Today was amazing. If you asked me how I thought the day would go at 3:40, I wouldn't have said it would be too amazing. You see, my 4 year old had thrown up a few times from about 9:50 on, and 3:40 was the last time she threw up....in our bed. So, she slept on the couch, I sat in the recliner, and I thought and prayed about a lot of things.
Over the past few months, I have made changes in my life. I've lost weight, I've started to change habits of laziness that were ingrained in me for most of my life. But for the last couple of weeks, I've felt frustrated. A lot of it was because of my attitude, but a lot of it is some real struggles and questions I've been wrestling with.
Since I was 5, I've played the piano. I've always sang, and always loved music. I was probably about 4 when I made up my first song. "Try God". The inspiration came from a pin I had. "Try God, try God, you'll like Him." Yeah. Real deep. But I've messed around with making up my own music, but didn't really have teachers that encouraged me to. Just play the music on the page. When I got to high school, my choir director asked me if I read chords. My response? What are chords? Once I learned how to read chords and play based on the chord symbols, my musical life changed. This new dimension and world opened up to me. But still, I didn't really feel the push or encouragement to compose music. In college I did, but I compared myself to others, and gave up quickly when things got challenging, a habit that I'm working on breaking.
Fast forward to 3 months ago. I really felt this tug to write more. Why? I don't know. But, I wrote some things that I had in my head, and shared them and got positive feedback! I continued to work more and more, and create things that I'm extremely proud of. I've shared my recent work with others who I respect, and who know the publishing world, and I got some great feedback and encouragement.
But then comes today. I received 2 challenging and changing Facebook messages. One was from a gentleman who has written handbell solos, but doesn't know how to write piano accompaniments, and asked for my help. The other was from the director of the Philadelphia Bronze Handbell Ensemble. They're a community group in Philadelphia. They're doing music that is based on colors and she was wanting something with red in the title. Umm....WHAT? YOU WANT ME? Wow! Talk about an exciting opportunity! It may be an arrangement of a song (my suggestion is Red, Red Wine by UB40) or my own composition. But it needs to be a level 4-5 (really challenging) piece. Due by January. Can I do it? Absolutely! But there are voices of doubt. There always are. But I am surrounded by this amazing network of encouragers and I know that I will get something together that will be amazing.
But wait....there's more! Remember my day started at 3:40? Yeah, I haven't. I'm still feeling it. In the past, when I didn't get a good night's sleep, or was pretty worn out, I would be extremely unproductive. In changing habits, I worked my tail off today picking up, cleaning up, doing laundry, doing dishes. I'm not saying this to toot my horn. It's something that I wouldn't have done in the past, but in trying to change my mindset and thanks to being challenged by my awesome coach Liz Clark, I want to be awesome in every way I can, not just average. An average Craig would have just rested, done nothing. But an awesome Craig did a whole lot around the house, put his family first, and is ready to go to bed!! :-)
Today has been a great day. It may not be exactly A life-changing day, but it's a step in that direction. And every day that goes another step in being the best husband, father, friend, musician, servant, leader that I can be, that's life-changing. Every day that I eat the right things and exercise, that's turning around all of those years of self-centered neglect of my body. I'm on my way to awesome. Do you want to join?
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