FAWM 2010- February Album Writing Month

I think I could well be becoming addicted to these “do-x in a month” things. The latest challenge wants 14 songs this month.

I’ve already written number one- “Hotter than Hot (The Newspaper Song)”

Hear it here

Part of the Plan- Dan Fogelberg

This song was completely new to me when I stumbled across it yesterday- I’ve listened to it practically non-stop since then.

“Love when you can,
Cry when you have to
Be who you must,
That’s a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival,
And one day we’ll all understand
One day we’ll all understand…”

The song speaks to me on a soul level, and I thought I’d share it, so it might reach out to someone else.

May Dan Fogelberg rest in peace.

Paramhansa Yogananda’s Appearance Day

Today is a most spectacular day…the anniversary of the birth of Paramhansa Yogananda (sometimes spelled Paramahansa Yogananda.)

Paramhansa Yogananda- SRF Lake Shrine, August 20, 1950

I owe this dear soul more than I can accurately express. He showed me, through “Autobiography of a Yogi” and his countless other books and teachings, that there is a universal way to find God. For that, and so much more, I am very grateful to Him.

Jai Guru-Yogananda! *

*Jai is a Sanskrit term meaning “Victory” or “All glories”- thus, “Victory to the Guru, Yogananda!” or “All glories to the Guru, Yogananda.”

Happy New Year to all!

Wherever you may be, and however far into 2010 you already are, I would like to wish one and all a Happy New Year!

Here’s to it being the best yet!

When things aren’t going your way…read this.

I happened to read this on a forum yesterday, and thought it was too beautiful not to share. I hope you enjoy it, particularly at this time of year.

Not The Way You Planned

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.
They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said,
‘Someday I hope to be a great treasure chest. I could be filled with gold,
silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with an intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.’
Then the second tree said, ‘Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and Queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. People will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.’

Finally the third tree said, ‘I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill, look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.’

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, ‘This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, ‘This looks like a strong tree. I will be able to sell it to the shipyard.’ The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the men said,’I don’t need anything special from my tree, I’ll take this one,’ and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying Kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said ‘Peace’ and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
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The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined…

We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the palm of His hand.

A day for celebration- 29th November 2009

Eight years ago yesterday, George Harrison went home. How fortunate we were to have had such a great soul with us on this planet for a while. As I wrote last year, I remain grateful for his “presence” in my life over the past five years, as I found God through him. Well, I found Chris through him, and through her I found God. May He bless them both richly, as they deeply deserve.

At one with God, so he never really left. Hare Krishna!

52,750 words!

I can’t believe it, but I did it.

 

52,750 words!

Thanks for your support along the way, folks. Now it’s onward and upward to actually finish it. The 50,000 words didn’t quite do it.

The book shall be finished tomorrow!

48,354 words at present- another 1667 takes it to 50,021, which means I’ve completed the NaNo goal, and can finish it leisurely-like.

33,049 words. 16,951 to go.

As of today, I reached the thirty-three thousand word mark. I am feeling great at this point in time, because it means I may actually get the project finished. I am attending a gathering of like minded individuals on the 28th, and will hopefully be able to say I have completed the 50,000 words by the end of the month. That will be wonderful, and I will finally be able to say I’ve done it.

Nineteen thousand and sixty five words, and the story isn’t over

Last night, I passed 19,000 words. I feel this is worthy of a minor celebration, but it’s nothing like the celebration there will be if I reach the fifty thousand mark.