It's so nice when you meet someone that finally gets it right. When one shade of gray reaches another shade of gray to recreate the dark, dismal picture that the world paints every day. New life, new perspective, new way of thinking. We get it. How come no one else does?
The black and white picture leaves so much out. The cold, hard facts of any situation must be infused with a kind, compassionate consideration for the human at the center of the controversy. My greatest hope for the human heart would be that it will always looks upon others with compassion, understanding, respect, and above all, the realization that everyone has a story. Everyone is going through something. Everyone is in a different place on their journey to accepting what has or has not happened to them and deciding where to go from here. Before you judge, reach out. Don't have an opinion on something that is none of your concern. Never speak out against someone with malice in your words that they don't need to hear from you.Chances are, they get that from everyone else already and probably even from themselves.
Instead, manifest that energy by promoting love and acceptance. Offer support instead of advice. Program your mind to speak words that lift others up and inspire them to make the same changes in their own lives. We're all here. We're all confused. We're all stressed and worried and trying to make it through to the light at the end of the tunnel. Make the conscious effort to be the person that makes the journey of someone else easier. Even a little bit. Because those seemingly insignificant acts of kindness ignite the spectrum at the end of the tunnel. Let's make it burn our eyes.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
2.6.12
8. Cancer sucks.
If you know me at all, you know how much respect I have for my mom. She was my greatest caretaker during my nearly three year experience with cancer. Cancer took a toll on her body as well as mine. After my surgeries, she was litreally my strength when I had none. She had many more sleepless nights than me. She scrutinized over every pill that came in a plastic cup for me. She knew every prescrition, every dosage, every chemotherapy agent, and every set of hands that came near my port or near my body. She was my everything. And she will always be that for me.
I am most proud of my mom not when she is talking about me, but when she is talking about her professional career. Cindy McNeil, Speech Language Pathologist. Top notch, caring, empathetic, the real deal. If it were my husband or my family member lying in that bed dealing with the devestating residuals of a stroke, I would want her on my side. In the midst of a job change, she has been in a workshop all day. She's been telling me all night about her day. The big wigs from the company spent the day blowing smoke about providing top of the line care for their patients. "We want our patients to remember Grace Hopsital. We want them to remember great food, a nice bed, good experience with people." These are the men in suits, sitting behind desks, spending their day writing mission statements and figuring out how to make themselves some money. My mom is the real life application of their so called mission statement. The provider in patient's rooms trying to facilitate healing and progress for great candidates to recover and return home. My mom spoke up. She was the voice for so many struggling, some of them even being her own patients. She told him that, after being on the recieving end of a fight for a loved one's life, a cheeseburger or a bed doesn't mean a hill of beans. What matters is compassionate people providing real care.
Mom's stories of how patients are treated and how the buisness end of healthcare often encroaches on the real life application of people fighting for their lives inspires me. I'm not sure where I'm meant to be, but it is my greatest hope that I get to spend my life advocating for patients and their families. Supporting patients on both a personal and professional level. Making a difference where I see changes that need to be made. Am I capable? Is that where I'm meant to be? I guess time will tell. I'm down to give it a go, you in?
With Love,
Sarah
If you know me at all, you know how much respect I have for my mom. She was my greatest caretaker during my nearly three year experience with cancer. Cancer took a toll on her body as well as mine. After my surgeries, she was litreally my strength when I had none. She had many more sleepless nights than me. She scrutinized over every pill that came in a plastic cup for me. She knew every prescrition, every dosage, every chemotherapy agent, and every set of hands that came near my port or near my body. She was my everything. And she will always be that for me.
I am most proud of my mom not when she is talking about me, but when she is talking about her professional career. Cindy McNeil, Speech Language Pathologist. Top notch, caring, empathetic, the real deal. If it were my husband or my family member lying in that bed dealing with the devestating residuals of a stroke, I would want her on my side. In the midst of a job change, she has been in a workshop all day. She's been telling me all night about her day. The big wigs from the company spent the day blowing smoke about providing top of the line care for their patients. "We want our patients to remember Grace Hopsital. We want them to remember great food, a nice bed, good experience with people." These are the men in suits, sitting behind desks, spending their day writing mission statements and figuring out how to make themselves some money. My mom is the real life application of their so called mission statement. The provider in patient's rooms trying to facilitate healing and progress for great candidates to recover and return home. My mom spoke up. She was the voice for so many struggling, some of them even being her own patients. She told him that, after being on the recieving end of a fight for a loved one's life, a cheeseburger or a bed doesn't mean a hill of beans. What matters is compassionate people providing real care.
