Thanks so much for sharing another beautifully written poem .So inspiring,powerful and heartwarming as well I must add , as I could see in your eyes how emotional you were explaining the poem to us in the video. It is very hard to say only one song that we enjoy and find solitude to , music is a big part in our life, one song my husband and I really love listening is Higher Love by Ndlovu Youth Choir, it is so uplifting and at hard days especially its just what we need we can’t listen to heavy songs. BTW you did an excellent job with your artwork!! 🙏💖
Carolyn there are few versions and I love all of them , I first listened was Steve Windwood and Whitney Houston and the NDlovu Youth Choir is amazing good BGT
yes carolyn I also listen to christian praise music but i am going to look that song up i think different songs touch us in beautiful ways depending on the words touches our hearts and souls thanks carolyn
Irene I just listened to the song higher love from Ndlovu and I loved it. As I was driving home I just let it soak up. I think I found another song I fell in love with. This group is amazing.
It is amazing isn’t it Shari ? I only heard this song for the first time a few months ago, I think it was Aimee who introduced me to it . I’m hooked I just have to listen to it every day. We always play it as well when we go with my husband out for our long walks in the nature . Glad you worked out your problems and you’re back here !!😊
I recently had a PET Scan. How I kept my body still (which is the requirement), I sang to myself the entire time and was surprised when the technician came in and said, "Good job. Your pictures are clear." This poem inspires me to remember what those songs were. One was the last verse of a Christmas song: "What can I give Him; poor as I am...What I can I give Him, Give my HEART." The HIM is the baby Jesus, but it's also EVERYONE. I am going to think on that more. Thanks, Graham. I have multiple myeloma; that PET scan showed there is no progression in my disease. It is quiet! I think I will keep singing!
My mother in law had multiple myeloma many years ago I’m sure there’s been more research and medications since then (90’s) happy to hear that your progression hasn’t changed. I’m praying for you and for one day there will be a cure for this disease 🙏🏻💜
Thanks Graham for yet another great poem. I have a song that has been playing in my head ever since my husband died. It's sad and makes me cry every time and it's long past time I changed my tune. Looking forward to reading everyone else's comments and hearing their songs- maybe I'll get some inspiration.
The artwork included with the poem is amazing. Is it a painting or a photo, or a combination? Regardless, it's beautiful.
Dear Carol : words can never heal the feelings of loss. People say it is part of life but that too fails to assuage our grief. When I posted about my mother’s journey in her last year many in this community helped so much with their kindness. I hope that you can chose a new happier song going forward. Many hugs from me to you.
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband!! I don't know how that feels. But I do know how it feels to lose both parents. I lost my dad in 2004 and my mom in 2014. I am so sad about that. But God has sustained me. The song that comforts me is Beulah Land. I will pray for you and pray that you can find a song that brings you comfort and peace. ❤🙏
yes carol i also lost my husband its a very hard thing to go through but god is with you he will never leave us or forsake us and he promised he will not put more on us than we can bear sometimes we questine things but we pray for each other love and prayers yes one of my favorite songs is BEULAH LAND beautiful song6
Carolyn I too lost my parents same years ...Death is a personal journey for those that are left to grieve. My dad loved Christmas music ( he passed on christmas eve 2004) but every year when the season begins i feel a lightness in my heart as I hear the music he loved so much. I will sing or hum for months the music of the season with him. Sorry for your loss and I too pray you can find a song or music that does comfort you and bring back good memories
Thanks so much Carolyn and very sorry to hear about losing your parents. I lost my dad soon after losing my husband; both were devastating. I will check out Beulah Land. 🙏❤️
Carol I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you in my prayers at night. My sister had a passage she read all the time. It goes like this. Thank you God for another day. To try and get it right.Give me the whole armor of God to fight the good fight and the helmet of God to resist all evil thought and deed. I read this and thought wow. I took a picture of it at my mom’s house when my sister passed away. I keep it on my phone so I can refer back to it when I need to. I hope you find you song and that it gives you meaning and comfort. God bless.
So sorry Carol for your loss, I also lost my husband, it’s like no other loss in my eyes. He loved music, lots of songs make me cry, as I move forward it’s less & less.
Sorry for your loss Carol. I hope that perhaps you can find a song that both you & your husband loved that can bring back some happy memories instead being sad. Difficult, but I hope you can heal. Take care
Thanks Christine. My husband loved the blues which of course, is not very uplifting :) But there are a few songs we both enjoyed and that I sing along with. Happy memories!
Good morning Graham and happy Tuesday! Thank you for this poem it’s beautifully written. I love listening to all kinds of music it’s very soothing and calms me down.My song of solitude would be by Andy Grammer “Good to be Alive “.Your very inspiring and it shows your emotions from watching your video. Your artwork is amazing, did you paint it or a photo? To align my vision of future? After my meditation this morning and prayers I heard God has answered my questions. I am here, I am your safe place, come hide under my wings of protection where I plan to restore you. Where you will float upon calm waters and never sink. I am the Prince of Peace and You are mine.
In the presence of Peace
We find hope,
In the presence of Peace
We find direction
In the presence of Peace,
We find the strength to carry us
through the road less traveled.
Quite your mind,
Open your heart
And take sometime
Unfiltered,
And be in the presence of Peace.
My song aligns of my vision and future would be “ Home “ by Donny Mac
I look forward every Tuesday and I get so excited to read all comments from everyone, grateful for this community you had built .Cheers🙏❤️
Lucy Donny’s songs pretty much all touch me as well. I’ve told him many times over that Home is my favorite as to lyrics and music. I feel full when I listen to his music. We are truly blessed. I cannot say that often or loud enough. Graham has given us all the most priceless gifts solely by allowing us to join in his own journey while we move forward in ours. I have connected with so many wonderful people both in and outside this community because of Graham’s energy and light. 🙏🏻💜
Mutism I was born in Montreal. French was my second language and much has stayed with me even though I live in California for many years. I love the language and I especially love when I fully understand it when spoken or written!!! 😄
Lucy…I so understand the fear of sharing your feelings on this venue. I have them as well but I have taken that leap of faith because of Graham and because of the support I get from so many of this community. But only you can determine what you feel comfortable in sharing…all of us respect that. Blessings to you.🙏💕
This is definitely weird. I woke up last week one day singing. First I heard the singing and I thought, someone is SINGING! Then as I woke more I realized it was me. It was a happy tune, sort of lilting and sung in like first soprano. Like an Irish folk tune. Since I don't know any t Irish folk tunes, it kind of threw me. Somewhere inside my brain or soul are Irish tunes!!! Lol.
So this poem is especially pertinent today as I wonder why for the first time EVER, I woke up singing. I'd like to think that my current soul searching is reconnecting me with my ancestors. Wouldn't that be cool? We are part Irish. Possibly Scots Irish depending on who you talked to years ago while they were still alive.
My Mom has a beautiful voice. She remembers singing and dancing as a young girl at a families cabin in Arkansas. Her Uncles would play the fiddle and the whole family would sing and dance out in the front yard, she said.
Song is very deeply ingrained in my family. My dressing table belonged to my Great, Great Grandmother Lucy Copeland. It's beside my bed every night while I sleep.
Today is my Mom's birthday. She is 79 today. A few years back she was singing in church and I recorded her. I don't want to forget that sound. Even though I will hear it again in heaven I've got it here for now in case she passes before me.
Marsha ~ the other day I woke up with an original poem in my mind. First time ever. Life is weird or as you say our ancestors are trying to connect with us. I love that idea!!!
Cathey ~ It shocked me so much ~ I did write it down. It was in poem form -- but it created an image of dusty peach jars left on a broken shelf leaning against a moldy cement wall. Weird! I'm meditating more in life. I wondering if that's helping me (or I need a psychiatrist???) Ha Ha!
Hope you get to explore your family history. I did & it made me appreciate how lucky we are to live in this day & age. They had hard lives & did so much for future generations.
You were so smart to record your mom. My son-in-law did a video with my mom asking her questions about her youth, growing up experiences, etc. She passed a year ago and that video is such a treasure. He has done a video of each of the great grandparents so that when his kids are older, they will be able to see what their great grandparents were like!
Music is such a huge part of my internal world that it’s easy for me to relate to the idea of a song of solitude. Depending on the day, it can be upbeat and energetic or it might be calming and contemplative. We do have the choice every day how those songs drive us and how they present to the world around us. This morning I woke to a gorgeous sunny day and the song that came to mind was “Here Comes the Sun”. We’ve had a very wet, gray spring here in Eastern Washington so having a sunny day is a true joy and I can’t wait to get outside! I think my song of solitude has changed a lot in the last year to one that’s in awe of those blessings that come from surrendering to God’s plan. There’s a lot of gratitude in my song now. I found this song recently and I feel it perfectly describes where my heart is now. "This is just the beginning of the beginning...." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKMjEvF2Fkw Just a thought: It would be great to have a playlist of all these great songs people are sharing!
