Blessing #1

I've often thought about starting a blog, however, I've always associated blogs with married couples so I haven't dared to start my own since, let's face it, we single folks just aren't as interesting without all the cute pictures of kids or grandkids that other's blogs possess :) Recently though, I decided I would start one anyway.

So...here it is. I want to use this blog as a gratitude journal of sorts. I seem to never have time to write in my journal and yet find plenty of time to waste on Facebook, iTunes, etc. So I figured I'd be more likely to write if it were on a blog since I'm on my computer so much anyway. Plus, I can make it cute, so really it's a win/win situation ;)

Anyway, let the counting of blessings begin. Blessing #1 for me today is...drumroll please....MUSIC! I have a somewhat small, no, maybe a medium...okay, perhaps a large obsession with music. For example, I got a new job a few weeks ago and discovered that I did not have speakers on my new computer. Let's just say, I was quite distraught. I brought headphones the next day and listened to music during my lunch breaks for the next week. Luckily, a week later, speakers were ordered and all was well in the work world again :)

Music has the ability to calm me when I am down and has often given me a more positive perspective on life. The lyrical and instrumental combinations speak to me in ways that other things often cannot. I like to find songs that carry positive messages. I've been on a Christian music craze as of late because of the messages that are conveyed in the lyrics. Although she's not a Christian artist, I wanted to share a verse from a Carrie Underwood song titled "Temporary Home" that particularly touched me recently.

Old man, hospital bed,
The room is filled with people he loves.
And he whispers don't cry for me,
I'll see you all someday.
He looks up and says, "I can see God's face.

This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This was just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know... this was
My temporary home.

This is our temporary home.

The first time I heard this song, I had a flashback of being in a hospital room myself, holding my grandpa's hand as he was preparing to leave this "temporary home." I remember feeling so incredibly sad for not spending more time with him. But as the song states, and as I know, my time with my grandpa has not really come to an end. I will see him again. This life is our temporary home, until we return to our Father in Heaven. How grateful I am for having this knowledge.

Anyway, I could go on for hours about several other songs, but this post would likely become quite burdensome to read. So I'll end with a quote I found about music that rings true to my life:

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed,

Soothes the mind and gives it rest,

Heals the heart and makes it whole,

Flows from Heaven to the soul."