Mom's stories of how patients are treated and how the buisness end of healthcare often encroaches on the real life application of people fighting for their lives inspires me. I'm not sure where I'm meant to be, but it is my greatest hope that I get to spend my life advocating for patients and their families. Supporting patients on both a personal and professional level. Making a difference where I see changes that need to be made. Am I capable? Is that where I'm meant to be? I guess time will tell. I'm down to give it a go, you in?
With Love,
Sarah
Thursday, January 26, 2012
1.26.12
7. My last band competition, two weeks ago, was legit one of the most incredible days of my life. Once again, more to come on that later.
Saturday, November 5. I sleepily rolled out of bed at 6:00 a.m. I bundled up for the insanely cold weather that so effortlessly says "marching band season". On the way to FTF, I cried and cried and cried. Lots of tears. Some of them were sad, sad that this was my last marching band competition. Sad that this was the last time we would feel the commraderie that can only come from marching a show we've worked on for months on end. Some of them were happy. Happy that I have had this opportunity. Happy that I have met my Foard Tiger Band members and happy that in the midst of change, they always keep my feet on the ground. Some of them were senior year tears. Tears of disbelief that this was it. Another ending, opening the door to a lot of firsts yet to come.A trip to Starbucks with my other half completed the morning. The barista- "Hey, you guys are both named Sarah! And you're wearing the same shirt!" Our reply- "Yes, we're pretty much twins!"
At North Davidson, we left all our hearts on the field and took home a grand champion trophy. That awesome awesome award came no where near to how I felt. The emotion that day was real, real tears and lots and lots of real laughter. I'm so completely grateful for my marching band experience, however different it may have been. Regardless of if I continue on with music in college, I will always have November 5th.
And my last tear shed that day would be during our performance, looking up to see our gorgeous drum major doing her thing one last time and our amazing band parents crying and laughing and experiencing the performance right there with us. Moment of a life time.
Happy Friday Eve! How was your week? Hope you smiled a lot and cried a little and lived it all!
With Love,
Sarah
Saturday, November 5. I sleepily rolled out of bed at 6:00 a.m. I bundled up for the insanely cold weather that so effortlessly says "marching band season". On the way to FTF, I cried and cried and cried. Lots of tears. Some of them were sad, sad that this was my last marching band competition. Sad that this was the last time we would feel the commraderie that can only come from marching a show we've worked on for months on end. Some of them were happy. Happy that I have had this opportunity. Happy that I have met my Foard Tiger Band members and happy that in the midst of change, they always keep my feet on the ground. Some of them were senior year tears. Tears of disbelief that this was it. Another ending, opening the door to a lot of firsts yet to come.A trip to Starbucks with my other half completed the morning. The barista- "Hey, you guys are both named Sarah! And you're wearing the same shirt!" Our reply- "Yes, we're pretty much twins!"
At North Davidson, we left all our hearts on the field and took home a grand champion trophy. That awesome awesome award came no where near to how I felt. The emotion that day was real, real tears and lots and lots of real laughter. I'm so completely grateful for my marching band experience, however different it may have been. Regardless of if I continue on with music in college, I will always have November 5th.
And my last tear shed that day would be during our performance, looking up to see our gorgeous drum major doing her thing one last time and our amazing band parents crying and laughing and experiencing the performance right there with us. Moment of a life time.
Happy Friday Eve! How was your week? Hope you smiled a lot and cried a little and lived it all!
With Love,
Sarah
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
1.25.12
Let's just pretend that nearly three months haven't passed without me blogging! Let's just pick up where we left off. That's what I love about you, you're never out of second chances (:
6. Today, Kayla left for her first music educator's conference. I'm so proud of her and what she has decided to do with her life.
I could talk about this girl all day. Kayla is one of the most amazing humans I've ever had the privillege to know. And it's not just because she's my sister. That's just an added bonus.
