I can’t help but notice the envelope itself. That very piece of paper molded into a pocket for treasure has my name on the front. This means that no one else is legally allowed to read it without my consent. This means that the person writing wanted ME to get something special. This means that what is inside is just especially for ME, Marissa, from someone who cares enough to write and give the cost of a stamp. Yes, I am convinced that good letters from friends are some of the very best things in life and that those special envelopes can make your day. Because what’s inside is just for you…Totally, completely, 100% just for you! Think about it, I sure like too

Are any of these hard for you? I find several experiences difficult to bear. Then, something will happen. A fellow student will organize a study group. Someone will call to check on me. My doorbell will ring & a friend will drop of muffins or a CD to keep me company. Someone will offer support in some way.

How do we live through these moments?  And what do we do with the experience we gain after the moments have passed?  As with the birth of a child, sometimes we are thrown into a new situation (caring for a newborn) following a difficult experience (labor and delivery).  Do we take the time to process each experience to gain the wisdom that is offered?  Do we ponder and reflect so we can see the hand of others and the hand of God in our lives?  I promise you that if you do take a moment of reflection, you will see the support surrounding you, the light within yourself, and the resources to strengthen you.

I remember calling my husband, exasperated, around 2 p.m. some afternoons when our children were young.  I would need a moment to breathe, and the little ones in my care would be yet to nap.  I felt like they were NEVER going to go to sleep.  I know he could hear the desperation in my voice.  He would say these words calmly to me, “They will take a nap.”  His words would pacify me; soon, the children were sleeping soundly. 

Sometimes in situations which may be difficult, whether as short-lived as an afternoon of busy children or as lasting as a prolonged illness, may seem to never end.  They will.  And, if you take a moment to reflect on the love and blessings in your life, your joy will be more lasting than the hard things that are happening to you right now.  I promise.  You will make it! 

Not all days are sunny ones though, and that fact seems tragic to me at times. All I will want to do is go outside but find the rainy weather an automatic turn off of the trip outdoors. Or perhaps I find the forecast to be cloudy or windy or any number of other hindrances of my sunshine enjoyment. It’s those rainy or cloudy or windy days that force me to find some other way to spend my time. Cooped up within the walls of my home I often begin my work with a less enthused attitude. But as time goes on, I find a way to adapt to a new working environment.

Although it is not sunshine, the rain is necessary for things to grow. The water soaks into the soil of plants wishing for nourishment and hydration. Water is wonderful. Rain is wonderful as well and the sooner I appreciate it the better.

So it is with our lives. There will be times of sunshine, when nothing could possibly feel better, as will there be times of rain, forcing us to get comfortable inside. The flow of life and challenges often give us cause to adapt. I’ve been thinking about this lately and have come to the conclusion that, just like plants, we need both sunshine and rain.

So, I practiced breathing. I was hooked up to a monitor to measure muscle responses. As I relaxed into the exercise, we could see the beat pattern of my heart. My breathing was more stable and my heart rate slower as I focused my thinking on the raising and lowering of my stomach as I breathed. Breathing correctly can trigger a relax response in our bodies.

I wanted to share this with you today to benefit you and help you empower your families and friends to relax. Even in stressful times, we can calm our body and therefore keep ourselves healthier.

The first time, it works best to be in a recliner or on a bed. Slowly take in air through your nose. Breathe deeply, watching as your stomach expands. If you have trouble accomplishing this, place a tissue box (or something similar) on your stomach to watch your stomach move up as you inhale and go down as you exhale. Slow your breathing as you relax the muscles in your jaw. A relaxed jaw has the tongue on the roof of the mouth and the teeth are slightly apart (the mouth is closed).

You can breathe this way while sitting in a chair, walking or doing any other activity. I did notice that my headache was worse the first few times I tried this exercise and was told this is normal, but as I continue to practice twice a day, it will improve my health. My favorite place to practice is on my morning walk, outside, surrounded by beautiful trees and usually a blue, blue sky. Try it for yourself.

