A change in perspective

The neurons in my brain have been firing at literally 100's of miles per hour this afternoon. (Ok, that's an exaggeration, but I have been about as excited as Lesley Knope when she comes up with a new project, so I figure it's a valid statement.)  I am feeling really inspired today and I wanted to blog about it.

The last few days I've felt a bit down, for no particular reason that I could determine. Maybe it's the sinus cold I'm battling, or maybe the downturn in the recent temperature. Whatever the reason, I just hadn't been feeling that optomistic, and I don't like getting into that funk.

Things started to take an uptick yesterday afternoon as I was getting ready to leave work. One of my co-workers made a comment that the sunset was really beautiful last night. As the days have gotten shorter, the sunset begins before I get out of the office. There is a window behind my desk, and I look out that window several times a day. Last night, I glanced out the window, and I was inspired! The sunset truly was beautiful, with shades of deep pink, orange and even some blue. Between the office and the sunset stands a grove of trees, and the contrast of the dark branches and the colorful sunset was really breathtaking.

As some of you may know, I like to crochet. My grandma patiently taught me how to crochet, and I've been doing so for several years. I've recently began picking it up again as I'm feeling creative and it's a good winter project. Looking at the sunset, I was inspired to search out these colors to make something with them. I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to make quite yet, but I'm excited about the prospect. And all of this because I looked out a window I walk by every day.

So this event got the ball rolling for me, and then today happened.  I was first inspired at our monthly staff meeting. Our company has a president who doesn't live in Des Moines, so he only gets back to visit every month or so. When he is in town he likes to stop by and visit. Today he was in town for our meeting, and he got up to talk about life and his take on things. Our president has shared in the past stories about his grandson. His grandson is autistic and isn't able to speak or communicate in a traditional way. They have made progress with him in the past few years, but at almost 12 he's still had to carry around a large book full of symbols in order to communicate his needs, etc.

Today our president shared an update on his grandson. A few months ago they purchased an I-pad for him, and for hundreds of hours his daughter programed symbols into the I-pad to help her son communicate. Our president shared that his grandson has been able to manuver the I-pad, and in a way it's really helped him to communicate faster. Our president was sharing that recently, he was at his daughter's having dinner with his grandson. Our president was talking with his daughter, and he made a comment that he might take his grandson to the car wash, as that's one of the activities he enjoys. They continued on with their conversation, when a few minutes later they heard a computerized voice come from the I-pad. "I'd like to go to the car wash, please." To think that in just a few months, an autistic boy who couldn't find a way to communicate without carrying around a heavy book full of symbols has found a breakthrough with the help of technology.

This really got me to thinking about what we take for granted and how grateful we really should be for what we have. How a little change in perspective can really change your whole outlook. My mood has been improving throughout the day after hearing this story. I realize that while things may get me down from time to time, there's always something to keep you in the right mindset and to motivate. It's amazing what a little change of perspective can do for your spirit!

As if that wasn't enough, this afternoon I received an e-mail from one of my favorite people in the world, my friend Kim Welch. Kim and I have been friends since we began college together fourteen years ago (crazy to believe it's been that many years!) and she has one of the brightest spirits of anyone I know. Kim is married to my favorite roommate of all time, Chris Welch. Chris and Kim make an amazing, dynamic duo of awesomeness and I'm so blessed to list them among my friends.

Not only are the Welch's great friends of mine, but they are also great parents. Chris and Kim have twins, Ezra and Ella. Ezra and Ella were born prematurely, but that hasn't stopped them in the slightest. Not only are they surviving, but they are thriving! I adore both of them and am always amazed to hear of their latest adventures.

Which brings me to the e-mail I received today. Kim had sent me an e-mail talking about picking up the kids from preschool, and seeing their latest art projects. This week the kids had made reindeer to hang on the wall. Kim sent the following picture along with her e-mail.

Now, looking at this picture you might laugh. I know at first I chuckled at the creativity that Ella displayed with her version of Rudolph. And then I read further. Kim said when she asked Ella why the reindeer's antlers were on the bottom of her artwork.  Ella giggled and said "Those are his feet, silly."

I was blown away by this story! I couldn't stop smiling, and I was reminded of how sometimes kids are the best example of what a small change in perspective can do. I'm so grateful to know I have these reminders in life. If you're ever feeling out of sorts or lost for a purpose, spend some time with a child. I guarantee you will receive some perspective on life and you'll have some fun too.

I hope this post gives you the small dose of perspective you may have needed today. Be inspired, create something amazing, or just do something good for someone else. Take the first step towards something great. And always remember that you always have something to be thankful for.

What I'm Listening to Wednesday (December 7, 2011)

It's another Wednesday, and another blog post from me regarding the music filling my head as I type. My choices this week range from new and popular to gone but not forgotten choices, and a few in between. And I've added them to my spotify "What I'm Listening to Wednesday" playlist, so feel free to check them out.

1. Remember the Time- Michael Jackson.  Lately there have been a lot of shows that I watch covering some of the classic MJ songs. He's been covered on the Sing Off, the X-Factor and on Glee in the past few weeks, so it's been great to revisit some classics from the King of Pop. Sadly, none of these shows have taken on one of my very favorites, "Remember the Time." I still remember this video and could watch it any time. Plus I play this song on repeat regularly. I sometimes have to force myself to change the song, as this one will always be a classic for me.

