FIRST PERFORMANCE

Crystal Weber 09-18-11

So I had my first-ever two-hour original-song concert last night and it went amazing :)  There was a wonderful turnout and it seems like everyone had a lot of fun.  I have performed in public countless times through the years but never for a two-hour show of just me playing my own original music.  It is so much different but so rewarding.   Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

I can tell you I was so very nervous yesterday before show time.  I was driving my poor husband crazy I am sure with my anxiety.  However shortly before show time I shot up a quick prayer, as soon as I started playing a peace washed over me and I was able to focus on getting out my messages through my music and having a fun time doing what I love.  I am thinking that for future performances I will be much calmer beforehand as I know what to expect and will remember the incredible rush that comes from doing what you are made for.  I also learned more about the on-going lesson of to just trust and have faith.  We are to be positive and leave it all in God’s hands that he will provide.  As with everything, self-improvement and awareness is a life-long process and learning and growth. 

I am going to keep on working on my music and performing as I feel a calling to share it with others so that hopefully they will be encouraged and inspired in their own lives from it.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

    

MARK THAT OFF THE BUCKET LIST

Crystal Weber 09-10-11

“Losers quit when they’re tired. Winners quit when they’ve won.” ~ Author Unknown

I did it!  I can officially mark running a half marathon off of my bucket list – whoot whoot!!  13.1 miles done.

It was very extremely difficult not to push myself past my limits and pass people I thought I could have but probably shouldn’t.  I knew it was very important to listen to my body and heart rate so I didn’t get hurt.  I am a very competitive person in everything I do by nature and always strive for excellence. I can tell you I was tossing up more than one prayer up to God while doing my run that I would not get injured and once I finished I thanked Him I didn’t get hurt and that I finished with a decent time.  I think I could be a pretty good runner if I trained for it more, but I just have way too many other things I enjoy more to devote that much time to it. If only someone could invent a way to add more hours to the day :)

Anyway, the endorphins I felt when I was done were amazing as was the sense of fulfillment.  However, I am so incredibly sore today!  It is comical to watch me walking at the moment.  But I know come Monday I’ll feel back to normal.  I do know that I find great joy in running 5Ks and 10Ks and that a half marathon is just one of those things I always wanted to do in my life at some point so checking that off the list!  Who knows, maybe I’ll attempt it again in a few years but I would like to go back to 5Ks and 10Ks next year so I can run faster and finish higher up but I have learned to never say never.  This was a very positive, life-learning experience for me.   

I will revel in the knowledge that I have completed this goal and retain the memories I acquired attaining it.

Anyway, go run in the grand race of life and keep on pushing to the finishing line, you all-stars!

Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

YOUR LIFE IS A SOUNDTRACK

Crystal Weber 09-02-11

“The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Exodus 15:2   Music is the expression of the soul. It can comfort us when we are having a tough day or it can pump us up before a big challenge.  It can help us fall into love and it can help us celebrate a happy time in our life.  My life has always been a soundtrack of music.  I can hear a certain song and be transported back to the first time I heard it or some significant moment that was occurring when I heard that song playing.  I am sure it is the same for many of you as well.  A life without music would be a horrible thing.  Take a little time and think about what songs have influenced you throughout your life.

The last year and a half is when I really started writing songs.  I have always been into playing music; just other people’s. I never realized what a different story doing other people’s music versus your own would be until I got into it.  Writing songs for me has been so therapeutic, inspiring, and fun!  I love it and am continuing to develop my skills and study theory.  As amazing as it is, it is as equally terrifying to me.  Some people are writers that sit down and actively write at scheduled times.  Others are hit with inspiration quickly and surely.  I fall into the latter group.  I will be suddenly struck with an idea and grab a pad of paper and pen and in the next ten minutes a song will form.  Then on from there I add the rest of the music and fine-tune it and do the hard work of course.  But the original process of writing just flies onto the page in a sort of quick burst of excitement.  I am not sure whether or not this is the norm, nor do I think that particularly matters.  It works for me and God wires us all in different ways and it is up to us to discover which ways he wired us and to accept and go along with it.  I can only trust in Him that my muse will continue and my inspiration will not be fleeting.

I think we are all inspired by different people, places, and things.  Everything happens for a reason and we need to learn what we can from our life experiences and draw the good that we can out of anything that occurs.  Music is not about the artist, but the listener.  This follows the pattern of life because life is not about you but about what you can do for others and how you can influence and change lives. 

Unleash your inner songwriter.  Grab some paper or your laptop and get writing.  But if that’s not your passion or talent, go and find whatever it is and work as hard as you possibly can.  After all, you are made for greatness so figure it out and live boldly and bravely.  As for me, I am going to continue to push hard to become the best musical instrument for God that I can possibly be. 

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” Psalm 104:33

Your life is a soundtrack.  What song is currently playing on yours?  Turn it up and free your soul!