That is really a great idea Cathey. I did not mention one particular some in my comments but most people seem to have done so in my reading thus far. I live playlists especially when there are choices from many people. 🙏🏻💜
Cathey I just watched the video and have tears in my eyes. It was simply amazing! My Dad was the most important person in my life and although he wasn't the type to do what this dad did as far as the scavenger hunt, my Dad who was broken physically so badly, would be the person in the room who exuded the most light and joy of life. He was my hero and this video reminded me of that. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the song. I keep playing the video over and over because it's so hopeful! The depiction of the dad giving that hope to his daughter is so beautiful.
Well Graham what’s my internal song here goes it would have to be Celine Dion’s Courage since this is what I feel I’ve had to have since 2013 the year my husband passed away, I didn’t know how I was going to carry on without his support his love and support was all I knew for 38 yrs he was always there for me since day one from when I first knew he loved me : he was there for me when my parents passed away within six months of each other he was always there to support my life’s journey so when he passed I lost that support I had to find the courage to take care of myself and have the courage to find myself again which to be honest hasn’t been till recently and when I found you you’ve inspired me to take on some internal work on myself and to carry on alone to be be able to handle the challenges in my life it’s not always easy and life can be complicated I pray to God everyday for the strength and courage to take on these challenges I know without God in my life and prayer I couldn’t exist I love music I listen to it all day long it inspires and I take a lot of my inspiration from music but this one song gives me strength ❤️
I think God gives us all strength and courage and we don’t even realize that we have it until the time comes to use it. I totally understand Halina. I also am so glad that I have “met” you.
I have a lot of loss in my life and I can attest that it is indeed hard. Its emotional --feel them, its full of memories--remember and rejoice in them, talk about them and to them, it will get easier...
That’s beautiful Jody I love that song first I want to say I’m so sorry for your loss and I know how you feel they are our angels and will always be with us and yes we have to find the courage to go on for our children and for ourselves ❤️
Hello Graham and to everyone in the community Happy Tuesday to all of you.It is Spring but I don’t feel it in Alberta it snowed yesterday.If I choose a song in solitude I love the song called One Day At A Time .It is very meaningful to me because at my age of 79 I just take it easy ,slowing down while I finish my life’s journey.I will still do my everyday routine helping the slow learners in school those kids who cannot read because they don’t know the sounds of the alphabet.I still do these things as a volunteer.I also help in the church brings flowers for the altar,join Bible study and prayer meetings in church.I decided to sell our business (Before And After School Care Program) if I close the deal then I will be able to visit my love ones I plan to go back to my point of origin b4 it is too late for me to travel.It us a 14 hours flight to the Philippines.One day at a time God knows what is good for me and to each one of us.We have to be strong with our faith and trust in the Lord. Cheers to all.
I wished you could've made it back to the Philippines. Is it really out of the realms of possibility? I know it's a long trip (I'm going on a long one next Tuesday from Australia to Vancouver), but it's worth it if you can. Even for a week or a couple of days. If not, perhaps someone who lives there can take some video for you to see.
Christine it is really a long flight 14 hours I still have 3 children and grandchildren to see and visit.By the way I already went to visit Sydney,Melbourne and Brisbane I enjoyed our 10 days stay there. God bless
When it comes to songs in my life, one of the most prominent would be the the song of regrets
Being on my own, I have plenty of time to reflect. Which is why the song of regrets is my first. A certain traumatic event (one I had no control of) in my past altered my life path.
I made choices out of fear which squashed my dreams & the way I pictured my life going. I have lived with regret due to my choices, but know that my fear & PTSD was too hard to alter those choices. Although I have missed out on a treasured dream, I have also gained. Which is now why I have a song of Acceptance & Appreciation.
I have experienced life in a different way & had many adventures & opportunities that I would never had had. I have been able to help others & gain from these experiences. I've done so much & never truly realised how much I appreciate the opportunities given to me. I chose a different path, but God has blessed me with so much & I have been given a new lease on life. A new purpose. I just had to listen to that song & allow it to take me to places where I am challenging myself & living my life with a new attitude.
My song, my path, has changed & I am changing with it. My adventures are only just beginning.
I have been reading so many comments, but yours got my attention...why who knows...you're song Acceptance and Appreciation is exactly what I have been struggling with. I have been on a muddled path. Im closing in on becoming 70. Graham talks about serving. My husband and I adopt ed a beautiful baby 27 years ago who was finally diagnosed w mental disorder. In her teens, she was a runaway. My husband put nails to keep windows shut, i slept in a room close to her. ...all to keep her safe. Trust me for years I read up on ways to help her, saw therapists, counselors, special schools all the while beating myself becausee I could not get through to her. I was on constant high alert for years with her, then she had a beautiful boy. She insisted to keep him. I agreed to help her, my husband and I divorced after 40 years of knowing this man. It was heartbreaking. Months later she left me with my grandson. He is soon to be 11 and also has difficulties. Your song is what I need to continue....Thank you, this community and especially Graham for his talents and inspirations. Thank you and blessings to all.
Brenda you are a very special person to God he chose you to take care of this daughter and grandson your husband just couldnt handle like you could so God chose you its too bad after fourty years your husband gave up God has your back he will always be there you are a angel helping God with his children he is so proud of you hang in there i will keep you in my prayers i know it sounds easy for everyone else to say hang in there but you have loved this family for years God has krpt you going and given you strenght Blessings to you my beautiful friend patty hamilton
Thank you Patty. You reminded me of a time when I became a Catholic. I was overwhelmed with gratefulness of such a beautiful ceremony. I sat in my yard on a sunny day, looking towards the sky, Thanking God for all of my blessings. I asked him to please use me to do.something good and I know he heard me.
Brenda, I am so humbled that my comment was the one that caught your attention.
What an amazing woman you are. To take on the difficult task & challenges after finding out about her diagnosis. To dealing with your divorce & now your grandson who is suffering also.
I hope that you are able to take time out for yourself. God chose you as an angel on earth & I'm glad that this community is able to be here for you. Bless you Brenda. 💕🙏🙏💕
Brenda and Christine. I hear from yall courage and perseverance...and..love in purest form. Love and care given despite the situation. I am also humbled. I heard in Priests sermon today: " Never doubt what God has promised and given - His total Love, Care for us for eternity".
Thank you Lori. I'm no Saint lol. I have felt very alone for a long , long time. Lots of tears, some happy. I appreciate you and everyone for listening and hearing me. I thank you for your prayers of Guidance, Comfort, and Peace... Blessing to you as well and Graham for this community, his poems that I look forward.to on Tuesdays!
Wow, can I relate. Lots of choices in my life have led me to where I am. I want to say I have no regrets, but I would be lying. I am nowhere near where I expected I would be. I recently wrote a poem to express this, called "Disappointment." My only choice is to take steps moving forward. I cannot go back and change anything. I'm glad there are so many (like you) who seem to get that. Thanks for sharing.
Christine, I am so happy for this new path that you are on and that the regrets are no longer dominating how you feel and live your life. Your adventures and new outlook are transforming you. "This is just the beginning of the beginning....."
Life is beautiful. Life is also hard. So many joys but sorrows too. Ups and downs and choices to be made, some were good and some were bad but they all led to now. One thing always that I have is gratitude. In my heart I'm grateful for my life - all of it. And so much wasn't pretty but it led me here. I'm alive. And I'm grateful. Here is the song in my heart. "And no one can take the love from my heart."
Barbara! So much here in your comments is what I feel and expressed in mine. Read it and you will see how much we similarly articulated our thoughts. I think this is not the first time that has happened between us! Love and prayers to you, so.much gratitude for the life we have. 🙏🏻💜
Kindred spirits? Staying in gratitude has helped me from swaying too far away from center. I like Graham's description of staying aligned with our beliefs. It truly helps to visualize that alignment and works to keep me from drifting out too far.
oh i love this song so uplifting beautiful its so right no one can take the love from our hearts the sun is gonna shine so so touching all the little things makes the world go round thanks so much for sharing
Nothing like a Graham Turesday to put us into "quiet time" to reflect on what we have just seen, just heard, just digested and now time for deeper thought. My first thoughts were to turn your words around Graham- Is it a blessing to be given the choice to refuse or is it a blessing to have the freedom of thought to be able to do so? Is it a blessing to be aligned with the bounty or is it the freedom to choose what comes our way to accept, or to refuse and either deny or to share with others? Often our minds get entangled with so much noise that to escape to that quiet, satisfying place may be the hardest exeercise of all. To be able to recognize that place of solitude that place of clarity is often more difficult than the decisions we finally make as a result.
OK now how do you find that song? For each individual, the song is different for sure. To some, it is dead silence, running water, hearing the waves splash against the rocks, a waterfall cascading down a mountain, sitting on your porch soaking in the sun and listening to nature, perhaps it's the rain pelting the windows as you gaze out into the yard or maybe, just maybe it is the sound of snow gently accumulating on the trees. It can be music, it can be the sound of the city, the sound of the country and of nature, it can be animals playfully communicating with each other and thinking are they talking about me?
