Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Just Open The Door

#RewindWeek from May 2012


If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” - Eleanora Duse

There is a great song that many of you are probably familiar with titled Mr. Blue Sky, written by Jeff Lynne and performed by the group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). In a BBC Radio interview, Jeff Lynne talked about how he came up with this song.

He had been staying in a Swiss chalet trying to write his bands next album after release of the previous album A New World Record. As he says, "It was dark and misty for 2 weeks, and I didn't come up with a thing. Suddenly the sun shone and it was, 'Wow, look at those beautiful Alps.' I wrote Mr. Blue Sky and 13 other songs in the next 2 weeks."

A blue sky to lift our spirits is like a smile upon someone's face when they greet you.

It is the ability of kindness to make your day better. It all starts with a simple gesture or sky of blue. And while I have this song in my head, another song by the same group comes to mind. A song which speaks about picking ourselves up and getting on with it.

While a blue sky may appear, we also need to do something about it. We have to create movement in order to create a better life for ourselves. See those lyrics below from a song titled The Diary of Horace Wimp. See if it helps create inspiration in your life.

The Diary Of Horace Wimp by Jeff Lynne

Monday
Late again, today,
He'd be in trouble though he'd say he was sorry,
He'd have to hurry out to the bus.

Tuesday
Horace was so sad,
He'd never had a girl that he could care for
And if he was late once more, he'd be out.

Don't be afraid, just knock on the door,
Well he just stood there mumblin' and fumblin'.
Then a voice from above said -
"Horace Wimp, this is your life,
Go out and find yourself a wife.
Make a stand and be a man,
And you will have a great life plan."

Wednesday
Horace met a girl,
She was small and she was very pretty,
He thought he was in love, he was afraid.

Thursday:
Asks her for a date,
The cafe down the street tomorrow evening,
His head was reeling, when she said "Yes O.K."

Friday
Horace, this is it,
He asks the girl if maybe they could marry,
When she says "gladly." Horace cries.

Sunday
Everybody's at the church,
When Horace rushes in and says
"Now here comes my wife, for the rest of my life." and she did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even when the dark and rainy clouds appear in your life, a blue sky sits just behind them. Get up and stay inspired my friends. Go out there and grab a great life. Go ahead and check out the following video of the song performed by ELO. Don't be afraid, just click on the play.

And stay inspired my friends!



Friday, April 22, 2016

Friday Pilgrim


I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.” ― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Guest blogger this Friday comes from my son Joe of Denver, Colorado. He loves music and no surprise today is all about one of his favorite artists. So sit back, listen and enjoy this lazy Friday afternoon.

And stay inspired my friends.

pil·grim ˈpilɡrəm/
noun
1. a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
synonyms: worshiper, devotee, believer
verb
1. travel or wander like a pilgrim.

Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, GA. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. Michael Houser and George McConnell have also played lead guitar for the band.

Since their inception in Athens, GA in 1986, Widespread Panic has risen to elite status among American jam bands. Following in the steps of other Southern rock jam bands such as The Allman Brothers, they have influences from the Southern rock, blues-rock, progressive rock, funk and hard rock genres.

They are frequently compared to other jam band "road warriors" such as the Grateful Dead and Phish. Widely renowned for their live performances, as of 2013, they hold the record for number of sold out performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO at 48 and Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA at 20.

Michael Houser was a founding member of the band and played lead guitar. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on August 10th, 2002. He will be forever remembered as the defining guitar sound and transitional genius for Widespread Panic.



www.widespreadpanic.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Walking For A Cause


You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Our son Jonathan has Crohns Disease and works every day to live a normal life. For over ten years he has dealt with this condition and has still succeeded in making it through high school, college and graduate school.

On May 7th, he takes a step in raising money to help combat this illness.

Will you help me me reach my goal in helping us raise some needed research dollars!

This year, I will be walking in the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Take Steps is CCFA's national walk the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. It is a casual 2-3 mile stroll to raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Over 1.6 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases. While many suffer in silence, Take Steps brings this community together in a fun, energetic and supportive atmosphere.

Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects.

This cause is very close to me and I appreciate your help as we fight for cures!

In addition to donating, you can join me at the event. There will be food, music and family activities. The more money we raise, the closer we will be to making life more manageable for patients who live with these diseases every day.

Please join me or donate in my efforts to support CCFA in finding cures!

Stay inspired my friends!

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Run, Buddy, Run


Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” ― Dean Karnazes

What do you do when the mob is after you? What if all the toils and troubles of life seem to be gaining the upper hand on you?

Run, Buddy, Run.

Keep moving, keep pressing forward in life and eventually those troubles will fade into the past. But you have to keep running.


Now that is advice we can all use.

Stay inspired my friends.