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Monday, October 19, 2009
Friendship IXX by Khalil Gibran
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
An Evening with Friends
Once in a while you meet people and you just 'click.' You get that feeling that you've known them for years and there's an instantaneous settled notion that you're with family. I felt this way last night after meeting Mr. Eric Reed. Phenomenal musician, sincere man, and passionate about 3 things (in my best understanding): music, people, and the Lord. Maybe not in that specific order, but you're not with him just a couple of moments and these things become keenly evident. What a blessing when you find such a person and they are your friend. They are truly a gift, to you and to the world in which they inhabit.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eric Reed: Celebrating Monk's Birthday
Where:
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
2751 Broadway
NY, NY 10025
When:
Friday & Saturday
October 16th & 17th
8pm, 10pm, 11:30pm shows
"When you think of hard-driving swing, daring expression, sophistication and elegance in artistry, formidable technique and a thunderous sound, there are only a small handful of pianists you think of and one of them is most assuredly ERIC SCOTT REED."
(Artist Bio: http://ericreed.net/biography.php)
Eric Reed will be performing at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in NYC, October 16th & 17th, as the Thelonious Monk Birthday Tribute. I will have the great privilege and honor to attend one of the shows on this coming Saturday night and I am sure it will be a wonderful time!
I have had the pleasure to get to know Eric, as well as you possibly can, through the social networking site Facebook. And, although I know "cognitively" that he is an amazing artist with a tremendous resume of playing with a great many legendary jazz musicians in the world, I am not overcome by this fanaticism regarding his presence or his music. Don't get me wrong, he is a phenomenal pianist, but to me, he has become a friend...he is just a man with an extraordinary talent. I am more thrilled with the idea that I will finally be able to meet the person, Eric Reed.
There are many things I appreciate about Eric, first and foremost, is his great passion for the Lord, and his unwillingness to yield or compromise his core beliefs and integrity. He speaks with candor and sensitivity, with a heart for education and greater understanding. I believe he endeavors to be like Jesus in every way, bringing people from darkness into the light, through his words and music. I believe it is the way he has chosen to live his life, with Jesus as his foundation, that has caused him to be so wonderfully blessed in his career, and favored in his journey.
I have been personally blessed by his willingness to share his vast musical knowledge, insight, and experiences in jazz. He has opened up my eyes and ears to musicians and their music that I never knew existed, and helped me gain appreciation for jazz that goes beyond the surface expression, 'Wow, that sounds nice.' He has encouraged me to study and research the great history of the music and in turn has broadened the spectrum of my learning. Through this, I have gained a great passion for jazz that will be an eternal love. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
If you have never heard Mr. Eric Reed, I encourage you to visit his website. You will be able to listen to some of his music, read about his experiences, and see where he will be performing next. I guarantee, you will not be disappointed. Mr. Reed is the real deal.
Happy listening!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Charlie...the sweetest little boy!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.
Its time to go home...
(335 x 335 - 44k - jpg - xroads.virginia.edu/.../images/aspects.jpg)
Its time to go home...
After 13 months, I have decided to move back to Charlotte, NC. I actually had been contemplating the decision to return for several months, and had even reconsidered, deciding to remain in the DC metro area for another year. However, my heart said it was not going to be so. And, the decision on the part of my Parents to relocate to the Carolinas after having lived in Indiana for 35+ years, made my choice even more appropriate.
I left Charlotte in September 2008 after having lived there for 8 years. Desiring a change of scenery and not a new vision, led me away from the FIRST place in which I knew I was called. I came to DC/MD because I wanted to. Not because I had felt a release to leave Charlotte. I left out of frustration and disappointment in my, then, current circumstances. That was one of my biggest mistakes. Instead of facing things where I was, I ran. And it just made matters worse. Poor choices and a bit of naivety wreaked major havoc. It wasn't until I finally got fed up with things that the tide began to turn. Exhibiting the same actions and expecting different results should be the definition of insanity, if it isn't already.
I am so thrilled to be returning to my home. One of the major things I realized is that you never really know what something means to you until its gone. I feel I have gained a greater appreciation for Charlotte, and have a fresh vision for the new season that is ahead. Sometimes its best just to stand still when your emotions are running high, whether good or bad. I didn't heed that advice a year ago. When in doubt, don't make a move.
Sadly, I will be leaving behind a beautiful and sweet little boy, whom I have had the privilege and honor to care for over this past year. I am a full time nanny, and have been so completely blessed by my employers, and their entire family. I plan to remain in contact with them after I have relocated, as this little boy will have a permanent part of my heart, forever. I am thankful for understanding and generous and kind and loving employers who have blessed me immeasurably and allowed me into their lives and homes, and trusted me with their child. This is no small feat.
I will also be leaving behind a handful of wonderful new friends, as well as some established friends. They have all been special to me and I count it a privilege to know them. Being in the DC metro area has afforded me the opportunity to come in contact with so many phenomenal jazz musicians and singers and artists.....I feel my life has forever been enriched and my perspective and perceptions broadened. I loved jazz before I moved here, but it has become even more special to me than I ever imagined. It truly speaks to my soul. What a rich heritage this city possesses in jazz! I am blessed to have been surrounded by it, and immersed in it. It is now woven into the tapestry of my spirit.
I know that I am going home a changed woman....fresh, alive, and with a new vision!
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