I wrote on Substack exactly two months ago "Are We Ever Alone? I encourage you to go to it and really ponder this question for in this song of solitude that are we able to connect with the glorious world around us and make us feel whole again.
I also direct you to Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence" and really absorb those words as well.
"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk to you again, because a vision softly creeping left it's seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, Within the sound of silence".
Once I receive solace in these words I then can go forward and reach out to the external world electrifying my synapses to fire to create, to envision, to plan to intiate what I can do to make a mark on this world for the time I have remaining and how can I make others feel the best that they can feel and make the world around us a better place for those that come after us or for those that still remain.
"GRAHAM TUESDAY - I like it. :) Those words from Sounds of Silence are some of my favorite lyrics ever. I recently listened to a number of S&G songs. Another favorite lyric is "And a rock feels no pain. And an island never cries." I have always been able to relate to those words.
Found another song that brings me back to when I was 16- being an only child I spent hours and hours just quietly thinking and wondering where my life was headed- who I was gonna be, where I was going to college what was the right decisions I need to make? Beach Boys "In My Room"!!!
Jeffry, Your mention of The Sound of Silence brings back memories of a free concert in NY’s Central Park decades ago which I attended. Of course, there were thousands there but as S & G performed Sound of Silence a great quiet enveloped the crowd. There was such a peacefulness to the evening. Thanks for taking me down that particular memory lane.
Jeffry - when you mentioned the Sound of silence I immediately played the words in my brain. Every single one. They do remain there as others do with soft memories of the times they surrounded me. S and G were (are) my favorites of their gendre. I have an original vinyl album still wrapped of one of their concerts. I treasure it. I was at A Simon concert here in CA years ago and Garfunkel appeared with no notice. They sand together after so many years. It was magical. Loved your music description as sounds of the world around us. Many images created in my head and that to me is what music really is. Thank you friend. 🙏🏻💜
Wow Graham, I had one of those wrinkles (bumps in the road) as you call it since Midnight. Being in my church choir, there are so many Praise and Worship songs that I listen to when this happens. Music really ministers to my soul. It did as I started on the health and wellness journey that I've previously shared. From the start, it was DonnyMac's "HOME" that inspired me to start this journey. This morning I listened to a lot of Praise and Worship music; read, prayed, and meditated on God's word to gradually bring me out of this "bump in the road." The last song I listened to that finally brought me back was again DonnyMac's "HOME". The words in the 3rd verse of his song "To Live is Christ to die is Gain", Philippians 1:21 KJV are my favorite because it reminds me that God is in control, and life as we know it here is temporary. It reminds me of my deep rooted Faith and keeps me steadfast to continue the health and wellness journey that I'm on. I'm sure there will be days in the future where these wrinkles (bumps in the road) will occur, but as long as I hold on to my FAITH, I know the journey will continue. I know most of you have heard and love this song, but if you haven't, here's a link to the You Tube Lyric Video.
Graham - thanks for sharing your heart and inspiration with us today! By the way, you looked like you were really enjoying yourself out in nature in the video, and I love the artwork. Eagles are one of my favorite creatures. Blessings! Cheers!
Yes, Home, a favorite of mine, too. Anne, yes, the bumps are just what they are bumps! Learning to navigate over the bumps with the right tires on is the key. Here in Nashville, we are dealing with huge pot holes from a cold winter. I am constantly darting, going around and sometimes right into the holes. I love that idea...what will we "gain" as we die to Him! Freedom to not need the applause as Donny refers to is just one of the many freedoms.
I totally agree, that entire podcast is one of my favorites. The answer to Graham's magic painting was so touching. Both Graham and Don McLeod inspired me so much as that is when I decided to take action and start this health and wellness journey.
As the day progressed, I’m so glad that I was able to process those thoughts that penetrated my brain earlier this morning. I used to let these bumps in the road linger until they would drag me down but thankfully I’m navigating around while embracing them. I’m grateful the day ended so much better than the beginning. It boils down to a choice we make for ourselves. Another song I like is called the Goodness of God by Bethel Music.
I know Cathey. Isn't it the truth? There's a lot of songs I listen to, but when these wrinkles come, in the end, it's this song that brings me out of it for now. Praise God it does.
Jody, that’s wonderful. I like the idea Barbara brought up last week about Graham opening up a health and wellness room on the new site. That will be awesome. I like all of Donny Mac’s songs, but I’m always brought back to Home. Blessings to you! 🙏❤️
Thanks Lori! I knew those thoughts were from Satan, but it just took a little longer today to process everything. I didn’t waiver though. Had my first one hour guitar lesson earlier, and I really like the first song I’m going to learn. It’s an oldie but goodie! The day ended well.
Well Graham, you always know where I am and what I am facing. I am ironing out the wrinkles and the transition to the last chapter in my life is much more difficult than I imagined. I have cried, laughed, prayed, spoke to a friend, sit in silence, and walked in nature. In my heart, I have faith that my vision will come to light. I am very grateful and appreciative of everything I have and I feel blessed but out of rhythm. I need a shift. I listen to music every day and love it. Today, my song would be Jesus, Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood.
Love that song...the story behind it is a beautiful one, too! Love some Carrie! Praying for you to feel and accept the shift you referred to in your comment.
I concur with many...LOVE THIS ONE! I am a note taker- so I took notes as I listened to your explanation. The lines that stood out the most are...it is about "the process of creating"; there will be "wrinkles, weights, self-doubts"; it is about choice and within making the choices, that is where the true work begins. I loved also, Graham, the idea that the "concerts will be composed instead of chasms". You mentioned that we may have a song according to our mood. So, I have several that play in my head! When I am tired (like yesterday), I may need to "let loose" and blast an old country music song with all the windows down. In my head I am driving a really cool car, like a jeep on a country road or through the mountains, but really I am in my old "mom-van"! I usually turn on George Straight or Bellamy Brothers or David Allan Coe when I am in that mood. If you know Jill Bolte Taylor's book, that is when my Character 3 is more actively online. When I am more in a prayerful mood, I go to Donny's "Glorious Victorious" lately. I also love "Because He lives" or Carrie Underwood's version of "How Great Thou Art" Here is a link to her and Vince Gill singing it on the Opry Stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk6gtZZgsNo
If I am needing to believe more in myself and realize that I have what it takes to get out there and do the work to create, I have loved lately this song by Anne Wilson and High Valley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em1XulbS980. The song that gets me to my core is Donny Mac's "Teach Me to Love". Two and a half years ago when my world was rocked, I had to make some choices. The choice to not allow the shadows to rule over me and to TRUST and let go of the fears that had become imprinted in my brain's chemistry needed to be rewired. The line in Donny's song that gets me every time is "I'm afraid to love those who keep breaking my heart." As I am creating, I am working hard...and yet I am actually loving my solitude and not afraid of the here and now and the not yet! Blessings to all for the rest of the week! Thank you again, Graham, for the beautiful sounds of the stream and the backdrop of God' beautiful nature.
I just was watching the performance of Carrie and Vince and wow, I did not remember how much they show dear Naomi Judd. If you don't know, she recently passed away and struggled with mental health for years. She is a remembered icon here in Music City and in and around the world of country music. It gives me more courage to keep creating and to allow the Lord to hopefully use my words (written and orally) to bring others the energy needed to face their fears and traumas.
Hi Tricia! Funny I've been watching that Carrie & Vince video of "How Great Thou Art" a lot lately. I noticed Naomi in the front row touched by their performance also. One never really knows what's going on in another person's mind... (except maybe a family therapist :) My Character 3 (Zippy) has been having fun rockin' to "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston lately. Keep creating...
That is such a tragic loss of an icon. I agree so many different songs for different mood swings or whatever life throws at us. I get exactly where you’re coming from.
Wrinkles and Weights. Choices and Decisions. Living our lives includes so many of these tributaries, some of which change us but nothing is forever. We can look back and seize the moment we may have missed. We can look forward and create new dreams from old wishes. I know. I have altered my journey multiple times. I have never regretted taking the leaps and seizing the opportunities which brought me to the ‘me’ of today.
Graham this is my very favorite poem. It’s aura is the sweet smell of personal choice and responsibility. The solitude of manifesting our own destiny while quietly balancing truth and love ; it does not get any better than this as far as I am concerned. Ultimately, we do create our own music by which we perceive our world.
I remembered something said by “Jack” in Season 9 of Heartland which has sat with me since: he said to “Lou” that he would not want to “meet the liar who claimed his life had turned out exactly how he had
imagined it would”. This is part of my truth. Many corners, many changes, different priorities and at different times.
My hobby farm in process is the fulfillment of a very old wish which had been dismissed long ago~ rationalized away, forgotten and crowned as a fantasy never to be realized. The weights! The wrinkles! The “choices”?
