Cause it makes me happy...

PMA

Melodies of Light1 Comment
IMG_2527
A favorite view on my run

Hello friends!

Today I wanted to spend time writing music, but for some reason I was in a real “blah” type funk.  Nothing in particular was going badly, I just couldn’t get myself motivated to write.  So I decided to go on a run.  Best idea I’ve had all day.  The fresh air felt wonderful, and the snow had melted off my little trail that I like to run on (there’s a hill that I run up first that gives me a great burst of “I got this” right off the bat!).  Don’t get any big ideas- I’m not training for a marathon or anything- I go about a mile.  But it is just right for me.

Anyway- as I was running, I saw a man in his 60’s on a bike, and I saw that he rode into a driveway (presumably his driveway) that I was just about to run past.  He wasn’t facing me when I looked over to say hello, so I kept running and assumed he would rather not interact.  It took me by surprise when a moment later he called out,

“How’s your PMA?”

I turned to look at him (still running) with a confused look on my face.

“I don’t know what that means!” I called back, amused.  (I think initially I thought he was going to say PMS and I was about to be really confused why a stranger would yell that out).

“Positive Mental Attitude!!” he explained with a smile.

Duh- I could have figured that one out.

“Oh!  Great!” I yelled over my shoulder and gave him a thumbs up.

I don’t remember his reply, but I smiled as I ran on.  First of all, what an awesome human being.  It makes me want to go calling out “How’s your PMA?” to the next few strangers I pass :).

But besides that, it got me in a totally different frame of mind.  PMA can do that, you know.  And a run.  So, stranger, how’s your PMA?

Quote

Faith and Music

Melodies of Light1 Comment

crawford

Today I found an interview which was posted online in 2010 by mormonartist.net and highlighted the musical career of Crawford Gates (my Grandfather).  There was one quote that was particularly moving to me and I wanted to share it here.  Grandad was an extremely talented musician, but even more than that, he was a man of faith.  This quote shows how completely he “let go” and allowed God to work through him.

As a composer, with all eight hundred and seventy-four pieces, I had two prayers. I have an “empty-page prayer.” I look at the page, and I’ve got to fill it with beautiful music. Where is that going to come from? I don’t have beautiful music within me. It’s got to come from the Lord, but he is going to give it to me. So the empty-page prayer is a prayer of supplication: “Help me do something beautiful for this need.” And that was certainly true with Promised Valley, that was certainly true with the Hill Cumorah Pageant, and that was certainly true with Joseph! Joseph!.

Then there’s the second prayer: I got a page. The Lord has given it to me. I get on my knees next to my piano or next to my desk. “Thank you for this beautiful music. Thank you, Heavenly Father.”

Two prayers: “empty page,” “full page.” It’s been that way all my life. And it may not be just one prayer, or two prayers; it’s a week of prayers, or a month of prayers.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Love,
Laura