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Magical Moment 365, "One Year of Magical Moments!"

Today is my 365th blog post! Naturally, I've been doing a bit of reflecting on this past year. Last February, I was alone in a strange new city, unemployed, and experiencing rejection on a daily basis as a new, struggling musician. I decided I had to focus on something positive everyday. This does not come naturally for me, so I created a blog where the title locks me into a daily commitment, "One Magical Moment Per Day."

This blog has become an important part of my life. Not only that, but much of my life comes out through this blog. Many days, I've sat staring at a blank screen wondering, what on earth will I write about today? And then suddenly I have an idea and the inspiration pours out. I'm left with a few paragraphs full of my heart, that would never have manifested in any other way if I didn't have this blog.

I always thought that at number 365, I would be ready to call it quits. But now that I'm here, I can't imagine giving it up just yet. It's more than a habit now, it's something I look forward to and put the best of myself in. You've read about my family, my faith, and my music. That may as well be the blood that runs through my veins, the breath that keeps me alive, and the brain that makes it all come together.

I put together a short video about what this blog is to me, in my head. (Disclaimer, I am NOT a videographer, so bear with me! Hopefully you get the idea. It starts silent, so there's nothing wrong with your sound). Enjoy the video. I also want to express a heartfelt thank you to every single person who has read one, a dozen, a hundred, or more of my blog posts. I am thinking about you when I click "Publish Post" and hoping that you too find something positive, beautiful, funny, or thoughtful in these words (or music). Below the video, I've reposted my very first entry, that after all these months, is still my very favorite one.






A familiar feeling came over me as I walked back to the subway. It subtly crept into my mind, but not all the way yet. My mind was too busy trying to remember which train I took to get here in the first place and where to transfer to get back to the bus station. Is this the uptown or downtown 6 train? Let's see, Brooklyn is down, Queens is up...going east...never eat soggy waffles - north, east, south, west...smelly, crowded, no seats, don't get motion sick. Forgot to take motion sick pill before I left. Finally to Port Authority, check the bus schedule, 4 minutes to get to the gate! Running in heels, my backpack of sheet music slapping against my hip as I race up the escalator and arrive out of breath, but on time, to bus 163. As I take my seat by a window and catch my breath, the feeling is no longer subtle. It is monstrous. I feel it swell in my chest, burn my ears and neck, and finally over flow through tears out my eyes. Another failure. Another "No thank you." Another unreturned phone call and e-mail. Another waste of bus fare. Why do I bother? Why do this?

When I pulled out my phone to turn it off silent, I saw I had a new voicemail. They must have called while I was on the subway. I listened to my messages as I stared out the window into the black night and wiped my cheeks. One from the realtor, delete. One from Omaha Steaks, delete and quit trying to sell me stuff. One from my dad, which is a little unusual. I am the one who normally calls my parents because they're always worried to call me at a bad time. As I listen, a few more tears roll down, but not angry, desperate tears. Thankful ones.

"Hi sweety. It's your number one fan. I love you and I'm proud of you. Talk to you later."
Well. I guess I can do this.


~


Comments

Robin said…
Thank you for taking the time to look for the positives, to post and to pour out your heart...
Shawn said…
Congrats on finishing a great year of magical moments. I'm glad to hear 365 isn't an ending, but a milestone!
Anonymous said…
the video was kinda weird,lol,but congrats on your personal adventure at staying positive,i need to find it in myself to focus on the positive and not the negative that is all around me
M-heart-M said…
That was really cool! I loved it! And happy congratulations on finishing a full year! Love from you other #1 Fan!
Eddie said…
I am very, very proud of you. I feel privileged to have experienced many of your moments with you, to have been behind the scenes in the recording of others, and seen you laugh, smile and cry through and about others. Every single day for the last year you have been my magical moment of the day. If I had a blog, it would be boring to everyone but me. It would be something like this: Day One: My Wife. Day Two: My Lovely Wife. Day Three: My Wonderful Wife. Day Four: My Wonderfully Lovely Wife. Day Five- My Wife <3... Day Three Hundred-Sixty Five: My Wife :)! I hope you have a lot more magical moments and (more importantly) I hope I have a lot more of them with you. Congratulations, Elizabeth!
Lori said…
I was already touched by reading your post and watching the video(very cool by the way and I so got it)... and even though I've read that first post of yours with the phone message from your dad, it still made me tear up...and then I read your husband's comment and the tears flowed...very touching.

I can no longer remember how I found my way here(Hilary?) but I have been thankful for finding you ever since because I appreciate being reminded to look for the good and the positive...even though I don't always get to comment I do read and it blesses me...I'm glad you loved this so much that your going to continue...here's to many more magical moments in your days. XX
Hilary said…
Elizabeth, that was very well done. You're so creative in so many ways. And blessed. Congratulation on your one year of blogging. We're all the better for it.
Frank Ekeler said…
Beautiful. Life is a fight every day right up to the end. Those of us lucky enough to have people to help us soldier through it never really fail.
Paul C said…
Heart felt congratulations at 365! I appreciate how you often had to search and dig within your heart to find a thread of joy and magic, as we all do. Your video is beautiful. The piano keys typing out word music! Your posts do ring.
Dawn said…
Beautiful!
Lovely!
Touching!
Makes me smile!

I have so enjoyed your Magical Moments!
And I TRULY LOVED your video! It was absolutely perfect:)
Robin, you're absolutely welcome. Thank you for reading.

Shawn, yes only the beginning. I'm enjoying your music blog very much as well!

Anonymous, well, glad you got something out of this post. Thanks!

M-heart-M, Thank you for the congrats, you've been a faithful fan. :)

Eddie, love you very much.

Lori, your comment truly blessed me. I'm so thankful that you found this blog (and as a result I found yours!). Thank you for reading, commenting, and for your own writing of your heart as well. Take care. (and thank you for "getting" the video!)

Hilary, I so appreciate your readership. Finding your blog actually got me into the community more. It's truly been a blessing. Thank you for reading.

Frank, You're absolutely right. Thank you for reading! Hope you're well! :)

Paul, Thank you for the congrats. I'm glad you enjoyed and understood the video! :)

Dawn, it's so wonderful to log on and see your comments. Thank you for your dedication to your, and other's blogs. It's much appreciated. :)
Anonymous said…
Have you posted that video on You Tube?

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