Then my own epiphany and emerging as the butterfly does, free to fly, free to dream… the gradual realization of the long ago wish. In my solitude (literally) I said, why not?
The joy I feel, the freedom of choice, the excitement of truth, the fullness of life. Everything sparkles. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have opened the locked door and found this community of support. I share the dreams of so many other wonderful new friends and all the while I feel myself continuing to blossom into the light.
Thank you for this Graham. The poem is a true inspiration. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry, thanks for sharing. You always have such a way saying something that I need to hear. Love hearing the updates regarding the hobby farm. Take care and blessings to you!
Soon they will be at their forever home! I am definitely full of joy and anticipation. So many questions but the answers will come with experience and time. 💜💜
Good Morning! I had trouble playing this video, it kept stopping at phrases like …”songs we sing in solitude….process of creating…..unconscious songs in our head.” I kept restarting it, hearing the phrases again. Then in between a message popped up posted by a dear friend, it stopped me in my tracks….
I started calling that girl back.
The girl who loved living,
The girl who danced instead of walking.
The girl who had sunflowers for eyes
And fireworks in her soul.
I started playing music again,
Hoping she would come out.
I started looking for beautiful moments to experience,
So she would feel safe enough to show herself,
Because I knew she was in there,
And she needed my kindness and my effort
To come to the surface again.
-s.c. lourie
I’m gobsmacked. I’m writing through eyes blurred with tears. There are no coincidences. The combination of the messages, having to restart the video and each time it stopped at another impactful thought and then this poem kept popping in. I am awestruck and feeling like hope and joy is rushing out with blessings. I am so grateful for every new day I am given, to try again, another chance to play that song and dance, even alone. The smallest of gestures can mean so much if only you stop to appreciate them and soak them in….Happy Mother’s Day from Graham, I love you from Aimee and coffee yesterday with Linda filled with so many laughs and beautiful hugs and Flat Jesus, a message from David that something lost had been found. I am blessed in so many ways, I am grateful. I have a song that has played for me since I was a little girl - Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World. It is my anthem, comfort that everything is going to be okay. I feel like it has played and comforted me just when I need it. I will dance to this song and celebrate two poems that came to me today. It is indeed, a wonderful world! I am that girl with fireworks in her soul! Much love and cheers!
Coffee with you yesterday was what I needed after a week of too much solitude, it helped me shift focus. Always so inspiring when we get together….by the way Connie gives the best hugs!!
Oh Linda! What a great way to start the week! This community has brought us together. As we talked yesterday, I find myself longing for human touch, one of the hardest parts of being alone. Hugs! My favorite thing to do. I pray, I will get the opportunity to hug some others who are in this community. A hug is blending spirits! I am here for you in your solitude. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much for sharing another beautifully written poem .So inspiring,powerful and heartwarming as well I must add , as I could see in your eyes how emotional you were explaining the poem to us in the video. It is very hard to say only one song that we enjoy and find solitude to , music is a big part in our life, one song my husband and I really love listening is Higher Love by Ndlovu Youth Choir, it is so uplifting and at hard days especially its just what we need we can’t listen to heavy songs. BTW you did an excellent job with your artwork!! 🙏💖
I am gonna look that song up. Music calms the soul. I love listening to Christian praise music. It is very uplifting. ❤
Carolyn there are few versions and I love all of them , I first listened was Steve Windwood and Whitney Houston and the NDlovu Youth Choir is amazing good BGT
yes carolyn I also listen to christian praise music but i am going to look that song up i think different songs touch us in beautiful ways depending on the words touches our hearts and souls thanks carolyn
Thats a great song suggestion. I have not heard it in awhile. We aught all to aspire to feeling that Higher Love.
I like it because it’s very uplifting 💖
So true how music can impact our moods. I play certain cds depending on how I feel.
I’m the same Christine,🙏💖
Irene, you are right. Depending on the situation or mood, a different song will fill that void.
Great version of Stevie Wonder's song and you're right - very uplifting. I've added it to my playlist!
I like Stevie Wonder’s version as well Carol 👍
I will definitely look that song up. Music is an enormous outlet for many people. Thank you Irene.
You’re most welcome 🙏💖
Thank you Irene for liking my comment I wish you the best and God bless you and your family.
Thanks for the kind words all the best wishes for you and your family as well 🙏💖
Thank you Irene Kigais the best is yet to come for each one of us.
🙏💖
Aaaah they are from South Africa Irene... they are definitely next level!
They are the best!
Irene I just listened to the song higher love from Ndlovu and I loved it. As I was driving home I just let it soak up. I think I found another song I fell in love with. This group is amazing.
It is amazing isn’t it Shari ? I only heard this song for the first time a few months ago, I think it was Aimee who introduced me to it . I’m hooked I just have to listen to it every day. We always play it as well when we go with my husband out for our long walks in the nature . Glad you worked out your problems and you’re back here !!😊
I am the same Irene. I have several tunes I find solitude to, but mainly it is the 80s as these were good times. 👍 ❤️
Amen to that Irene , another great poem.
I love that song! I had all the WOW CDs at one point and that song was on several of them!
Thanks for telling me about this awesome band , you always teach me cool things lol
Glad to be of service 🌞
I love that song, it makes me want to dance.
I you tubed this how wonderful. Thank you 🙏
Love this version!
I recently had a PET Scan. How I kept my body still (which is the requirement), I sang to myself the entire time and was surprised when the technician came in and said, "Good job. Your pictures are clear." This poem inspires me to remember what those songs were. One was the last verse of a Christmas song: "What can I give Him; poor as I am...What I can I give Him, Give my HEART." The HIM is the baby Jesus, but it's also EVERYONE. I am going to think on that more. Thanks, Graham. I have multiple myeloma; that PET scan showed there is no progression in my disease. It is quiet! I think I will keep singing!
Just remember, Patty, "You'll Never Walk Alone." You're in my prayers.
Keep on singing on! 🤗
May God continue to bless you Patty with good reports! 🙏
I'm so happy for you! Your song is now one of rejoicing!!
Your support and that of so many others lift me sky high! Thank you, Jody.
Prayers for you!!! ❤🙏😇
May God give you many blessings, Patty. He will stick by you always.❤️🙏
My mother in law had multiple myeloma many years ago I’m sure there’s been more research and medications since then (90’s) happy to hear that your progression hasn’t changed. I’m praying for you and for one day there will be a cure for this disease 🙏🏻💜
Yes, there have been. I'm so sorry if you lost your mother-in-law to MM. Thank you for your sweet caring of me.
🙏🏻 For you that all medical tests have the very same results Patty. 💜🙏🏻
patty this is patty hamilton and i am praying for you yes keep singing you are a awsome person iwill keep you in my prayers
That is great news Patty 🥰🥰
Do keep singing, Patty! All the best for continued stabilization of the myeloma and many days of living life to the fullest.
Yes keep singing Patty! May God Bless you and keep you in his loving care.
So happy for your great news. Continued prayers coming your way.
Hello Deborah I hope all well with you Happy Tuesday!
It is, thank you. Enjoy your day.
Many blessings Patty!
I lost my Dad to this disease last year, praying that yours keeps quiet, sending loving thoughts 💖🙏
Thank you so much for all the well wishes and PRAYERS! Blessings to you all!
Thanks Graham for yet another great poem. I have a song that has been playing in my head ever since my husband died. It's sad and makes me cry every time and it's long past time I changed my tune. Looking forward to reading everyone else's comments and hearing their songs- maybe I'll get some inspiration.
The artwork included with the poem is amazing. Is it a painting or a photo, or a combination? Regardless, it's beautiful.
It Is Well With My Soul is also a good song for you to hear Carol Hennessy try listening to it God loves you God is good all the time.
It is a beautiful song! I love the story behind it too.
If I remember correctly Aimee it was you who got me hooked on this song !!!
Quite possible! I love it! We played it in band for a concert and I cried every time we practiced it.
Dear Carol : words can never heal the feelings of loss. People say it is part of life but that too fails to assuage our grief. When I posted about my mother’s journey in her last year many in this community helped so much with their kindness. I hope that you can chose a new happier song going forward. Many hugs from me to you.
Thanks so much Sherry. I agree - this community is incredible. ❤️
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband!! I don't know how that feels. But I do know how it feels to lose both parents. I lost my dad in 2004 and my mom in 2014. I am so sad about that. But God has sustained me. The song that comforts me is Beulah Land. I will pray for you and pray that you can find a song that brings you comfort and peace. ❤🙏
yes carol i also lost my husband its a very hard thing to go through but god is with you he will never leave us or forsake us and he promised he will not put more on us than we can bear sometimes we questine things but we pray for each other love and prayers yes one of my favorite songs is BEULAH LAND beautiful song6
Carolyn I too lost my parents same years ...Death is a personal journey for those that are left to grieve. My dad loved Christmas music ( he passed on christmas eve 2004) but every year when the season begins i feel a lightness in my heart as I hear the music he loved so much. I will sing or hum for months the music of the season with him. Sorry for your loss and I too pray you can find a song or music that does comfort you and bring back good memories
Thanks so much Carolyn and very sorry to hear about losing your parents. I lost my dad soon after losing my husband; both were devastating. I will check out Beulah Land. 🙏❤️
Thank you Susan and very sorry for your losses as well.
