During this month, I have seen a number of posts on Facebook
about what everyone is thankful for. Many of them included family members or
friends they are thankful for, which is indeed a wonderful blessing, but this
year I thought I would write about something different that I am thankful for –
the gift of music.
Music has been a very important part of my life. I started
taking piano lessons at 6 years old, joined choir in elementary school and also
was involved in dance at a young age. When I was little I didn’t really like
practicing the piano or going to my lessons, but now I really appreciate that
my parents encouraged me to play an instrument. Adam and I now have my keyboard
that I learned on and I really enjoy playing now more so than I did as a child.
Music for me is a stress reliever. When I feel overwhelmed, I can spend hours
at the piano learning a new piece or taking out old music that I have enjoyed
over the years. There are even songs in church that I relate to and have come
to love. “On Eagles Wings” in one song in particular that is special to my
family and I. It was a song that was played at two of my uncles’ funerals, so
anytime I hear it I always think of them. Music can be very moving and I love
that it can be passed on to new generations. I look forward to someday teaching
my own children music and hope they will love it as much as I do.
When I was 16, my parents got me an acoustic guitar. Twelve
years later I have yet to learn how to play! Except for one or two easy songs,
I haven’t taken the time to learn the instrument. Next year, as my new year’s
resolution, I am hoping to take time to learn how to play. I am hoping to have
an appreciation for the guitar as I have with piano. I feel music really is a
blessing and a gift and certainly don’t want to take it for granted.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Purposeful Prayer
Prayers are an important part of our relationship with God,
but they are just words unless we pray with purpose. This week in class we will
be talking about worshiping God and how to do so we have to pray with our whole
heart. Some of the prayers we say in Mass are routine for parishioners that it
can be easy to just say the words without considering their meaning. I am
guilty of doing this and recently I have been trying to focus more on what the
words in our prayers mean. I feel like this can be practiced in other parts of
our life. We need to have the right intentions when we are helping others and
not expect things in return. We can have the appearance of being a good person
and behaving in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, but only He knows our true
intentions and what is in our heart.
The past few weeks have been challenging for me and I have found myself not turning to God when I really need Him. I’ve been letting the stress of work get to me and instead of turning to Him, I’ve been trying to deal with it on my own. Now that things have calmed down a little I’ve had time to reflect and realize I need to stop thinking I can solve these problems. I think I will continue to learn ways bring all things to Him—both good and bad—and He will help guide me and learn how to find peace in even stressful situations. I have always been one to worry about what other people think of me and making a good impression on others. I need to keep in mind that as long as I am working hard and putting my heart into my work, it will be pleasing to the Lord. In the end, that is what really matters.
The past few weeks have been challenging for me and I have found myself not turning to God when I really need Him. I’ve been letting the stress of work get to me and instead of turning to Him, I’ve been trying to deal with it on my own. Now that things have calmed down a little I’ve had time to reflect and realize I need to stop thinking I can solve these problems. I think I will continue to learn ways bring all things to Him—both good and bad—and He will help guide me and learn how to find peace in even stressful situations. I have always been one to worry about what other people think of me and making a good impression on others. I need to keep in mind that as long as I am working hard and putting my heart into my work, it will be pleasing to the Lord. In the end, that is what really matters.
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