It is done. Granny woke up. Shared a few insights, toyed with the boys in the audience and then, went back to sleep. Voices sang out. Laughter filled the hall. Clapping. Cheers. Ola’s and Bravos streamed through the air. John Langford, the inspiration behind The Madison shared his stories of Christmases far from home, Kathy Christiansen, Exec. Dir of Alpha House shared the meaning of the amazing work they are doing and the gathered guests of 35+ soaked in their words and felt their hearts and minds opening — not to mention their wallets too! In the end, this little event that began as just a thought for a house concert to support Christmas at the Madison raised close to $800. And we all had an amazing time.

It is done.

And I am grateful.

Grateful for the amazing artists who stood up and said, “Sure. I’ll play and sing. I’ll share my gifts to support such a worthy endeavour.”

Grateful to Kathy and the team at Alpha House for saying, “Sure. You do it, we’ll support you.” Which they did. They arranged for two residents of Madison House to come to the event and picked them up when it was over. They’ve also gone out and got the tree, organized with the residents and are all set for Liseanne, my youngest daughter, and the volunteers she’s brought together, to arrive Wednesday evening to decorate and put up Christmas throughout the building. They’ll also be interviewing the residents, asking them for their Christmas Wish which I’ll be putting up here in case anyone wants to participate.

Cameron, one of the residents who came to the concert,  asked at the beginning of the evening if he could share a few words of thanks at the end of the programme. The heartfelt gratitude of his words wove their way into the hearts of everyone there. There was magic in the air. In his thanks Cameron turned to John Langford, asked him to stand and told him, “You saved my life.” If there was a dry eye in the place, it wasn’t mine.

What was also so beautiful and touching about Cameron’s remarks was that he made sure he met each of the performers before the evening began and when he gave thanks, wove what they did into his words that spoke of the legacy of military service.

Michelle Warkentin and her puppet Granny brought Humour. Having a sense of humour is really important when you’re in the military, Cameron said and the audience laughed.

Felipe Paredes, whose Spanish guitar, sultry Latin looks and deep, rich baritone set every woman’s heart pounding, brought Strength, said Cameron. He spoke of the strength of Felipe’s voice and how military life requires strength, and a deep commitment to being of service. — and from my perspective, Felipe also represents spontaneity, and the ability to respond to the call of being of service without question. He only heard about the event on Sunday from my daughters’ friend Caitlin. When asked if he’d perform, he didn’t hesitate. And we are so grateful he did. He was amazing!

Alexis and James brought Passion, Cameron told the audience. And passion is vital if you are to be of service. Alexis’ voice also made him cry, (and that’s a good thing because tears are a sign of strength).

And Taylor and Luke, he finished off, brought it all together. Their amazing performance wrapped the whole event up in laughter, strength and passion.

I am so grateful.

For those who came and shared of their TIME. TALENTS. TREASURES.

Thank you.

Along with the performers there were all sorts of people pitching in to make it possible.

Andrea and the Calgary Homeless Foundation printed off the programs.

Kathy’s husband whipped up three trays of incredibly delicious and beautiful appetizers that were devoured, and what little was left went home with two of the young performers whose eyes lit up when they realized there was food to be had for the taking. (Young boys with big appetites grow up to be young men with big appetites!)

My friend Tamara “baked” a tray of scrumdillyicious crescent moon cookies — the few left also went home with the performers.

My daughter Liseanne sat at the front table greeting guests and collecting tickets and generally keeping tabs of all the goings on to ensure nothing and no one was left out.

C.C., my beloved, came early with me to the venue to help set up, racing off to pick-up water and change for the float, doing whatever it took to ensure the evening went smoothly. As did the incredible Howard Parsons, who along with his wonderful wife and my dear friend Kerry, gave us the space to hold the concert. Howard was there Sunday afternoon with me setting up chairs and arranging the venue and also came early to help hang cloth to drape a doorway and help out with whatever else needed doing.

David Thomas, a 19th Century preacher and publisher wrote, “Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.” 

There were many radiant pages written on the beautiful souls of those who came and sang and shared their stories  and gifts and talents last night. My heart is full with gratitude and love.

Thank you.

Birthdays come and go. The tree is decorated. Lights surround the windows, Christmas ornaments grace the piano. Candles stand in glass containers waiting to be lit.

We laughed and shared a meal, or two. We danced and told stories and sang and sat together, family and friends, our lives woven together by this journey called life.

