{music}

music has always been a big part of my life.  i started singing when i was little.  i sang in the church choir, was in chorus in high school, and was a voice-performance major my freshman year of college (and graduated a finance major - go figure).  i took piano lessons, dance, played the alto sax in middle school, and i want to learn how to play the guitar (perhaps by the time i'm 35?).  i can also play a mean recorder.  just ask my husband - haha.

there are so many songs in the soundtrack to my life.  there are so many memories connected to those songs.  i love songs that are not well-known or 'mainstream'.  when i hear a song during a show like 'grey's anatomy' or on 'so you think you can dance', etc., i go to google, type in some of the lyrics i remember, and add them to my itunes wishlist (or sometimes i'm really crazy and i go ahead and buy them ;)). 

it is amazing when i hear someone singing live, knowing exactly what they're feeling as they're hitting that perfect note, in that perfect spot in their voice, and getting chills (and sometimes tears).  amazing.

i love love love the playlists that rachel plays during my hot class.  i know that i'm supposed to be breathing and not *thinking*, but my mind drifts to the lyrics and sometimes i find myself keeping time to the music with my breath.  and i do try to snag pieces of the lyrics so that i can find the songs in itunes later on.  (sometimes you'll see me in my car after class, just typing away on my iphone.  last night i found two).

music is my therapy.  it is healing.  and i completely love it.

-j

i am thirsty

my journey thus far has been incredible.  if even just to me.

i FEEL better, i have lost weight (13 pounds and counting), i am stronger, i found a love in yoga, i have made great strides in my personal life (perhaps i will share one day)...and i am thirsty.

i thirst for more of God's Word, i thirst for yoga, i thirst for happiness, i thirst for continuous self-improvement...

a girl in my 40-day group posted the following picture onto our facebook group.  i found it on pinterest:



for most of my life, i have not actually 'lived'.  i have used the way i look as an excuse.  an excuse not to go shopping (why stand around while others try on clothes that don't fit me?), to go out in college (who would want to look at me?), to go to the gym (with everyone else looking hot while they sweat... while i just looked sweaty), etc. etc..

so, even SHOWING UP at the yoga studio was a HUGE step for me. :)  and i am so glad i had the courage to do so.

because while i was missing out on EXPERIENCES in my life, i was minimizing my own determination.  my own strength. 

i have every right to live life and experience, just like everyone else who i used to think deserved it more than me.

i am MORE than the way i look.  i am beginning to realize that now.  i have a lot to offer to the people around me.

i am so THIRSTY to continue to improve myself - spiritually, mentally, physically... and i thank you for supporting me in my journey.

-j