Friends...

“True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost” ~unknown~    

So the last couple weeks have been a bit rough. There has been a lot going on at work, both emotions and stress levels have been running extremely high and I probably wouldn't have gotten through it if it wasn't for some very dear friends in my life, which got me to thinking about friends and friendships.

I have defiantly made my fair share of mistakes in friendships, but to me a true mark of a friend is one that walks in when it feels like the rest of the world is walking out. Over the last 3 weeks I really became grateful for the friends that I have in my life. The ones that our relationship is a two way street. There are times where I'm taking and their giving and then there are times when I'm giving and they are taking. We provide each other with encouragement, support and don't hesitate to smack each other upside the head when the time calls for it.

In addition, I also noticed that those people whom I thought would be there through thick and thin, aren't and that's ok. I have finally realized that friendship are not a one way street I can't be the one always calling to make brunch, lunch or shopping dates. I can't be the one that is putting in all the effort. Now, yes I understand that people have busy lives, but even in my busy life I make time to text those near and dear to my heart or a short pick up the phone and say hello and they do the same.

There are people in my life that have made me who I am today. I had dinner and drinks with an old friend from my hometown and I realized that it didn't matter how long we'd been a part we still got up to some of the same old antics that we did when we were younger. She is one of those friends that changed my life. She taught me how to have fun, how to have confidence and how to believe that I had “it”.

I have a friend that no matter the day, time or situation she will listen. She forces me to be bigger than I know myself to be. She also doesn't put up with any of my excuses or reasons for not doing something. I can also call and tell her about the dumbest thing I've done and although she may call me an idiot she doesn't judge me because its the same from me to her. She's taught me not to listen to that little voice inside my head and she's been my cheerleader when I was ready to throw in the towel. She's been there through good, bad, great, ugly, messy, stupid and down right delusional (hey, I'm female we have those moments and anyone that says they don't is lying!)

Friends will come in and out of your life, but I truly believe that each one is intended to teach you a lesson and that although it may be sad when they go or the distance between you grows what you need to do is celebrate that it happened and take the lesson the two of you shared and carry that forward.

Life is not measure but the number of friends you have, it's measured by the person you are and the person you want to become and your friends play a part in that.

Obsession: Music

A pair of my favorite earrings

There are about 1 million and 3 things that I could talk about when it comes to this topic. The thought of just having to pick one seems a little depressing, so this may be part 1 of a series, we'll see...

Music has been and always will be a really large part of my life. Music has been there for me, when no one else was. To me music is that one friend you can always count on, because no matter what, all it takes is the push of a button to start a conversation with this friend.

Where did my obsession with music begin? My brother. He's always been big into music as well and there was always different types of music and different bands coming from the stereo in his room, growing up. Some of them I became instantly in love with and some of them I would put my own headphones on to drown out the god awful sound. We didn't always see eye to eye on musical tastes. I'm certain when I went through my New Kids on The Block phase or Backstreet Boys phase we was plotting ways to destroy my CD's so I would stop playing those songs over and over again. I like to think of those times as payback for the Metallica blaring out of his speakers, which I didn't grow to appreciate till much later in life.

Music has the power to bubble up a fountain of emotion from deep inside you. There is a song for every moment. Look at the movies, they rely on music to help you experience the moment, when sometimes the actors aren't doing a very good job at the acting part. Danger music when someone's being chased, light and romantic when 2 actors are falling in love, it all aids in the experience. Crazy, not really. If you were paying attention I bet you can remember the song that was playing in the background the first time that cute boy asked you out, first dance, first kiss, first time you fell in love, first break-up, and the first moment where you felt powerful beyond measure. I know I can remember most of those songs. I relied on music when the mean girls in school would not let up with the teasing. Music is there for me to help me remember my deceased Grandparents. Music is there when I've had a rough day and need to escape the world for a little while.

When you listen to music you are instantly taken to a different place. This place makes you want to cry, or scream, or, in my case, dance because I think we're all clear on my obsession with dancing. Just like dancing, music is a way of expressing yourself when you just can't seem to find the words.

Musical tastes are different for everyone, and I say, don't let anyone make fun of you for the band or singer that you love. They obviously strike a chord with you and if that music makes a difference for you, then listen to it! I have everything in my iTunes from death metal, to punk, to pop, to opera, to classical, and yes, even a little country. I have a playlist in my iTunes that are some of my favorites, these songs have been my favorites for as long as I can remember. They hold powerful memories for me and every time I listen to them I fall in love with them all over again. Here's a small little sampling, if you click on the song it will take you to a link in YouTube...

My Hero - Foo Fighters
Blueberry Hill - Louis Armstrong
Quiet In My Town - Civil Twilight
Beautiful Day- U2
Nightswimming - REM
Perfection Through Silence - Finch
Like a Prayer - Madonna
La Vie En Rose - Louis Armstrong
Non Believer - La Rocca
Cello Suite no.1 - Bach
Summertime - Will Smith
Here Comes a Regular - The Replacements

OK, this list could go on forever!

Like I said there is a ton I can talk about when it comes to this topic, but the only thing left in this moment for me to say is....Thank you. Thank you to the artists, musicians, producers, and technicians involved in making the music. You make the music that makes a difference for someone and to me, that's a pretty big deal, so thanks.