Thankyou for sharing this. It inspired me to look at my internal song and change also. Music helps us in so many ways. Grieving too 💔
Carol I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you in my prayers at night. My sister had a passage she read all the time. It goes like this. Thank you God for another day. To try and get it right.Give me the whole armor of God to fight the good fight and the helmet of God to resist all evil thought and deed. I read this and thought wow. I took a picture of it at my mom’s house when my sister passed away. I keep it on my phone so I can refer back to it when I need to. I hope you find you song and that it gives you meaning and comfort. God bless.
Those are beautiful words and so true!!! God bless you!!!
Thank Shari. Beautiful words.
Your welcome Carol. We are all here to support you and give you much needed support.
So sorry Carol for your loss, I also lost my husband, it’s like no other loss in my eyes. He loved music, lots of songs make me cry, as I move forward it’s less & less.
Thinking of you Carol. Hugs to you!
So sorry for your loss. Music soothes the soul.
So sorry for your loss! Praying you can find a song that helps you! Blessings!
So sorry Carol for your loss. You will find your inspiration, in time.
Prayers for you Carol I hope you are blessed with a different song real soon❤️
Sorry to hear about your husband. I will pray for you. Blessings! Graham's photos are amazing. He is a very talented photographer.
Hello Carol: The loss of a loved one is a hard process, always remember the moments that made both happy because your husband lives in you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Listening to music can be so healing💕✨
Sorry for your loss Carol. I hope that perhaps you can find a song that both you & your husband loved that can bring back some happy memories instead being sad. Difficult, but I hope you can heal. Take care
💗🙏
Thanks Christine. My husband loved the blues which of course, is not very uplifting :) But there are a few songs we both enjoyed and that I sing along with. Happy memories!
Good morning Graham and happy Tuesday! Thank you for this poem it’s beautifully written. I love listening to all kinds of music it’s very soothing and calms me down.My song of solitude would be by Andy Grammer “Good to be Alive “.Your very inspiring and it shows your emotions from watching your video. Your artwork is amazing, did you paint it or a photo? To align my vision of future? After my meditation this morning and prayers I heard God has answered my questions. I am here, I am your safe place, come hide under my wings of protection where I plan to restore you. Where you will float upon calm waters and never sink. I am the Prince of Peace and You are mine.
In the presence of Peace
We find hope,
In the presence of Peace
We find direction
In the presence of Peace,
We find the strength to carry us
through the road less traveled.
Quite your mind,
Open your heart
And take sometime
Unfiltered,
And be in the presence of Peace.
My song aligns of my vision and future would be “ Home “ by Donny Mac
I look forward every Tuesday and I get so excited to read all comments from everyone, grateful for this community you had built .Cheers🙏❤️
Lucy Donny’s songs pretty much all touch me as well. I’ve told him many times over that Home is my favorite as to lyrics and music. I feel full when I listen to his music. We are truly blessed. I cannot say that often or loud enough. Graham has given us all the most priceless gifts solely by allowing us to join in his own journey while we move forward in ours. I have connected with so many wonderful people both in and outside this community because of Graham’s energy and light. 🙏🏻💜
Je suis bien d’accord avec vous
Mutism I was born in Montreal. French was my second language and much has stayed with me even though I live in California for many years. I love the language and I especially love when I fully understand it when spoken or written!!! 😄
I write your name correctly but auto correct has a Breyer idea I guess! Sorry!!
Merci pour votre réponse mon nom est Myriam . Je crois qu’il faut que j’apprenne l’anglais 😂 bonne journée 🙏
Bonjour Myriam. Je suis ravi de vous recontrer !! 🌺
I couldn’t agree more Sherry 🙏❤️
I second that sherry ❤️
Wow Lucy…beautiful 🙏
Thank you Danny you as well has a way with words, I am slowly loosening and still have a bit of fear sharing my writing? Lol🙏❤️
Lucy…I so understand the fear of sharing your feelings on this venue. I have them as well but I have taken that leap of faith because of Graham and because of the support I get from so many of this community. But only you can determine what you feel comfortable in sharing…all of us respect that. Blessings to you.🙏💕
This is definitely weird. I woke up last week one day singing. First I heard the singing and I thought, someone is SINGING! Then as I woke more I realized it was me. It was a happy tune, sort of lilting and sung in like first soprano. Like an Irish folk tune. Since I don't know any t Irish folk tunes, it kind of threw me. Somewhere inside my brain or soul are Irish tunes!!! Lol.
So this poem is especially pertinent today as I wonder why for the first time EVER, I woke up singing. I'd like to think that my current soul searching is reconnecting me with my ancestors. Wouldn't that be cool? We are part Irish. Possibly Scots Irish depending on who you talked to years ago while they were still alive.
My Mom has a beautiful voice. She remembers singing and dancing as a young girl at a families cabin in Arkansas. Her Uncles would play the fiddle and the whole family would sing and dance out in the front yard, she said.
Song is very deeply ingrained in my family. My dressing table belonged to my Great, Great Grandmother Lucy Copeland. It's beside my bed every night while I sleep.
Today is my Mom's birthday. She is 79 today. A few years back she was singing in church and I recorded her. I don't want to forget that sound. Even though I will hear it again in heaven I've got it here for now in case she passes before me.
Marsha ~ the other day I woke up with an original poem in my mind. First time ever. Life is weird or as you say our ancestors are trying to connect with us. I love that idea!!!
Did you write down the poem, Jan? Maybe it's the beginning of more to come.
Cathey ~ It shocked me so much ~ I did write it down. It was in poem form -- but it created an image of dusty peach jars left on a broken shelf leaning against a moldy cement wall. Weird! I'm meditating more in life. I wondering if that's helping me (or I need a psychiatrist???) Ha Ha!
I know that meditation lets my creative juices flow, soooo...... I'm pretty sure you don't need professional help. 🤣
Cathey ~ found your blog & subscribed. Really looking forward to going back & reading all your entries. It looks delicious!
Aw, thanks, Jan! Hope you enjoy. And I'll look forward to you starting your own poetry page. 😉
Wonderful memory!
This made me smile, Marsha. Irish tunes do have a way of setting up camp deep inside. 😊
Hope you get to explore your family history. I did & it made me appreciate how lucky we are to live in this day & age. They had hard lives & did so much for future generations.
You were so smart to record your mom. My son-in-law did a video with my mom asking her questions about her youth, growing up experiences, etc. She passed a year ago and that video is such a treasure. He has done a video of each of the great grandparents so that when his kids are older, they will be able to see what their great grandparents were like!
Awe that is so sweet!!! Happy Birthday to your mom!!! 🎂❤🎁
This is so cool 😎. I love a fiddly diddlily Irish jig. I’m Anglo Scotl, but I play the Bodran 🤭
Music is such a huge part of my internal world that it’s easy for me to relate to the idea of a song of solitude. Depending on the day, it can be upbeat and energetic or it might be calming and contemplative. We do have the choice every day how those songs drive us and how they present to the world around us. This morning I woke to a gorgeous sunny day and the song that came to mind was “Here Comes the Sun”. We’ve had a very wet, gray spring here in Eastern Washington so having a sunny day is a true joy and I can’t wait to get outside! I think my song of solitude has changed a lot in the last year to one that’s in awe of those blessings that come from surrendering to God’s plan. There’s a lot of gratitude in my song now. I found this song recently and I feel it perfectly describes where my heart is now. "This is just the beginning of the beginning...." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKMjEvF2Fkw Just a thought: It would be great to have a playlist of all these great songs people are sharing!
Beautiful song.
Oh that was wonderful. TY for the link. Love Steven Curtis Chapman.
Love his music - all the way back to "The Great Adventure".
That would be awesome!!!
Thank you for this beautiful song! I love the idea of having a playlist of all these great songs...🙏✨
I agree, Bie! If I had time, I would try to make it happen, but maybe it's something someone would like to compile. So many uplifting songs!
Thank you for sharing! I LOVED the video and song!!
That is really a great idea Cathey. I did not mention one particular some in my comments but most people seem to have done so in my reading thus far. I live playlists especially when there are choices from many people. 🙏🏻💜
Cathey, I started singing that song this morning.It had been raining then the sun came out love it🌞
Great minds think alike, Lynn!
Cathey I just watched the video and have tears in my eyes. It was simply amazing! My Dad was the most important person in my life and although he wasn't the type to do what this dad did as far as the scavenger hunt, my Dad who was broken physically so badly, would be the person in the room who exuded the most light and joy of life. He was my hero and this video reminded me of that. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the song. I keep playing the video over and over because it's so hopeful! The depiction of the dad giving that hope to his daughter is so beautiful.