She's kind and honest. She's completely selfless. She has a beautiful disposition and outlook on life. She's better than me in so many ways. She's going to make an amazing teacher. Some really lucky elementary school kids are going to get an aweosme start to a life full of loving music because they've learned from the best. Although we joke about the pitiful pay check all the time, teaching, and especially teaching music, is one of the most beautiful things you can choose to do with your life. Many of the most influential people in my life have touched my heart by sharing their love of music with me. Their passion has motivated mine. So here's to all the teachers in my life and in this world. And here's to the best person I know and the girl I aspire to be: Kayla Marie McNeil! Oh, and by the way, you're really pretty! (:
With Love,
Sarah
6. Today, Kayla left for her first music educator's conference. I'm so proud of her and what she has decided to do with her life.
I could talk about this girl all day. Kayla is one of the most amazing humans I've ever had the privillege to know. And it's not just because she's my sister. That's just an added bonus.
She's kind and honest. She's completely selfless. She has a beautiful disposition and outlook on life. She's better than me in so many ways. She's going to make an amazing teacher. Some really lucky elementary school kids are going to get an aweosme start to a life full of loving music because they've learned from the best. Although we joke about the pitiful pay check all the time, teaching, and especially teaching music, is one of the most beautiful things you can choose to do with your life. Many of the most influential people in my life have touched my heart by sharing their love of music with me. Their passion has motivated mine. So here's to all the teachers in my life and in this world. And here's to the best person I know and the girl I aspire to be: Kayla Marie McNeil! Oh, and by the way, you're really pretty! (:
With Love,
Sarah
Sunday, November 20, 2011
11.20.11
5. Earlier, when I put "5 minutes later", my next sentence really was written five minutes later. No lie.
This is a hard one to elaborate on, but I think I'll talk about the importance of truth. The only thing we can totally control in our life is what we say and what we believe. Every morning when we wake up, we each have a decision to make. You can choose to speak kind words. You can choose to tell the truth. You can choose to keep it real. Remember that everything you say is a relection of your character, who you are. Choose your words carefully and decide to be a blessing to someone every day. You never know when you're going to change someone's life! (:
Hope you have had a fabulous weekend! Remember as we head into the week of Thanksgiving to tell the people love that you love them. Be a source of light for others. I am thaknkful for you (:
With Love,
Sarah
This is a hard one to elaborate on, but I think I'll talk about the importance of truth. The only thing we can totally control in our life is what we say and what we believe. Every morning when we wake up, we each have a decision to make. You can choose to speak kind words. You can choose to tell the truth. You can choose to keep it real. Remember that everything you say is a relection of your character, who you are. Choose your words carefully and decide to be a blessing to someone every day. You never know when you're going to change someone's life! (:
Hope you have had a fabulous weekend! Remember as we head into the week of Thanksgiving to tell the people love that you love them. Be a source of light for others. I am thaknkful for you (:
With Love,
Sarah
Thursday, November 17, 2011
11.17.11
4. I've watched This is It three times this weekend. Three! It's been on TV twice and I watched it once in between. Nothing makes me happier than an MJ song. Nothing.
"But I could have told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." -Vincent
I firmly believe in the validity of this statement. In case you've never heard it, this song by Don McLean was written and inspired by Van Goh. He talks about the genuis of his art, the scrutiny he lived under, the pressure put on him, and his own suicide. This line from the song has always fascinated me. I am a shades of gray person. I seem to always see everything a little bit differently. And apparently so does Don McLean.
I think Michael Jackson was one of those people that was just too beautiful for this world. From the age of five, his entire life was about pleasing others. He was a little boy living a working adult's life. Valued for what he could produce, not who he truly was. We have seen the effects of this lifestyle on many so called child stars. Brooke Shields, Elizabeth Taylor, Macully Culkin. All who were very close friends of Michael's. Despite his family's motives, a child is meant to play with dolls and go to school. Get good grades and do their chores. Not go to a recording studio, lay down a few tracks, fly accross the country to promote an album, fly back, and go to bed. Even though my ability to truly be an adolescent was cut short, I had an amazingly blessed childhood just by the simple fact that I got to have one. And for that I am truly grateful.
