The happiness advantage.

In my public speaking class a few weeks ago we watched this WONDERFUL Ted talks video....here's the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJsdqxnZb0 

I would really encourage you all to watch it. It's inspiring. I promise, the 12 minutes of your time won't be wasted. Anyway, in my attempt to live his advice a little, I'm blogging about something that I am really deeply grateful for today. I'm blogging about the people who have shaped me into the musician that I am. I was in the practice room earlier, kind of in a tired mood after not having slept as much as I would have enjoyed and just having been busy all morning, and I played through my sonata. I didn't just play through it though, I performed it, and it sounded beautiful. I sat back and thought, "Man, I could have NEVER figured out how to do that on my own." This post is dedicated to my mom, first and foremost, for never letting me quit. If you asked me in junior high and early high school about practicing and doing music, I would have just told you that my mom makes me do it and I like it, but I don't know if I'll ever do anything with it. Boy did that change. I'm so glad that my very patient and loving mom made me stick with it. I owe her a BIG one....a debt I don't think I'll ever really be able to pay off. I also appreciate all of the inspirational music teachers and experiences I was blessed with throughout my earlier years and even now. I'm so appreciative of Elizabeth Marsh, Kayson Brown, Richard Hoyt, Anne Francis, and my current teacher Dr. Murray. These people have molded me. Not only into a better musician, but a better person, friend, and colleague. They have helped me understand what it is to work and to push yourself to achieve higher levels than you thought were possible. I am grateful for the opportunities I've been given to help bring the Spirit into sacrament meetings at church by playing for those who come to seek peace and resolve in Christ. I'm grateful. I'm so grateful. I hope that I can work hard enough and utilize the things that I have been taught over the years to be worthy of all the wonderful teaching and inspiration I have received from these people. I'm happy. I love the happiness advantage, and I love these people. Look for things in your life that can help you live the happiness advantage. I challenge YOU to blog about it or to write about it in your journal. It can and will change your outlook on life.