Cathey - that's a good one. I've heard that one. Love his music!
I've been a fan for a lot of years - his music touches my soul. I'm really relating to this particular song these days.
Well Graham what’s my internal song here goes it would have to be Celine Dion’s Courage since this is what I feel I’ve had to have since 2013 the year my husband passed away, I didn’t know how I was going to carry on without his support his love and support was all I knew for 38 yrs he was always there for me since day one from when I first knew he loved me : he was there for me when my parents passed away within six months of each other he was always there to support my life’s journey so when he passed I lost that support I had to find the courage to take care of myself and have the courage to find myself again which to be honest hasn’t been till recently and when I found you you’ve inspired me to take on some internal work on myself and to carry on alone to be be able to handle the challenges in my life it’s not always easy and life can be complicated I pray to God everyday for the strength and courage to take on these challenges I know without God in my life and prayer I couldn’t exist I love music I listen to it all day long it inspires and I take a lot of my inspiration from music but this one song gives me strength ❤️
Halina your story is almost identical to mine, my
husband was always by my side thru thick and thin. My life changed last June and it is getting better as time goes on,
It takes awhile Kathy for me it was a long while don’t force anything just work thru your feelings and cry I feel it helps I do a lot of crying 😂
How kind of you to respond thank you sorry for your loss it is tough but we survive
I think God gives us all strength and courage and we don’t even realize that we have it until the time comes to use it. I totally understand Halina. I also am so glad that I have “met” you.
I’m so glad Graham gave us all the chance to meet on the chat it’s wonderful knowing you Donna ❤️
I have a lot of loss in my life and I can attest that it is indeed hard. Its emotional --feel them, its full of memories--remember and rejoice in them, talk about them and to them, it will get easier...
That’s beautiful Jody I love that song first I want to say I’m so sorry for your loss and I know how you feel they are our angels and will always be with us and yes we have to find the courage to go on for our children and for ourselves ❤️
Thank you David I love music I feel it heals ❤️
Hello Graham and to everyone in the community Happy Tuesday to all of you.It is Spring but I don’t feel it in Alberta it snowed yesterday.If I choose a song in solitude I love the song called One Day At A Time .It is very meaningful to me because at my age of 79 I just take it easy ,slowing down while I finish my life’s journey.I will still do my everyday routine helping the slow learners in school those kids who cannot read because they don’t know the sounds of the alphabet.I still do these things as a volunteer.I also help in the church brings flowers for the altar,join Bible study and prayer meetings in church.I decided to sell our business (Before And After School Care Program) if I close the deal then I will be able to visit my love ones I plan to go back to my point of origin b4 it is too late for me to travel.It us a 14 hours flight to the Philippines.One day at a time God knows what is good for me and to each one of us.We have to be strong with our faith and trust in the Lord. Cheers to all.
That is one of my favorite songs. I have since many. I hope you enjoy your one day at a time days and enjoy your self. You deserve it. ❤😇
Thank you Carolyn I always play it b4 I go to sleep.
What a beautiful song. I need to be reminded every single day, sometimes hour by hour.
Thank you Philip for giving attention to my comment I just take life one day at a time
Me too....at least I try! Blessings.
Elisa - I can hear that song in my head right now! Blessings!
Thank you Anne keep singing my dear
Thank you the words are very uplifting Anne Wooten prayers for you
I wished you could've made it back to the Philippines. Is it really out of the realms of possibility? I know it's a long trip (I'm going on a long one next Tuesday from Australia to Vancouver), but it's worth it if you can. Even for a week or a couple of days. If not, perhaps someone who lives there can take some video for you to see.
No matter what, I wish you all the very best. 🙏💕
Christine it is really a long flight 14 hours I still have 3 children and grandchildren to see and visit.By the way I already went to visit Sydney,Melbourne and Brisbane I enjoyed our 10 days stay there. God bless
I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. God bless you too. 🙏💕
Thank you Dolores I really like that song It fits me and the words I feel it in my heart.
Keep singing it Lori Mock
Lori ,That was one of my mum’s favourite song.You’ve got me singing it now!
Lori Mock thank you for liking it God bless
First, loved the background scenery.
When it comes to songs in my life, one of the most prominent would be the the song of regrets
Being on my own, I have plenty of time to reflect. Which is why the song of regrets is my first. A certain traumatic event (one I had no control of) in my past altered my life path.
I made choices out of fear which squashed my dreams & the way I pictured my life going. I have lived with regret due to my choices, but know that my fear & PTSD was too hard to alter those choices. Although I have missed out on a treasured dream, I have also gained. Which is now why I have a song of Acceptance & Appreciation.
I have experienced life in a different way & had many adventures & opportunities that I would never had had. I have been able to help others & gain from these experiences. I've done so much & never truly realised how much I appreciate the opportunities given to me. I chose a different path, but God has blessed me with so much & I have been given a new lease on life. A new purpose. I just had to listen to that song & allow it to take me to places where I am challenging myself & living my life with a new attitude.
My song, my path, has changed & I am changing with it. My adventures are only just beginning.
I have been reading so many comments, but yours got my attention...why who knows...you're song Acceptance and Appreciation is exactly what I have been struggling with. I have been on a muddled path. Im closing in on becoming 70. Graham talks about serving. My husband and I adopt ed a beautiful baby 27 years ago who was finally diagnosed w mental disorder. In her teens, she was a runaway. My husband put nails to keep windows shut, i slept in a room close to her. ...all to keep her safe. Trust me for years I read up on ways to help her, saw therapists, counselors, special schools all the while beating myself becausee I could not get through to her. I was on constant high alert for years with her, then she had a beautiful boy. She insisted to keep him. I agreed to help her, my husband and I divorced after 40 years of knowing this man. It was heartbreaking. Months later she left me with my grandson. He is soon to be 11 and also has difficulties. Your song is what I need to continue....Thank you, this community and especially Graham for his talents and inspirations. Thank you and blessings to all.
Blessings to you Brenda. I will pray for you.
Thank you Laura. I really appreciate your prayers.
Amazing life story … bless you 🙏🏻💜
Yes it has been a roller coaster ride for sure..Thank you
Brenda you are a very special person to God he chose you to take care of this daughter and grandson your husband just couldnt handle like you could so God chose you its too bad after fourty years your husband gave up God has your back he will always be there you are a angel helping God with his children he is so proud of you hang in there i will keep you in my prayers i know it sounds easy for everyone else to say hang in there but you have loved this family for years God has krpt you going and given you strenght Blessings to you my beautiful friend patty hamilton
Thank you Patty. You reminded me of a time when I became a Catholic. I was overwhelmed with gratefulness of such a beautiful ceremony. I sat in my yard on a sunny day, looking towards the sky, Thanking God for all of my blessings. I asked him to please use me to do.something good and I know he heard me.
Brenda, I am so humbled that my comment was the one that caught your attention.
What an amazing woman you are. To take on the difficult task & challenges after finding out about her diagnosis. To dealing with your divorce & now your grandson who is suffering also.
I hope that you are able to take time out for yourself. God chose you as an angel on earth & I'm glad that this community is able to be here for you. Bless you Brenda. 💕🙏🙏💕
Thank you for your kind words. Its taken me some time to open up and share. Everyone in this community are wonderful writers...
Brenda and Christine. I hear from yall courage and perseverance...and..love in purest form. Love and care given despite the situation. I am also humbled. I heard in Priests sermon today: " Never doubt what God has promised and given - His total Love, Care for us for eternity".
Thank you
Thank you Dolores
Thank you Lori. I'm no Saint lol. I have felt very alone for a long , long time. Lots of tears, some happy. I appreciate you and everyone for listening and hearing me. I thank you for your prayers of Guidance, Comfort, and Peace... Blessing to you as well and Graham for this community, his poems that I look forward.to on Tuesdays!
Wow, can I relate. Lots of choices in my life have led me to where I am. I want to say I have no regrets, but I would be lying. I am nowhere near where I expected I would be. I recently wrote a poem to express this, called "Disappointment." My only choice is to take steps moving forward. I cannot go back and change anything. I'm glad there are so many (like you) who seem to get that. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you all the best Philip with moving forward. Take care. 🙏
Thanks, Christine! I wish you the very best as well. Have a wonderful week.
Christine, I’m glad you’re on this new path. God will take you through this new journey. Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏💕
There is always time to start again and with God's help you will do it in the best way.
Appreciate your encouragement
💕🙏
Christine, I am so happy for this new path that you are on and that the regrets are no longer dominating how you feel and live your life. Your adventures and new outlook are transforming you. "This is just the beginning of the beginning....."
Thanks Cathey. Still have my ups & downs, but feeling more positive about the direction I'm on.