Michael's lifestyle was unorthodox to say the least. His life was plagued with scandal. From reports of sleeping in an oxygen chamber, bleaching his skin, plastic surgery, failed romances. You have to wonder how one person could deal with such scrutiny. So many vile words spoken against you can alter your entire psyche in a profound way. Enter shades of gray.
I have chosen to see him for who I believe he really was. An artist. Just like Van Goh. It always seems that those among us blessed with the ability to change the world are the ones whose lives are cut tragically short. Martin Luther King Jr. John Lennon. John F. Kennedy. Every one of these people changed the world in a profound way, brought something different to the table. Maybe in 1960's America, we weren't ready for these types of change. But, I would hope that in today's time, we would be open minded enough to accept the message Michael tried to evince. I think the tragedy of Michael's life was that people didn't appreciate him until after he was gone. Yes, he has the best selling record of all time. Yes, he sold over 140 million albums. Yes, he won award after award. These accomplishments don't even touch on the amazing impact his music and message has had on this world. Not concrete, but abstract. My favorite MJ song, behind Human Nature, is Heal the World. It is not his most well known song, but I have to believe that the person who wrote these beautiful lyrics had something to share with the world. You have the choice to believe what you want about him. You can listen to the tabloids, or you can listen to this song. Listen to the words and take them to heart. Maybe, just maybe, you can heed his advice and make a little room to make the world a better place. It starts with you. Choose to see the shades of gray. Honor his memory and open your mind. You may be surprised by what you have the capacity to understand.
"Children show me in their playful smiles the divine in everyone. This simple goodness shines straight from their hearts and only asks to be lived." -Michael Jackson
With Love,
Sarah
"But I could have told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." -Vincent
I firmly believe in the validity of this statement. In case you've never heard it, this song by Don McLean was written and inspired by Van Goh. He talks about the genuis of his art, the scrutiny he lived under, the pressure put on him, and his own suicide. This line from the song has always fascinated me. I am a shades of gray person. I seem to always see everything a little bit differently. And apparently so does Don McLean.
I think Michael Jackson was one of those people that was just too beautiful for this world. From the age of five, his entire life was about pleasing others. He was a little boy living a working adult's life. Valued for what he could produce, not who he truly was. We have seen the effects of this lifestyle on many so called child stars. Brooke Shields, Elizabeth Taylor, Macully Culkin. All who were very close friends of Michael's. Despite his family's motives, a child is meant to play with dolls and go to school. Get good grades and do their chores. Not go to a recording studio, lay down a few tracks, fly accross the country to promote an album, fly back, and go to bed. Even though my ability to truly be an adolescent was cut short, I had an amazingly blessed childhood just by the simple fact that I got to have one. And for that I am truly grateful.
Michael's lifestyle was unorthodox to say the least. His life was plagued with scandal. From reports of sleeping in an oxygen chamber, bleaching his skin, plastic surgery, failed romances. You have to wonder how one person could deal with such scrutiny. So many vile words spoken against you can alter your entire psyche in a profound way. Enter shades of gray.
I have chosen to see him for who I believe he really was. An artist. Just like Van Goh. It always seems that those among us blessed with the ability to change the world are the ones whose lives are cut tragically short. Martin Luther King Jr. John Lennon. John F. Kennedy. Every one of these people changed the world in a profound way, brought something different to the table. Maybe in 1960's America, we weren't ready for these types of change. But, I would hope that in today's time, we would be open minded enough to accept the message Michael tried to evince. I think the tragedy of Michael's life was that people didn't appreciate him until after he was gone. Yes, he has the best selling record of all time. Yes, he sold over 140 million albums. Yes, he won award after award. These accomplishments don't even touch on the amazing impact his music and message has had on this world. Not concrete, but abstract. My favorite MJ song, behind Human Nature, is Heal the World. It is not his most well known song, but I have to believe that the person who wrote these beautiful lyrics had something to share with the world. You have the choice to believe what you want about him. You can listen to the tabloids, or you can listen to this song. Listen to the words and take them to heart. Maybe, just maybe, you can heed his advice and make a little room to make the world a better place. It starts with you. Choose to see the shades of gray. Honor his memory and open your mind. You may be surprised by what you have the capacity to understand.
