"A little inspiration and thanks can go a long way...!"

Wow! I had no idea that my "busy-ness" would keep me away from my blog for a month! So much for updating once a week...
Well, so much has been going on lately, and now Thanksgiving is almost here! I have so much to be thankful for this year...This time last year, I had just started treating my anxiety and panic attacks. But after a year of treatment, I am thrilled to report that I am 90% better! I feel like I have gotten my life back---I have gone from living in fear to a bit of living fearlessly! The Lord has helped me to conquer so many things--I can't even begin to count them all. I know that lots of people live everyday with anxiety and panic attacks, but I believe you can recover completely! I recently watched ABC's 2020 episode with Barbara Walters interview with Astronaut Mark Kelly and his wife, Senator Gabrielle Giffords. It was truly inspiring! This women was shot in the head by a mentally disturbed man while she was campaigning in her local neighborhood. They didn't know if she would even live, and now, 10 months later, she is walking and talking and getting better everyday. She may even run for Senate again! I thought, "If this woman can conquer such seemingly insurmountable odds, I can definitely conquer this anxiety thing!" Then, her therapist said something that really hit home with me, "If Gabby 'thinks' she can run for office, then Gabby 'can' run for office." More and more, researchers are finding just how amazing our brains are...Even if  it has been damaged in some way, the brain has a remarkable ability to recover and learn to compensate for the injury. In other words, the brain is very powerful! And I plan to put my brain to some positive use..."If Devan 'thinks' she can completely recover from anxiety and panic attacks, then she 'can' recover completely!" With the Lord's help, of course...and all things done according to His perfect timing.
So, what are you thankful for and what can your 'brain do for YOU'!"
Until next time...
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Feels Good to Be Busy!

So, as the title suggests, things have been a bit busy around here. And it feels good! Teaching each week, preparing my students for a Christmas program at the local retirement home and searching for the right music for them to memorize for the upcoming Junior Music Festival.
Also, we are quickly becoming an established part of our new church, The First Wesleyan of Lexington. Nathan is doing a great job as songleader and I am, of course, providing piano music. Alot of piano music. These people love to sing! They have 3 congregational hymns, an offeratory, and a Penny March! Not to mention the prelude music! Don't get me wrong I am so glad to be of service, but it has added to my schedule. Nathan works late each evening so I'm trying to help out by planning all the music selections. So, Sunday morning service entails about 7 to 8 different songs. So, yeah, I'm pretty busy!
I am so thankful for the blessings of each new day and I look forward to tomorrow---confident that the Lord is my strength and help! Oh, and by the way, the anxiety issues are getting better and better. I have so much to be thankful for!

The Music of Life

 We haven't had a place to worship for about 2 months now.So, my husband and I are trying a new church. I'm pretty encouraged about it...the people seem really friendly. I think we could get involved and hopefully be a blessing. It's been awhile since we've been able to sing together. Also, I'm excited about playing piano in a church setting again.
I began playing piano for church around the age of 12. The regular pianist had unexpectantly passed away and thus I began playing for the congregation. No mean feat for a 12-year-old who had only been taking lessons for 2 years! I can still remember being so nervous after playing...my hands would be so cold that my mom would sit there and rub them to get them warmed up. I still get a little nervous. I think there's a bit of perfectionism in me that is horrified at the idea of a wrong note. Oh, well, I have never let a wrong note stop me from doing what I love to do...and that is play the piano.
I have loved piano ever since I can  remember. My great-grandmother played the organ. I never heard her play, but my grandmother said she was a natural---could play by ear---didn't need the music in front of her. I didn't inherit that ability but I did inherit her love of playing piano.
So, in the days, weeks and months ahead, I look forward to making new friends and sharing with them the gift and beauty of music.
I'll let ya know how it goes...Until next time, Life...Enjoy it!

"Life can be such a Blessing"

So, I have Fridays all to myself. I usually begin by running over to our local Starbucks and getting a Peppermint Mocha. There's just something so relaxing about sipping coffee. Helps me put the rest of the day in perspective.
Then, I have various other chores. This weekend, we may be having some company, so I plan on washing sheets, tidying up the house and making some yummy Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies!
Things have been going so well lately and I'm so thankful. Of course, life is still stressful at times...but I am in a much more stable state-of-mind compared to a year ago. The Lord has taught me so many new things about myself and others. I have more compassion for other people. Going through personal hardships will do that for you! I hope that I can be an encouragement to others going through trials, particularly those dealing with chemical imbalances that cause anxiety and such...I can "empathize" with anxiety and panic attack sufferers. Life can be so overwhelming when you have an imbalance. But at this present time, with the help of the Lord, medication therapy, and the never-failing support of my awesome husband, my good days FAR outnumber my bad days!
So, here I sit, sipping my Peppermint Mocha coffee and being thankful for my many blessings!
Hope you all have an awesome weekend...Until next time...ENJOY LIFE!

"Adagio for Strings"

Well, I now have been on my new schedule for two weeks! I have been having a great time with my 6 students. They haven't been in lessons for 2 years, but it's amazing how quickly they are "gettin'-in-the-groove"!
I haven't had one panic attack (because I've been taking my medicine like a good girl). Haven't really experienced any anxiety either. Such a change from 18 months ago. And I'm so thankful...the Lord is continually helping and healing me!
So, my plans for this year of teaching is to: (1. Continue preparing well-rounded musicians (2. Ready them for a Christmas program for a local retirement home (3. Enter as many as want to into our Annual Junior Music Festival and (4. End the year with our Spring recital.
Lots of work to be done and lots of beautiful music to be learned...It's so wonderful to enrich lives with music! Until next time, please enjoy one of my all-time favorites by the very talented, 20th-century composer, Samuel Barber. If I could express in music all that I've been through these past two years, it would be with Barber's "Adagio for Strings".
Enjoy Life!

Quick Update!

Well, my first week back to teaching was a success! Thank you, Lord! I have been excited and apprehensive about how it would turn out. Because, of course, panic attacks and schedules don't usually complement each other! Yet, I feel totally inspired and confident that the time is right. Looking forward to great things for this year!

Until next time...Enjoy life!

On My Road to Recovery: Back to Teaching Music

Well, it's that time again! I'm so excited to be going back to teaching. I haven't taught in over a year so I'm "easing" back into it slowly. At one time, I was teaching 29 private 30 minute lessons, Monday thru Friday. But that was before this 'anxiety' mess! Beginning tomorrow, I will be teaching 6 private 30 minute lessons: 3 on Tuesdays and 3 on Thursdays. You wouldn't believe what an answer to prayer this is! I'm excited and nervous. The last lessons I taught, my nerves were pretty shot and anxiety issues were in full swing. But, this time, I have 10 months of recovery under my belt...and I have help. It's called "Cognitive Behavior Therapy", and if that doesn't work, it's called "Xanax". Thank the Lord for modern day miracles!
From this point on, I'll be updating this blog about once a week. That's the goal. This is now my "Recovering from Anxiety" blog. I'm not content with living with it anymore...with the Lord's help, I'm gonna kick this thing! Here's one of my favorite songs for you to enjoy! Until next time...LOVE LIFE!!