🙏
Life is beautiful. Life is also hard. So many joys but sorrows too. Ups and downs and choices to be made, some were good and some were bad but they all led to now. One thing always that I have is gratitude. In my heart I'm grateful for my life - all of it. And so much wasn't pretty but it led me here. I'm alive. And I'm grateful. Here is the song in my heart. "And no one can take the love from my heart."
https://open.spotify.com/track/3viE5jxHqgEx3E4NgwIcIE?si=2974164fcd1a4757
https://youtu.be/PzX-0ng3gXk
"Grateful" by Jewel
When everything's wrong
When I can't find my song
When darkness is all I see
There is a remedy
It's all the little things that make the world go round
It's all the little things that are almost powerful
There's no politician, no sky too dark
No one, no one can take the love from my heart
The sun gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun gonna shine, ooh ooh, it's true
Cause I can always be grateful
When the loudest sound
Is your own life crashing down
And when your friends, when your friends, they don't come around
There's one true thing I've found
It's all the little things, the bells that ring
The green green grass and the birds that sing
I'm gonna choose the bright side to see
And no one, no one, no one can take that from me
'Cause the sun gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun's gonna shine, ooh ooh, it's true
Cause I can always be grateful
So bring it on, bring it on, bring it on, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it on, bring it on, bring it on, bring it on, bring it on now
Sing it on, sing it on, sing it on, sing it on now
I'm singing on, I'm singing on
Singing on
'Cause the sun gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun's gonna shine
And in this heart of mine
The sun's gonna shine, ooh ooh, it's true
'Cause I can always be grateful
Powerful song! Love that line...No one can take the love from my heart.
That line resonates with me also Tricia.
"The sun gonna shine." Amen. I believe, help Thou my unbelief.
Barbara, love the words to this song.
Thank you for this beautiful song!🙏✨
Barbara! So much here in your comments is what I feel and expressed in mine. Read it and you will see how much we similarly articulated our thoughts. I think this is not the first time that has happened between us! Love and prayers to you, so.much gratitude for the life we have. 🙏🏻💜
Kindred spirits? Staying in gratitude has helped me from swaying too far away from center. I like Graham's description of staying aligned with our beliefs. It truly helps to visualize that alignment and works to keep me from drifting out too far.
oh i love this song so uplifting beautiful its so right no one can take the love from our hearts the sun is gonna shine so so touching all the little things makes the world go round thanks so much for sharing
No one can mess with that sun shining in our hearts. That love is ours to share, Patty! No one can take it from us.
Beautiful song that I didn't know at all. Thank you for sharing it
You're so welcome Patricia. I'm enjoying listening to these beautiful songs today. Some for the first time! How fun is this?
Love this song!
Love it too Cathey...and Jewel!
Nothing like a Graham Turesday to put us into "quiet time" to reflect on what we have just seen, just heard, just digested and now time for deeper thought. My first thoughts were to turn your words around Graham- Is it a blessing to be given the choice to refuse or is it a blessing to have the freedom of thought to be able to do so? Is it a blessing to be aligned with the bounty or is it the freedom to choose what comes our way to accept, or to refuse and either deny or to share with others? Often our minds get entangled with so much noise that to escape to that quiet, satisfying place may be the hardest exeercise of all. To be able to recognize that place of solitude that place of clarity is often more difficult than the decisions we finally make as a result.
OK now how do you find that song? For each individual, the song is different for sure. To some, it is dead silence, running water, hearing the waves splash against the rocks, a waterfall cascading down a mountain, sitting on your porch soaking in the sun and listening to nature, perhaps it's the rain pelting the windows as you gaze out into the yard or maybe, just maybe it is the sound of snow gently accumulating on the trees. It can be music, it can be the sound of the city, the sound of the country and of nature, it can be animals playfully communicating with each other and thinking are they talking about me?
I wrote on Substack exactly two months ago "Are We Ever Alone? I encourage you to go to it and really ponder this question for in this song of solitude that are we able to connect with the glorious world around us and make us feel whole again.
I also direct you to Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence" and really absorb those words as well.
"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk to you again, because a vision softly creeping left it's seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, Within the sound of silence".
Once I receive solace in these words I then can go forward and reach out to the external world electrifying my synapses to fire to create, to envision, to plan to intiate what I can do to make a mark on this world for the time I have remaining and how can I make others feel the best that they can feel and make the world around us a better place for those that come after us or for those that still remain.
"GRAHAM TUESDAY - I like it. :) Those words from Sounds of Silence are some of my favorite lyrics ever. I recently listened to a number of S&G songs. Another favorite lyric is "And a rock feels no pain. And an island never cries." I have always been able to relate to those words.
Found another song that brings me back to when I was 16- being an only child I spent hours and hours just quietly thinking and wondering where my life was headed- who I was gonna be, where I was going to college what was the right decisions I need to make? Beach Boys "In My Room"!!!
https://youtu.be/rKA5xedycjg
Jeffry, Your mention of The Sound of Silence brings back memories of a free concert in NY’s Central Park decades ago which I attended. Of course, there were thousands there but as S & G performed Sound of Silence a great quiet enveloped the crowd. There was such a peacefulness to the evening. Thanks for taking me down that particular memory lane.
Jeffry - when you mentioned the Sound of silence I immediately played the words in my brain. Every single one. They do remain there as others do with soft memories of the times they surrounded me. S and G were (are) my favorites of their gendre. I have an original vinyl album still wrapped of one of their concerts. I treasure it. I was at A Simon concert here in CA years ago and Garfunkel appeared with no notice. They sand together after so many years. It was magical. Loved your music description as sounds of the world around us. Many images created in my head and that to me is what music really is. Thank you friend. 🙏🏻💜
Boy, that song takes me back, but the words, melody, and their voices just resonate with me. Thank you for sharing and beautifully stated.
I like this song as well, but much prefer Disturb’s interpretation. His voice matches the darkness of the song.
I was in my car the other day and this song came on and I fell right into singing and feeling the words of this song..
Wow! You took the words out of my mouth...and the song.
Great song ….
https://youtu.be/NAEppFUWLfc
Here is the video from 1966!!! https://youtu.be/sO-XZKn5eig
Wow Graham, I had one of those wrinkles (bumps in the road) as you call it since Midnight. Being in my church choir, there are so many Praise and Worship songs that I listen to when this happens. Music really ministers to my soul. It did as I started on the health and wellness journey that I've previously shared. From the start, it was DonnyMac's "HOME" that inspired me to start this journey. This morning I listened to a lot of Praise and Worship music; read, prayed, and meditated on God's word to gradually bring me out of this "bump in the road." The last song I listened to that finally brought me back was again DonnyMac's "HOME". The words in the 3rd verse of his song "To Live is Christ to die is Gain", Philippians 1:21 KJV are my favorite because it reminds me that God is in control, and life as we know it here is temporary. It reminds me of my deep rooted Faith and keeps me steadfast to continue the health and wellness journey that I'm on. I'm sure there will be days in the future where these wrinkles (bumps in the road) will occur, but as long as I hold on to my FAITH, I know the journey will continue. I know most of you have heard and love this song, but if you haven't, here's a link to the You Tube Lyric Video.
Graham - thanks for sharing your heart and inspiration with us today! By the way, you looked like you were really enjoying yourself out in nature in the video, and I love the artwork. Eagles are one of my favorite creatures. Blessings! Cheers!
https://youtu.be/IFiDe65zx6s
Yes, Home, a favorite of mine, too. Anne, yes, the bumps are just what they are bumps! Learning to navigate over the bumps with the right tires on is the key. Here in Nashville, we are dealing with huge pot holes from a cold winter. I am constantly darting, going around and sometimes right into the holes. I love that idea...what will we "gain" as we die to Him! Freedom to not need the applause as Donny refers to is just one of the many freedoms.
Exactly the way I feel today! After walking awhile ago, I dodged quite a few tree roots, but what I gained from going on that walk is much greater.
Anne… I heard the podcast again this morning…loved the song and Donny’s comments at the end. Touching for sure.🙏
I totally agree, that entire podcast is one of my favorites. The answer to Graham's magic painting was so touching. Both Graham and Don McLeod inspired me so much as that is when I decided to take action and start this health and wellness journey.
Good luck on this journey…it’s very challenging to be consistent on these health and wellness journey. Keep me posted. I’ll cheer for you.
Thanks Danny, so far it’s going to well. 🙏
That’s awesome Anne…🙏
Yes Anne Home is beautiful and will inspire anyone who listens to it closely.🙏
As the day progressed, I’m so glad that I was able to process those thoughts that penetrated my brain earlier this morning. I used to let these bumps in the road linger until they would drag me down but thankfully I’m navigating around while embracing them. I’m grateful the day ended so much better than the beginning. It boils down to a choice we make for ourselves. Another song I like is called the Goodness of God by Bethel Music.
https://youtu.be/IvSuGyJQ6oM
Beautiful song .
Love that song, Anne!!
