sing out loud!

I spend three hours driving most days ~ I know crazy, huh? That's what happens when you become a married country girl who decides to go to nursing school. Don't think I don't remember my days on the 38 Muni in San Francisco as a single, city girl with fondness because I do. A couple of weeks ago when I was searching for some more "breathing room" in my days, I decided (with the encouragement of my Visalia Less Drama Queens) to stop multi-tasking when I drive and spend the time listening to music, driving in silence and/or reflecting on my day. I must admit I haven't been totally successful with my new resolution but when I do it ~ it's bliss.

So, yesterday I'm driving down the road listening to the 70's station on Sirius and "Sing!" by Karen Carpenter came on the radio. It brought me back to circa 1973 ~ I was swinging and singing at the top of my lungs out in our backyard with the audience of me, myself and I. I was full of life and I was content. After all, I was singing out loud and at the ripe ol' age of 7, I knew it was my favorite song. I'm here to tell you I don't have the voice of angels - but I do love belting them out with the likes of Celine.

Of course, I know the words by heart but yesterday these words really hit home and I thought each and every one of us needs our own song to SING:

Sing, sing a song,
sing out loud, sing out strong.
Sing of good things not bad,
sing of happy not sad.
Sing, sing a song.

Make it simple to last your whole life long,
Don't' worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear.
Just sing, sing a song,
Just sing, sing a song,
Just sing, sing a song.

Sing, sing a song,
let the world sing along.
Sing of love there could be.
Sing for you and for me,
sing of the best there could be.
Sing, sing a song.

Make it simple to last your whole life long,
Don't' worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear.
Just sing, sing a song,
Just sing, sing a song,
Just sing, sing a song.

Just a little side note ~ "Sing" was written by Joe Raposo, a staff songwriter for Sesame Street. No wonder it was my favorite at age 7.

So, here's what I'm thinking. It's time you and I became lyricists and wrote our own theme song. Are you willing to take a time out this week? Take the time to reflect on the stuff of life that energizes you, that pumps you up, that inspires you. I dare you to write your own song. Make sure to add the good things...the happy...the stuff that your dreams are made of. Remember as you sit down to compose ~ that Joe says to make it simple to last your whole life long.

Once it's written, I want us to sing it like nobody's listening. I want us to sing of the best. I want us to sing for you and for me and don't forget to sing of the love there could be...Just sing, sing a song! It might sound a bit corny but I'm knowing there's gonna be power in it.

Are you with me on this? Are you willing to let your creative juices flow? If you're in one of my Less Drama Queen groups ~ Guess what? You will get the opportunity live and in person to write your song. I'm gonna use my drive time this week to reflect on this. You can bet my song will include some of these good things:

be real. be true. take time to breathe. love on brad. be still sometimes. the ocean waves are salve to my soul. don't rush. always give thanks for my girlfriends. don't forget that God gives abundantly. create. wait with an expectant heart. share with others. be generous. play hard. laugh lots. live well. thrive.

I can feel my song welling up in my heart as I write. If you're daring, please share your song with us via email or facebook. If you're really daring ~ invite your gal pals over for a song writing party over a glass of wine...how fun would that be?

My heart sings,
Cindy

It's been proven...Dreams are not impossible!

Wise words shared by some wise women (Denise and Alisha) in my life this week...
"You can get through a difficult situation, if it's the right thing to do."
"Breaking through is hard. Hoping for something more, something better and working like crazy in that direction...it doesn't come easy, going after something better."

3 tests in one day, 5 hours of "busy work" homework, one presentation, clients, a welcomed-out-of-town guest, and an 18 page researched care-plan due plus life...that's what was on my plate this past week. I cite this list, not for pity's sake, but as a reminder to myself to keep perspective.

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed last Thursday when I had 2 conversations that put my perspective back in place. These conversations with dear people (that are having some real life challenges thrown their way) made my heart take a step back and decide to leave it's woe-is-me moments behind and choose gratefulness. It is the season.

I'm thankful to be at the end of my second semester of nursing school - with only 2 semesters left. I'm thankful to own a business that gives meaning to life and has great potential. I'm thankful to have a super, supportive husband and family...and I can't forget to be thankful for my oh-so-amazing rock-star girlfriends. I'm so grateful!

This article posted by one of my girls on facebook really gave me a grateful heart and a new perspective (not to mention brought tears to my eyes). "WOW", this woman gives new meaning to triumph.

www.tiny.cc/triumphantdreamer

What dreams do you have that seem impossible? That's not a rhetorical question. I dare you to take a moment to answer it.

As the author says, "Any time anyone tells you that a dream is impossible, any time you're discouraged by impossible challenges, just mutter this mantra: Tererai Trent." Thank you Tererai Trent for giving us perspective. Thank you for giving us hope.

Grateful,
Cindy

P.S. I couldn't resist this picture of Thanksgiving. Everyone loves Big Bird, right?



cindy@lessdrama.com
www.lessdramaqueens.com

I have a dream, do you?

We are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today - how appropriate on the eve of the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

I just had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Martin Luther King's speech (in it's entirety) that he gave on the National Mall on August 28, 1963. Wow - that was powerful! It's been publicly tagged the "I have a dream" speech. Tomorrow's inauguration promises to bring his dream closer to reality. Yay!

Dreams are powerful stuff. They can provide us with compass points for our lives. I'm wondering "Do you have a dream?" What is it? How many dreams do you have?

I dare you to take 5 minutes this week and ponder your dream. I dare you to write down your dream on an index card and post it somewhere you will see it everyday. I dare you to think about a do-able action step that will bring you closer to your dream. I dare you to take that action step in the next 2 weeks. I dare you to email me (cindy@lessdrama.com) and tell me what your dream is. I double dare you to tell me what your action step is - What you will do? When will you do it? How will I know you've done it?

If you share your dream with me, I promise I will let you in on my dream and my action step for the week that will bring me closer to it =)

Pondering the stuff dreams are made of,
Cindy

Dare to Dance

I dare you to get a bit silly this week - it's time to dance.  Dance like no one is watching :-).  Dance by yourself.   Dance with a friend.  Dance with someone special.  Dance with your dog.  Just dance!  Dancing is good for the heart (physically, emotionally and spiritually).  Take at least 5 minutes this week and dance.

Check out Matt's dancing video on the youtube gadget to the side of this post.  Search "Dancing 2008".  Click on it and be inspired to dance. Please visit Matt's website and read "All about Matt" (it's an interesting read).

www.wherethehellismatt.com

Dancing just for fun,

Cindy

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else.  I try only to dance better than myself."  Mikhail Barshynikov

"When the music changes, so does the dance." African Proverb

"Go out in the world and work like money doesn't matter, sing as if no one is listening, love as if you have never been hurt an dance as if no one is watching."  Anonymous

"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.  It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.  It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give.  And the soul afraid of dying never learns to live."  Bette Midler