"Children show me in their playful smiles the divine in everyone. This simple goodness shines straight from their hearts and only asks to be lived." -Michael Jackson
With Love,
Sarah
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
11.16.11
Sorry for the missed day! I'll be playing catch up!
2. I have an insanely stressful project in the works right now. I had to read Wuthering Heights. If you are ever faced with the choice of reading that book or spraying an angry lion in the eyes with pepperspray, pick the lion. You might die, but at lest you won't have to have read this ridiculous travesty of a book. Two more days and it's over!
It's officially over! The project is through and I'm never giving a second thought to Wuthering Heights. Ever. Our presentation went relatively well. It was as boring as all get out, but so was everyone else's presentation. I'm really glad that if I had to do that awful presentation, I did it with the girls in my group. Thank you Sarah, Jen, Liz, A Lo, Paniah, and Sakaiya for making that project bearable. we did it! Now, on to the next project.... wish me luck!
3. My mom just called me from downstairs to ask what I was doing. She then asked if I would come downstairs and hang with her. I wouldn't trade moments like this for anything. She is my hero. I'm the luckiest girl
What can I say? My mom is my absolute hero. Everything I've learned about being strong, I've learned from her. She has done an amazing job raising her girls. She has been with me through every single crappy thing I've faced in seventeen years and every single happy moment as well.
On May 16, 2008 I sat in an orthopedic surgeon's office and was told that I had a malignancy that appeared to be Eewing's Sarcoma. The last thing they did before I left was an X-ray. I layed down on the table in that ridiculous piece of paper that they qualify as a gown, tears streaming from my eyes into my ears, soaking my hair. My mom sat down beside me, took my hand, and told me I would be riding bikes with Lance Armstrong after this was over. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. Three years later. My mom still provides me with every single bit of strength I have each day. I can only hope that if God's plan for me is to have or adopt children, that I can provide the same kind of example for my kids as my mom has provided for me. I don't know what kind of mom I will be, but I absolutely know that those kids will have the best Nana in the world, behind me of course (: I love you mom! Thanks for your example and unconditional love! Because of you, I'll be riding bikes with Lance Armstrong!
I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine- she helps me grow, prosper, and reach new heights" -Terri Guillimetes
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving
2. I have an insanely stressful project in the works right now. I had to read Wuthering Heights. If you are ever faced with the choice of reading that book or spraying an angry lion in the eyes with pepperspray, pick the lion. You might die, but at lest you won't have to have read this ridiculous travesty of a book. Two more days and it's over!
It's officially over! The project is through and I'm never giving a second thought to Wuthering Heights. Ever. Our presentation went relatively well. It was as boring as all get out, but so was everyone else's presentation. I'm really glad that if I had to do that awful presentation, I did it with the girls in my group. Thank you Sarah, Jen, Liz, A Lo, Paniah, and Sakaiya for making that project bearable. we did it! Now, on to the next project.... wish me luck!
3. My mom just called me from downstairs to ask what I was doing. She then asked if I would come downstairs and hang with her. I wouldn't trade moments like this for anything. She is my hero. I'm the luckiest girl
What can I say? My mom is my absolute hero. Everything I've learned about being strong, I've learned from her. She has done an amazing job raising her girls. She has been with me through every single crappy thing I've faced in seventeen years and every single happy moment as well.
On May 16, 2008 I sat in an orthopedic surgeon's office and was told that I had a malignancy that appeared to be Eewing's Sarcoma. The last thing they did before I left was an X-ray. I layed down on the table in that ridiculous piece of paper that they qualify as a gown, tears streaming from my eyes into my ears, soaking my hair. My mom sat down beside me, took my hand, and told me I would be riding bikes with Lance Armstrong after this was over. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. Three years later. My mom still provides me with every single bit of strength I have each day. I can only hope that if God's plan for me is to have or adopt children, that I can provide the same kind of example for my kids as my mom has provided for me. I don't know what kind of mom I will be, but I absolutely know that those kids will have the best Nana in the world, behind me of course (: I love you mom! Thanks for your example and unconditional love! Because of you, I'll be riding bikes with Lance Armstrong!
I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine- she helps me grow, prosper, and reach new heights" -Terri Guillimetes
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving
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