Thanks Anne ! The third verse is incredible and with God as co-pilot there is no bump we cannot pass.
Home is also a favorite song of mine!
Me too Irene HOME is my favourite song I introduced it to my church and we are learning it so that the choir will sing this song.
Oh well of course you shared Don's amazing song! It's one that I can't get over in a good way!
I know Cathey. Isn't it the truth? There's a lot of songs I listen to, but when these wrinkles come, in the end, it's this song that brings me out of it for now. Praise God it does.
Jody, that’s wonderful. I like the idea Barbara brought up last week about Graham opening up a health and wellness room on the new site. That will be awesome. I like all of Donny Mac’s songs, but I’m always brought back to Home. Blessings to you! 🙏❤️
Thanks Lori! I knew those thoughts were from Satan, but it just took a little longer today to process everything. I didn’t waiver though. Had my first one hour guitar lesson earlier, and I really like the first song I’m going to learn. It’s an oldie but goodie! The day ended well.
Well Graham, you always know where I am and what I am facing. I am ironing out the wrinkles and the transition to the last chapter in my life is much more difficult than I imagined. I have cried, laughed, prayed, spoke to a friend, sit in silence, and walked in nature. In my heart, I have faith that my vision will come to light. I am very grateful and appreciative of everything I have and I feel blessed but out of rhythm. I need a shift. I listen to music every day and love it. Today, my song would be Jesus, Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood.
I feel a lot like you. I hope the best for you along your journey
Love that song...the story behind it is a beautiful one, too! Love some Carrie! Praying for you to feel and accept the shift you referred to in your comment.
That's a good one! Her very first hit after American Idol!
I concur with many...LOVE THIS ONE! I am a note taker- so I took notes as I listened to your explanation. The lines that stood out the most are...it is about "the process of creating"; there will be "wrinkles, weights, self-doubts"; it is about choice and within making the choices, that is where the true work begins. I loved also, Graham, the idea that the "concerts will be composed instead of chasms". You mentioned that we may have a song according to our mood. So, I have several that play in my head! When I am tired (like yesterday), I may need to "let loose" and blast an old country music song with all the windows down. In my head I am driving a really cool car, like a jeep on a country road or through the mountains, but really I am in my old "mom-van"! I usually turn on George Straight or Bellamy Brothers or David Allan Coe when I am in that mood. If you know Jill Bolte Taylor's book, that is when my Character 3 is more actively online. When I am more in a prayerful mood, I go to Donny's "Glorious Victorious" lately. I also love "Because He lives" or Carrie Underwood's version of "How Great Thou Art" Here is a link to her and Vince Gill singing it on the Opry Stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk6gtZZgsNo
If I am needing to believe more in myself and realize that I have what it takes to get out there and do the work to create, I have loved lately this song by Anne Wilson and High Valley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em1XulbS980. The song that gets me to my core is Donny Mac's "Teach Me to Love". Two and a half years ago when my world was rocked, I had to make some choices. The choice to not allow the shadows to rule over me and to TRUST and let go of the fears that had become imprinted in my brain's chemistry needed to be rewired. The line in Donny's song that gets me every time is "I'm afraid to love those who keep breaking my heart." As I am creating, I am working hard...and yet I am actually loving my solitude and not afraid of the here and now and the not yet! Blessings to all for the rest of the week! Thank you again, Graham, for the beautiful sounds of the stream and the backdrop of God' beautiful nature.
I just was watching the performance of Carrie and Vince and wow, I did not remember how much they show dear Naomi Judd. If you don't know, she recently passed away and struggled with mental health for years. She is a remembered icon here in Music City and in and around the world of country music. It gives me more courage to keep creating and to allow the Lord to hopefully use my words (written and orally) to bring others the energy needed to face their fears and traumas.
Hi Tricia! Funny I've been watching that Carrie & Vince video of "How Great Thou Art" a lot lately. I noticed Naomi in the front row touched by their performance also. One never really knows what's going on in another person's mind... (except maybe a family therapist :) My Character 3 (Zippy) has been having fun rockin' to "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston lately. Keep creating...
That is such a tragic loss of an icon. I agree so many different songs for different mood swings or whatever life throws at us. I get exactly where you’re coming from.
Wrinkles and Weights. Choices and Decisions. Living our lives includes so many of these tributaries, some of which change us but nothing is forever. We can look back and seize the moment we may have missed. We can look forward and create new dreams from old wishes. I know. I have altered my journey multiple times. I have never regretted taking the leaps and seizing the opportunities which brought me to the ‘me’ of today.
Graham this is my very favorite poem. It’s aura is the sweet smell of personal choice and responsibility. The solitude of manifesting our own destiny while quietly balancing truth and love ; it does not get any better than this as far as I am concerned. Ultimately, we do create our own music by which we perceive our world.
I remembered something said by “Jack” in Season 9 of Heartland which has sat with me since: he said to “Lou” that he would not want to “meet the liar who claimed his life had turned out exactly how he had
imagined it would”. This is part of my truth. Many corners, many changes, different priorities and at different times.
My hobby farm in process is the fulfillment of a very old wish which had been dismissed long ago~ rationalized away, forgotten and crowned as a fantasy never to be realized. The weights! The wrinkles! The “choices”?
Then my own epiphany and emerging as the butterfly does, free to fly, free to dream… the gradual realization of the long ago wish. In my solitude (literally) I said, why not?
The joy I feel, the freedom of choice, the excitement of truth, the fullness of life. Everything sparkles. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have opened the locked door and found this community of support. I share the dreams of so many other wonderful new friends and all the while I feel myself continuing to blossom into the light.
Thank you for this Graham. The poem is a true inspiration. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry, thanks for sharing. You always have such a way saying something that I need to hear. Love hearing the updates regarding the hobby farm. Take care and blessings to you!
Thank you Anne. That means so very much to me! We share and learn from each other~ How blessed we all are. 🙏🏻💜
Love you are finding such joy and newness with your hobby farm!! Such a fun way to open a new door! I can't wait to see the little kids hopping about!
Soon they will be at their forever home! I am definitely full of joy and anticipation. So many questions but the answers will come with experience and time. 💜💜
Good Morning! I had trouble playing this video, it kept stopping at phrases like …”songs we sing in solitude….process of creating…..unconscious songs in our head.” I kept restarting it, hearing the phrases again. Then in between a message popped up posted by a dear friend, it stopped me in my tracks….
I started calling that girl back.
The girl who loved living,
The girl who danced instead of walking.
The girl who had sunflowers for eyes
And fireworks in her soul.
I started playing music again,
Hoping she would come out.
I started looking for beautiful moments to experience,
So she would feel safe enough to show herself,
Because I knew she was in there,
And she needed my kindness and my effort
To come to the surface again.
-s.c. lourie
I’m gobsmacked. I’m writing through eyes blurred with tears. There are no coincidences. The combination of the messages, having to restart the video and each time it stopped at another impactful thought and then this poem kept popping in. I am awestruck and feeling like hope and joy is rushing out with blessings. I am so grateful for every new day I am given, to try again, another chance to play that song and dance, even alone. The smallest of gestures can mean so much if only you stop to appreciate them and soak them in….Happy Mother’s Day from Graham, I love you from Aimee and coffee yesterday with Linda filled with so many laughs and beautiful hugs and Flat Jesus, a message from David that something lost had been found. I am blessed in so many ways, I am grateful. I have a song that has played for me since I was a little girl - Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World. It is my anthem, comfort that everything is going to be okay. I feel like it has played and comforted me just when I need it. I will dance to this song and celebrate two poems that came to me today. It is indeed, a wonderful world! I am that girl with fireworks in her soul! Much love and cheers!
Coffee with you yesterday was what I needed after a week of too much solitude, it helped me shift focus. Always so inspiring when we get together….by the way Connie gives the best hugs!!
Oh Linda! What a great way to start the week! This community has brought us together. As we talked yesterday, I find myself longing for human touch, one of the hardest parts of being alone. Hugs! My favorite thing to do. I pray, I will get the opportunity to hug some others who are in this community. A hug is blending spirits! I am here for you in your solitude. ❤️❤️❤️
I would imagine she does! Would love to have one!
Our hug will come!!
Love the poem! Isn't it so great when sweet messages come from all directions?
Absolutely!❤️❤️❤️
That’s a great song Connie! Being with friends and/or family is the best.
I relate to this poem so much. I’m the girl too she comes out then retreats. I need to be kinder to her so she stays. Thanks 🙏 heaps
Tanya, more tender and gentle for sure ❤️❤️
So warming Connie. Thank you for sharing your heart. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry, ❤️❤️❤️
Same to you Connie. 😍
WOW. very well written and expressed...
Thanks Bonnie! It was so timely, I had to share it! ❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful Connie! Thank you for sharing! There are most certainly NO COINCIDENCES! It’s amazing when the universe and God speak. Love you more
Thanks Aimee! The universe was working its magic on this!