Music of My Heart

Time after time I resort back to the understanding that music helps me understand and put words into place for my emotions. In the last few days, I have thought long and hard about life in the direction of what God is telling my heart. At times, my heart seems sad or gloomy but most times it is full of excitement and energy to take on the world. Further, I look back at my parents and how they introduced me into the music world and kept me going with music through years of rehearsals, practices, and performances either as a saxophonist or a vocalist. I love them for their relentless support and care of me through the years because as the Backstreet Boys said "[they] were the perfect fans."

Anyways, today's blog is more about where I am and the shape of my heart. No, this time it is not a boy band tribute. Although, I could if I wanted to. As of right now, my life is heading in a new direction. I have officially announced that I am leaving Chi Phi Fraternity in July and that I will be packing up my life, as I know it in Georgia, and moving to Florida. Who would have thought after almost 24 years of life that I would move out of state? I did. I knew from the beginning that God had better plans for me and it may or may not involve living in Georgia.

Back to my focus, it is amazing how God shows us through music how to relate to our emotions. This week on Glee Mr. Shuester, Matt Morrison, encouraged the glee club to understand the journey of life and how it relates to their performance at regionals. Now, I look at life in a similar regard. Our life is a journey and at times music relates to get us where we belong in that particular place in time.

Now, I am preparing to embark on new experiences as a graduate student in Higher Education and will work with different types of students, faculty, and departments, whether on campus or off campus. I look forward to it all but know that my legacy that I leave with Chi Phi means more to me than anyone can understand. I know I have only been here for over a year but it feels like a lifetime of memories.

Thus, Matt Morrison's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" spoke to me in a very emotional way. I researched the words and will provide them below. As individuals, we all "wish upon a star and want to wake up where the clouds are far behind me." We hope for the best in all we do and hope that the past remains in the past; however, I have never had an experience as working for Chi Phi that has developed me more as a human and a professional.

I want all educators to know that you are making a difference, whether it is in your own life or the lives of students and other professionals. Take each day as an opportunity and dare to dream so you do not ask yourself "Why, Oh Why can't I?" because you can.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true

Someday I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemondrops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why oh why can't I

Well I see trees of green and red roses too
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue and
I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
and also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do
They're really saying I, I love you

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They'll learn much more then we'll know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
world...

Someday I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemondrops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Oh somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why oh why can't I...