The Smell of a Koosh Ball

I have had this Koosh Ball since I was a young child. I've lost it and found it several times over the years. It smells strange, but it smells good to me...because it smells like a part of my childhood. I posted this picture on Facebook recently and my brother stated, he has also always enjoyed the way it smells. (He's in Afghanistan right now, so I can imagine he could almost smell this as he looked at the picture. I was just happy to give him a little taste of home, if only briefly.) It's funny how scents affect us. I can almost guarantee that everyone has a scent that takes us back to a happier, easier, and more free time of our lives. For example, the scent of a box of fresh Crayola crayons take me back to elementary school, the excitement of the first day! The joy of seeing your friends and new teachers...I always enjoyed school. 

However, there are scents that take us back to maybe, not-so-pleasant times of our lives. Perhaps they take us back to a time when mistakes were made. There is a particular scent that takes me back to a difficult time in my life, a time of heartache, struggle, and challenges. Most times, people would rather not encounter smells like that...but me, I embrace them. Because, regardless of the memories that the scent conjures inside me, it also then leads me to remember how I came out of it. How I got back up and rose again. My scripture reading this morning was 2 Cor. 12, in which Paul states, "I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." I understand what Paul means here, because it is in these times, when we are to reach out to our Lord and Savior! And He will hear us and bring us through whatever challenges we're facing. 

I'm delighted to say that I've accepted a position and will begin a new job next week! These four months have been difficult and taxing. But I needed them...I needed this time of trial; because it's made me focus on my relationship with Jesus. If anyone knows how much I worry, it's Christ...and dare I say, my husband! However, this time has made me realize the importance of fully trusting in His plan for me and surrendering my anxieties and worries. So, right now, I'm not sure what scent will bring me back to these four months of growth. But I'm thankful for my time of reflection of who I am and who I want to be for my Savior. I am a better person for it.

Enjoy the Music of Life

Music has always been a passion of mine.  It started when I was young, as a dancer.  You can't dance without music, they go hand-in-hand!  Since then, I've developed a passion for the art, almost always listening to some type of music when I do just about anything...cleaning, working, running, writing, browsing Facebook!  Music has so much power, creating inspiration.  It can make us happy, sad, stir memories of our past and help create new ones.  Though I must admit, I have no musical abilities personally...just an incredible appreciation.

An appreciation that recently  grew tremendously.  Last week I spent the day in the studio with a good friend, who's son is a new artist (one of the best I've heard in a long time, may I add) and was recording his first demo.  Wow!  Unless you've been in a studio during the recording process or are in the industry, I would dare say you don't know what goes into this process!  Like I've said, I love music, but I had no clue!  He started the day with a new song, recording the basic guitar part first.  Then he added the main vocals and lyrics.  This was followed by some underlying guitar parts and vocal background support.  Then he proceeded to add supporting sounds, like hand claps and foot stomps.  For each different part, each additional idea had to be recorded separately.  Then the technician (I think that was his 'title') would lay all these pieces and parts into the correct places in the song.  The detail and adjustments was astounding. 

Now, from what I understand, because this artist is new to the scene and plays his own guitar, the process was more labor intensive than, say, an individual who has a band.  Because the band supports with their own instruments, creating the sounds of the music, while the vocalist provides lyrics.  My friend's son had to create not just the vocals, but the instruments as well.  Additionally, this particular song was more intricate anyway, as specified by the artist.  So, this song took an all day session to complete.  Since its completion,  I've heard the final product and it's fun to know what went into making all the different sounds, the cuts, the fades, etc.  Appreciation has been newly defined.

When I think about it, people are much the same...right?  No one really knows anybody until we go behind the scenes and listen to and watch the different layers that make the individual.  I know people have been compared to onions and the pealing back of the different layers.  But onions are gross!  I'd much rather be compared to a great song!  And this process could take years.  You probably know what I mean if you've ever had any sort of relationship...especially if you're married.  Even then, after almost four years of marriage, there are still things I'm learning about my husband.  The process never ends. 

So, it's so sad when people are so quick to judge others.  We don't have a clue what their "song" is about or what they've been through in their life.  Sometimes a quiet woman may be perceived as being rude or antisocial, but maybe she was abused as a child for years and struggles with trusting others.  How sad is it that we may be so quick to write her off?  When if we would just give her chance and get to know her, listening to the different parts of her song, we could learn so much.  And I'm not saying that I'm not guilty of judging, because I am...unfortunately, we all are, because we're human and we're sinners.  There is only one being that has the right to judge anyone...our Lord.  So why don't we leave that up to Him and just enjoy the "music" people have to offer...what if?