2. Jingle Bells: Michael Buble' and the Puppini Sisters.  If you haven't heard the new Michael Buble' Christmas album yet you really need to stop what you're doing and check it out. This is some classic Christmas music right here, and it's certainly gotten me into the holiday spirit! Every song on this collection is excellent and sounds both current and timeless. I enjoy several of the songs, but I decided to call out "Jingle Bells" for it's spotlight not only on Michael Buble', but also on an under-appreciated trio called the Puppini Sisters. No, they aren't actually sisters, and their last name isn't Puppini, but that's not important. What is important is their sound. They are a trio of beautiful-voiced women who sing in a throwback style. They blend perfectly with Michael Buble' and deserve more recognition for their own albums. They have their own excellent Christmas album which is also worth a few listens.

3. You Da One: Rihanna. The latest release from Rihanna, "Talk that Talk," is another collection of great pop/R&B songs that showcase Rihanna's voice and that can get the party started too. The album mixes elements from her Good Girl Gone Bad and Rated R albums to great effect. "You Da One" is the first song on the disc and it's a sweet love song to "the one that I dream about all day" and it makes me smile, so that's why I'm including it on my list this week.

4. Dream On: Robyn.  Robyn is a really cool artist from the UK who's got a following in the US, but not enough in my opinion. She's an intellegent pop artist who sings amazing songs that make you both dance and think. She toured with Katy Perry this summer and she released an album called "Body Talk" which gained her a lot of critical acclaim. The song "Dream On" is actually on her 2008 release called "Robyn." I really enjoy the lyrics of the song. She's singing to the freaks, the junkies, the drunks and cowards, etc. She sings to "rest your weary head" and dream on. I like the message of peace that creates in my head.

5. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (2011): Amy Winehouse.  I started the list with a gone but not forgotten classic, and I end the list with another. The last album from Amy Winehouse was released yesterday, and includes a few alternate versions of songs from her Back in Black album as well as a few B-sides and non-released singles. The whole collection is beautiful, and the song that is really getting me right now is her cover of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." Amy's talent was truly a gift, and it's still so tragic to think that this will be the last official collection of music from such a young soulful voice. You can hear the pain and anguish in her voice as she sings the chorus of the song. The answer of course is that Amy, we will still love you tomorrow, but we'll miss you terribly too.

What I'm Listening to Wednesday (on Thursday!)

Well, this posting is a bit late, as I went to see Wicked last night and wasn’t able to type up a blog posting once I got home. So I’ll be telling you what I listened to on Wednesday on this Thursday, the first of December.  I’ve once again been listening to an eclectic mix of music, so hopefully one or more of these options will introduce you to something worth adding to your regular mix.

 Here are my choices this week:

1.       Fly- Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.  Nicki just received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and listening to her it’s obvious that she’s made quite an impression on the hip-hop and music scenes.  Nicki is very vibrant, edgy and fun all mixed together.  With her latest single, she partners with Rihanna on a mid-tempo song that shows off more of her heart.  It’s a positive message song about going for your goals, and Rihanna’s soaring vocals on the chorus really compliment the melody and Nicki’s raps. Definitely a highlight from an album full of hits.

 2.       Countdown- Beyonce’.  I will admit that when Beyonce’ released her latest album, “4” I didn’t go quite as overboard as several of the critics claiming it was her best work yet.  However, over the past few months this album has really grown on me and I appreciate the artistic choices Beyonce’ has made as she continues to grow in her career. “Countdown” is one of my favorite songs on this album (after Love on Top, which I can play on repeat for days if I choose to) and the syncopated rhythms in this song get stuck in my head every time I hear it. Plus, the lyric “Me and my Boo and my boof-boof ridin’” is silly and also gets the repeat treatment in my mind.  If you ever catch me nodding my head randomly, it’s quite possible that I’m singing this in my head.

 3.       On the Street Where You Live- Willie Nelson.  On a recent trip to the library I picked up the soundtrack to the movie “Valentine’s Day.” The soundtrack is full of an eclectic mix of love songs, but original numbers and covers of classics.  One of my favorites is definitely the cover of “On the Street Where you Live,” which is famously known from the musical “My Fair Lady.”  Willie lends his unmistakable voice to this classic, and it’s a really lovely version of the song. I can be a sentimental fool when it comes to love songs, and this song just makes me happy. To hear someone sing that they are content just knowing they are on the same street where you live is a very nice sentiment in my book.

 4.       Defying Gravity- Idina Menzel.  Well, I told you I went to see Wicked last night, and this is my favorite song from the entire show. There are several stand-out numbers in the production, but this show stopper from the end of act one always gets me.  The lyrics and message are so powerful, and Idina’s voice is a classic. Putting the two elements together makes for one amazing experience. 

5.       Don’t Stop (Color the Walls) – Foster the People.  I know I posted a song by FTP a few weeks ago, but I can’t stop listening to this CD.  I’ve lately been listening to this track, and it also puts me into a good mood. The song is also used in a commercial, so I hear it on TV as well. I can’t remember the exact commercial at the time, but that isn’t important anyway.  I enjoy the rhythm of this song and the chorus is catchy and repetitive, which means it also gets stuck in your brain.  I wouldn’t be surprised if I eventually recommend every song on this disc, so keep that in mind. Or do yourself a favor and just get the disc now. It makes a great Christmas present!