Christmas 2013

I love the simplicity of this hymn and appreciate singing it on Christmas Eve. This was a busy season this year with lots of activities, many in our home. I love the family, friends and fellowship that occurs this time of year. Goodwill towards all is in the air. May God Bless you as you celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent Night - The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village on the Salzach river. The young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had already written the lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau region, where Joseph had worked as a coadjutor.

The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. Before Christmas Eve, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the church service.^[1] Both performed the carol during the mass on the night of December 24.

The original manuscript has been lost. However a manuscript was discovered in 1995 in Mohr's handwriting and dated by researchers at ca. 1820. It shows that Mohr wrote the words in 1816 when he was assigned to a pilgrim church in Mariapfarr, Austria, and shows that the music was composed by Gruber in 1818. This is the earliest manuscript that exists and the only one in Mohr's handwriting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Night

March 25, 2013

I love these points from a blog I read recently.
I think this applies to all people, all professions! Change for me is an opportunity to grow.

Positively Present

Change makes you vulnerable. 

Change opens you up to new experiences. 

Change allows you to escape negativity. 

Change inspires you to start again. 

Change rids you of what you don't need. 

Change shows you just how strong you are. 

Change makes you accept what is out of your control. 

Change creates a climate of mindfulness. 

Change moves you into uncharted territory. 

Change frees you from the confines of routine. 

Change gives you a chance to seek freedom. 

Changes teaches you that everything is progress. 

Change saves you when you think all hope is lost. 

6 Simple Rituals To Reach Your Potential Every Day

I love this post-great tips on how to make the most of every day!

Becoming and staying productive isn't about hard-to-follow programs or logging your every move in an app. It's about self-care. Here are daily to-dos to get you started.

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6 Easy Resistance Band Exercises 

Some great stretching exercises to do every morning from Real Simple.


                                Or I could just shovel a bunch of snow!!

Achieving that Dream

"Discipline never feels good at the time, is always painful, will challenge you to the core, will entice you to quit, but if you want to hit the moon, there's no other way."
Shooting For The Moon (and Hitting It)

I loved this quote when I read it a few months ago from a Realtor's blog. To change, make a difference, feel accomplished and grow to one's highest goals - sacrifice needs to be made. And it often does not feel good when happening. 

If you ever get a second opportunity to correct an error in your life-take it, revel in it, try your best.

Ahh, but the joy and feeling of self success is so great. Comforting, enlightening, and encouraging. Dream big and hit that moon.

January 15, 2013