How to Save A Life

LIFE SAVER: 13

"Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life."

How to Save a Life 

The Fray

How do you save a life?  

Call 911? Perform CPR? Stand up for a friend? Be a shoulder to cry on?

All of the above.

I think everyone knows how to save a life.  Everyone has an internal voice that talks them through situations and experiences that helps them do the right thing at the right time. However, confidence and courage is what gives someone the will and ability to save a life.

Steps to gaining the confidence and courage to save a life:

1.  Listen.  Listen to yourself.  Your gut is a powerful voice and most of the time it's right.  Stop questioning what you already know is true.  Listen to your instincts and trust.

2.  Listen Again.  Talk less and listen more.  Many people feel alone in the world because people talk more about themselves and ask less about others.  People are ignorant to how powerful and important listening is.

3.  The Golden Rule: Treat people the way you want to be treated.  Following this rule will make a huge difference in your life and in others.  Empathy is a valuable characteristic to attain.  

4.  Act.  Do something about a problem.  Do something about injustice.  Do something with your passions.  You can make a big difference.  All you need is the will and the courage to put your thoughts and ambitions to a greater good. Believe it and take action.

Save a life.

Christmas Classics & Must Listens

Bing Crosby singing White Christmas in Holiday Inn

Zooey Deschanel singing Baby It's Cold Outside in Elf

Bobby Helms singing Jingle Bell Rock in Home Alone

Frank Sinatra singing I'll Be Home for Christmas

Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song

Kenny G playing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

These songs will put you in the Christmas mood.

Merry Christmas!!

A Legend

From /classescasesandchaos.blogspot.com

"I may sound old-fashioned, but I want to think all women should be treated like I want my wife, daughters, and granddaughters to be treated. I notice today that good manners—like standing up when a woman enters the room, helping a woman with her coat, letting her enter an elevator first, taking her arm to cross the street—are sometimes considered unnecessary or a throwback. These are habits I could never break, nor would I want to. I realize today a lot more women are taking care of themselves than in the past, but no woman is offended by politeness."

—Frank Sinatra

Music & Medicine

LIFE SAVER: 12

For those of you that are artists, feel the creative will in your bones, have a need to express your inner spirit, and are captivated by magical and transforming art, this video is for you.  If you are moved by a symphonic melody, a breathtaking version of the Nutcracker, or a photo that speaks a thousand words, you will understand the true beauty and healing effect that the arts, and particularly music, has on the mind, body, and soul.

But for those of you who need a new perspective, something to change your pace of life, or to open a new door in your life, I advise you to push play.  It couldn't hurt.  And maybe can just help.

Listen to Robert Gupta's riveting story of how music has affected his life.

May music or any art be your therapy.

Classic

From supersonicelectronic.com

Listen

LIFE SAVER: 10

When times are tough, unpredictable, stressful, and you want to pull out your hair because there is no other option in sight....

Sometimes all you need to do is listen.

Stop, Just Breath, and Listen.

Listen to silence, the sounds of the outdoors, or some great relaxing, rejuvenating tunes.

Birdy- People Help The People
Tracy Chapman- The Promise
Thomas Newman- That Next Place
Mumford & Sons- White Blank Pages
Ingrid Michaelson- Into You
Hans Zimmer- Time
Cary Brothers- Ordinary World
Rae Morris- Grow



And let yourself feel, think, and believe whatever it is that listening leads you to.

The Moulin Rouge Ballet

It was an amazing ballet.  A great night!

Mmm...Ingrid!

Last night I saw Ingrid Michaelson in concert.  She was A-Mazing!! I went with my wonderful husband and he was just as impressed as I.  I knew that the concert was going to be an inspiring night considering the first two times that I saw her she was just as flawless and spectacular.  This time seeing her was probably the best.  

Ingrid was on the guitar, piano, and the ukulele throughout the night.  She is such a talented musician.  Aside from her musical talent, she charmed the audience with her humorous and quirky personality.  She shared with the audience stories of being on tour and what lied behind impactful songs. She made us feel like her friend. She was comfortable with us and we definitely were with her.

The song of the night was a purely raw and acoustic version of "Ghost" with Ingrid on the piano.  The whole theatre was silent other than the plucks of the keys and Ingrid's magical yodals.  Her voice soared behind empty air and she wowed us all with this beautiful and intimate performance.

Thank you Ingrid for a beautiful night!  We couldn't take our eyes off of you.  You made us feel like we knew you.  It's a uniqueness in who you are and your music.  Mmm...makes you even more cool.

New Adele Song

News Just In.  Great New Adele Song.

Check it out Here from People.com!!!

Nothing But The Water (I)

A couple of weeks ago I heard this awesome song on a trailer for a new TV citcom.  I downloaded it, learned it, and here is my rendition of Nothing But the Water (I) by Grace Potter.

Grace Potter totally rocks it.

Enjoy!!

I love you, Mumford

The Mumford & Sons concert on August 18th in Dixon, Illinois, was the BEST concert I have ever seen.  Dixon, Illinois- rinky-dink town with a population of 13,000, exceeded its population last Saturday. Even though this town was quaint and quiet, they definitely did a STELLAR job of transforming their town into an outdoor folk music haven.  Vintage, graphic banners decorated the town while two large stages were planted in the middle of a large forest encased open field.  Vendors of food, merchandise, and trades accessorized the event. You could even listen to your very own radio station dedicated to the Gentleman's Tour on 1460 AM.  We were shuttled to the concert venue in a Lamers bus. Prompt and polite:).   I already loved the folk band but now I am borderline obsessed.  The new album is coming out next month and their music just gets better with time.  Here are some shots of our adventure to small old Dixon, Illinois.

Driving to Dixon, Illinois...

Shuttling to the music venue.

You think I'm excited??

The Home of the Dixon Duke and Duchess

"Gentleman of the Road"

A music festival surrounded by trees:)

I love willow trees.

"Where you invest your love, you invest your life."

I didn't get any close-ups of the band that night...other than on the jumbo screen.  But that wasn't as important as hearing the raw, magical, superbly-intune and driving sound of Mumford & Sons.  I couldn't help but get an emotional high off of every song that graced the stage that night.  I was awe-inspired.  I wanted to feel the rush of the music through my blood, and experience the energy that gave them life.  I wanted to live the music and be better than what I was.  I wanted to be the music like they were...are.  It was amazing.  Inspiring. And Beautiful.

Thank you Mumford & Sons.

I love you.

Event Alert!

Ingrid Michaelson. 

Meyer Theatre. 

October 7th 2012.  

Me and B.  

Way pumped!!!!!!!

Good Bye Searching for Romeo

Photo taken by Molly Kiefer

There are times in your life when something happens and it opens your eyes and shows you a new perspective on life, shows you something new about yourself or the world around you, and this Searching for Romeo musical experience has done that for me.  I have met some AMAZING people!!  I have met some great talent, some humble and pleasant personalities, and some ambitious and courageous souls.  I have learned so many things while being a part of this production.  I want to thank each and every one of you actors, directors, crew, and lover of the arts for making this show spectacular.  I will never forget this experience.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Searching for Romeo Behind the Scenes

This is a show and experience I will never forget!