Day 8. Do You Sing?

2008, by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"You should work on projects that make your heart sing."
 ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Many of us probably remember the little tune the seven dwarfs whistled in the old Disney movie, Snow White. It seems even these short fellows recognized that whistling while they worked helped get the work done with more fun and less stress.

Whoever said that our life's work should be tedious or nose-to-the-grind-stone drudgery, I would like a word with those folks! Of course we don't always find ourselves in situations where we feel like whistling or singing. But maybe that's when we need to think about what we do every day and look more closely at the path we are on. Especially if the song has died in our hearts.

It took me years to step out of my fear zone and leave a workplace that I had outgrown mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My song had died. I may have never had the courage to leave if I hadn't had a physical breakdown first. My body just quit -- it said, 'that's it, girl, the end of the road is here'. A culmination of work stress, and having both my dear Dad and beloved nephew diagnosed with cancer at the same time all took its toll.

That was five years ago, and these past five years have been a time of getting my strength back physically, getting healed emotionally, as well as taking stock of my heart's desires and finding out what is my God-given destiny.

My song is back. I'm so happy that sometimes I feel like I'm going to lift off like Winnie the Pooh's helium balloon when he's out looking for honey bees.

I'm at home, I'm married, and I'm writing...three dreams come true. Maybe that's why I have a growing passion to see other women fulfill their own heart's desires. I love to write, and through my writings, I want to encourage women to create their own Eden, that place where they will find fulfillment and joy in the lives they live.

'Cause it's true, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. As women we hold the key to happy lives and happy homes for our families. That's why I want you to rethink your own life. If your song has died, what will make the music begin again?

It's never too late to find that work for your hands and work for your heart that will bring the joy back. If you don't know where to begin, I'd ask God, since He's the one who really wants you to succeed and be happy. And then I'd wait and listen.

Whether you hear something right away or whether it dawns slowly like an Alberta sunrise, if you listen, you will begin to hear...a melody softly forming. It's in your heart. It wants to come out. It wants you to sing again!

Gracefully yours,
Brenda