Aim for a quiet time and breathe deeply for twenty minutes. I feel energized after I practice. I hope you will too. Empower yourself with the breath of life. Just Breathe.

Seriously, though, I was not one who was running very much when I was younger. In fact, I was on my track team in high school–but not for what you would think (running track). In fact, my two events were long jump and high jump (which involve very little running–and not much time of people watching you run, since the focus is on the jump). I had a severe concern about running in front of people.

Where did this fear find its roots? Well, my earliest memory is that someone flippantly remarked to me once–let me repeat that so you understand completely–ONCE–that I looked “funny” when I ran. Ha. Ha. Right?

When I aged a bit, I still would keep from running at all costs. When I exercised, I would go to aerobics classes or weight train so I didn’t have to run. I learned to walk quickly if I need to get somewhere fast–being careful not to break into a full-fledged run. I even wondered, after becoming a mother, if I looked silly running to grab one of my children after an injury or if they were headed for danger. Silly me.

I have begun anew to build my self-awareness–and guess what? I like to run. I would even venture to say that I love to run. I love to feel the air on my face and feel my feet fly beneath me. I love the way I ache the next day after a good run, and I even love the breathless feeling I get sometimes when I run really fast.

This story came up recently when I spoke with my children about the power of their words to each other and the importance of speaking positively. You never know what a flippant remark can do to someone…! And, because I didn’t have the strength then to bear the criticism, I missed years of something that brings me joy…

Thank goodness my brother still updates me on the latest pick-up lines…another aspect of life that I enjoy!!!

I have fallen in love…with music.

(I had you going there for a minute, didn’t I? tee hee )

But seriously, it occurred to me that, although my blog is entitled “Marta’s Melodies,” and although I’ve told you that I got my undergraduate degree in music, I’ve never really explored with you how I feel about it, and why I feel the way I do about it.

My musical journey probably began long before I was even born.  I come from a long line of musical talent and appreciation on both sides of my family, and I’m sure I loved listening to my mother’s mezzo-soprano when I was in utero.  I started piano lessons at five, where I learned to follow the rules; I started writing my own songs at about seven, where I began to break them.  Then, after a brief period of rebellion (wherein I thought I wanted to quit piano lessons forever),  I took a really big leap and declared a music major, which I still think is one of the best decisions I ever made.

As I worked on my major, a funny thing happened to me:  I learned.  And I learned that learning more about something I loved so much made me happy.  I got to work with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and have a crazy bunch of fun while I did it.  I was able to participate in everything from tiny solo pieces to gigantic choral numbers.  I sang.  I played.  I grew.  I found and developed my voice, in every sense of the term. 

But if I told you music was merely a source of enjoyment and academic stimulation, I’d be lying.  Music was and is my refuge when life gets too crazy and I need an outlet (or when I’m literally up to my eyeballs in science formulas and biochemical pathways and I’ve got to engage my right brain or go crazy).  It’s one of the ways I experience things. 

I usually end my blogs with a challenge, but I’m not going to this time.  (Then again, I usually don’t get this introspective and soul-baring either, so I guess it’s okay, lol.)  Instead, I’m going to leave you with one of my absolute favorite classical pieces, with the hope that you’ll enjoy it as much as I do

The Lark Ascending – Vaughan Williams

On this list was “to order ice cream from an ice cream truck”. This is something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember. Each day an ice cream truck makes its rounds through my neighborhood and I think about how someday, before I die, I am going to go out there and get some. I’ve gotten close to going out there probably twenty times, but I always seem to let it go through the neighborhood.

Last week I heard that familiar sound of the ice cream truck and thought “today is the day!” Today was the day for me to live my dream and do something I’ve always wanted to do. I got up and went out the door, flagged down the ice cream truck and bought ice cream. It was amazing!! I could taste my dream coming true…quite literally.

