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Living passionately, presently and purposefully
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Often we feel we have to eat, pray and love in a year-long pilgrimage to regain passion in our lives. But shifting our view of our daily do's can bring a level of passion to our lives we may not have realized. - photo by Connie Sokol
At times we may feel the need to eat, pray and love in a year-long pilgrimage to regain passion in our lives. But shifting our view of our daily do's can bring a level of passion to our lives we may not have realized.

1. Passionately

When we discover deeper meaning in seemingly regular experiences, we gain increased energy, happiness and influence.

One year our spunky daughter was struggling in the classroom. After considerable thought we felt to move her to a different environment and instructor. The new teacher was Mrs. Shipp, and talk about daily passion! Even though as a second-grade teacher she repeated information and mundane tasks, Mrs. Shipp sparked each childs desire to learn through her own unquenchable fire. She marinated those children in love by praising small efforts. And throughout the day they joined her in the good job cheer" to encourage good efforts.

Whether youre a furnace man, sales clerk or an at-home mother, look for the meaning in what you do. Is it a person you help, a service you provide or a product that makes life more efficient? Insignificant as it may seem, when seeking that minor meaning, youll find the fulfillment. When I look at my children I try to think, Im nurturing and developing a human being a living, loving person. In those moments, the overflowing laundry room doesnt bother me so much. (In those moments .)

2. Presently

A few months ago I helped women create their Life Boards (sometimes called Vision Boards). One of the tips I suggested was to choose a key word or phrase (or a few) to aptly describe their ideal life this coming year.

Taking my own advice, in a quiet moment I considered a word for my life. In the past, Ive used joy, brave, centered and others. This time, the word free came very clearly. As I thought what that looked like, I recognized certain areas of my life that needed more freeing and ways that I could more free others around me.

Ironically, after that experience I saw the word everywhere. Then a few weeks ago I spent time with good friends. We shopped at a big-barn store chuck full of crafts and knickknacks. I happened to walk by a thematic Willow Tree statue with a placard descriptor that said Free (unfortunately referring to the statues symbolic meaning, not the price). The caption read, FREE to sing, laugh, dance create. Bingo that shot straight to my soul. It stands on my desk as a daily reminder to stay in that frame of my mind for both myself and others.

3. Purposeful

Have you considered what you do, say or experience that makes you feel purposeful? Try finding it in unpretentious ways such as simple service.

Earlier this week on a slushy, sleety, gloomy day, three different people out of the blue specifically said to me, You have a good day today. That brightened my mood. Shortly afterward at the grocery store, I happened to see brightly colored mums, bushy and delightful. Paying the feeling forward I picked them up for neighbors and delivered them later, in a blizzard no less. The stark contrast from the sleeting snow backdropped against the bright mums made me feel better. I was bringing sunshine. Though it was a mere gesture, my mood not only lightened but the day felt purposeful on a new level.

As we change our lens on what it means to live passionately, presently and purposefully, we truly can find big fulfillment in everyday ways.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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