So today really is the day for you to live your dreams. Whether large or small, it’s time to take those steps out to the ice cream truck and live the life you’ve always wanted. You can do it!

Sometimes, not often enough, we reflect upon the good things
And our thoughts always center around those we love.
And I think about the people who mean so much to me
And for so many years have made me so very happy.
And I count the times I have forgotten to say “thank you”
And just how much I love them.

I sing this song in my mind, and I think about how important it is to express my love and my gratitude to those I care for deeply. I feel the need to express myself in varying modes. Sometimes, I write a love note; sometimes I express my thanks by a telephone call. I use whatever vehicle strikes my mood and circumstances at the moment (though my father-in-law always preferred the written word so that he could read it again and again). Sometimes I share my love and thanks by a glance, a hug, or through singing to those I love. What about you?

I have found that when I decide to share love with others, I find myriad opportunities to do so! Will you join me? Will you decide to make a concerted effort to express love and thanks to each member of your family during each week? And, what will you do to share your love with others this week? Expressing love and gratitude increases our love for each other.

1.  What kind of time have you spent considering what is written on your heart?    a.  Days      b. Minutes    c. Hours    d. Seconds    e. Not even a moment

Okay, what was your answer?  (This question is meant to be part of the discussion and not part of the quiz, mind you!)  And I’m not talking about flippant desires, either, such as, “I want a Like It with sweet cream ice cream with Reese’s mixed in from Coldstone!” or “I’d like to have a housekeeper & chef to take care of my house & meals so I can spend more time enjoying my children/hobbies/connections/fill-in-the-blank…!”

Do you know what is written on your heart? Life is full of surprises–and yet, we can still keep our eyes on goals which lead us to the desires of our hearts.

When I was in college, a friend asked me about some goals I wanted to accomplish. I numbered several writing endeavors on the fingers of my hand as we sat among art projects, and then we went back to work.  That moment has replayed in my mind on several occasions since.  I feel driven to do the work that I discussed with her that day.  Since that day, too, I have married an amazing husband, given life to a handful-plus of amazing children, and fulfilled some of the other work that has been written on my heart for as long as I can remember.

Still, I reflect on the writing projects.  I work on them (though not at the expense of my family…and dishes…and laundry….and cooking–those items can’t wait until we get that housekeeper/chef!).  And I have picked up a few more projects since then that are written on my heart–such as supporting women and marriages and families through MPower Generations.  This project, too, is written on my heart.

So, what about you?  Will you take a few moments to reflect on the wonderful accomplishments you have achieved thusfar which have been a part of you and welcome the new opportunities before you to discover the language written on your heart?  You’ll be happy you did…

And, okay, I liked it.  (Wouldn’t you?)  In fact, I even have a “superhero” pose, where I stick my hands on my hips and look off into the distance, well, heroically.  I’m not sure if the pose preceded or followed the nickname, but I do know this:  when I hear her call me her “superhero,” or even anytime I feel semi-heroic, and I do the superhero pose, I feel awesome.  Like it’s some sort of symbol or representation to the world that YES!  I AM this awesome!  And I am pretty, and talented, and brilliant, and amazing!

I, Marta, AM a superhero.  I CAN change the world.  I WILL change the world.

I AM ALREADY CHANGING THE WORLD AND MAKING IT A BETTER PLACE.  Every. Single. Day.

Gee whirlikers, that felt good!  I never put into words what that pose really meant to me.  I should do it more often!

So here’s the challenge:  copy me–or at least copy my superhero pose.  Or, alternatively (and maybe even better), make up your own.  See what wonders it does for your feelings of self-worth.  You can even wear a cape and funny tights, and run–I mean, fly–around your house humming your very own theme music if you feel like it…because you ARE a superhero, and you deserve to feel like one.

Or at least feel lusciously ridiculous while running like a maniac through your house singing an original melody at the top of your lungs, hoping your neighbors won’t notice the brightly colored, noisy thing rushing around your property.  Whatever works