Day moved into night. Night into day. Time moves in an ever flowing stream of moments passing one by one. That moment has moved on. The next is upon us. And still we wait in this season of Advent for the One the world awaits, the One for whom angels sing on high. The One who will bring peace, hope, love and joy to all mankind.

The time is now. The time has come.

It’s already here. Already amongst us. Already is.

It is within us. Within each of us. Within all of us.

We are the one we’ve been waiting for. We are the one to remind ourselves of the divine essence of our birth, the essential magnificence of our human presence here on earth.

Let us wait no longer. Let us look to no other than ourselves for that which we seek, right here, right now. It is within us. It is here for us to give and receive. To create and to become.

Peace. Hope. Love and Joy.

Let us rejoice.

We were born magnificent. We were born children of God, of the Divine, of Allah, Jehovah, Buddha, Hare Krishna. We were born to live our humanity, our human journey. Not in toil and strife, but in the light of our magnificence.

It’s just we forgot.

Life. Happenings. Times unfolding. Things we’ve done. Things that have been done unto us. By us. For us. Things that have been done in the name of our mothers and fathers, in the name of others, in the name of peace, for the love of another, things that have hurt us, that have confused us and made us forget our birthright, they do not matter.

What matters most, is our remembering. Our claiming our brilliance. Right here. Right now.

What makes a difference isn’t what happened to us. What makes the difference is what we do, right now, right here to live our greatness. To express our brilliance, our light, our beauty.

That’s what will make a world of wonder. That’s what will create a world full of peace, hope, love and joy.

When we let go of remembering the hurts. When we let go of naming the past and all that happened to us, when we quit holding responsible all who did what they did to us as the reason for our being unhappy, dissatisfied, disgruntled with the way of our world today.

When we release ourselves from holding onto that which hurt us and those who abused our trust, our love, our body and soul, we create space for the beauty and the wonder of our humanity to awaken and set us free to live that which we have forgotten — our magnificence.

It is the second week of Advent.

We wait, in silent contemplation of the darkness, hoping for the light to return. For a child to be born.

It is here. He for whom we wait has always been amongst us.

To see it, to be witness to the sun rising, to know the Son who is coming, to know God, Allah, Jehovah, Hare Krishna, whatever the name of your faith, open your eyes and heart and mind to the amazing grace of your presence here on earth. Awaken to the stunning beauty of our shared human condition shining in the morning light.

Awaken and sing. Sing a song of joy. Dance a dance of jubilation. Pray a prayer of gratitude. Get ready for your soul’s calling. Open yourself up to peace, hope, love and joy and let your light shine.

The world needs you.

The world needs each of us to be the light of peace, hope, love and joy.

Namaste.

Heroes, heroes everywhere, and oh what a gift to celebrate them!

I had an email this morning from an amazing man. Sgt. John Langford is a member of the Calgary Police Service who continually inspires me. When I worked at the homeless shelter, John tirelessly fought to create a safe and welcoming place for homeless veterans. It’s because of John’s commitment to serving homeless Calgarians, and in particular vets, that The Madison, the apartment building I wrote about on Thursday, was created. A former military man, John worked with the Calgary Homeless Foundation and the Government of Canada,  to ensure housing was made available for those who once served their country and then lost their way on the streets of Calgary. John has just returned from a year’s deployment as a special advisor in Afghanistan and wrote to me this morning to ask how could he help with Christmas at the Madison.

John Langford is a hero.

I only just recently came across her blog, and am so grateful I did. Lisa Bonchek Adams is an amazing and courageous woman. Five years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In October of this year she was told the cancer had metastasized to her bones. And Lisa fights on. She writes on her blog, Lisa Bonchek Adams, about “metastatic breast cancer, grief & loss, life and family” — and she touches hearts, opens minds and inspires all who read her to get real and be their most amazing self, to treasure every moment, to be vulnerable and open, to be present in the moment savouring every ounce of life you’re given.

Lisa Bonchek Adams is a hero.

Lisa Rosenberg is one of those people who never ceases to amaze me. Even though we only know each other in the ‘blogosphere’, when I needed support, Lisa was there with comforting words, sage advice and a willingness to simply hear me out.  Lisa and her family got through Superstorm Sandy only to lose their home to a fire in its aftermath. And still, Lisa writes and connects, shares her amazing spirit and awesome attitude so that others can be inspired and know, they are not alone. Lisa is a hero — and when you go visit her blog, make sure you scroll back through the posts to find out how this remarkable woman has kept herself and her family intact through a very difficult situation.

Lisa Rosenberg is a hero — as are all the people of Montclair who so willingly and lovingly helped Lisa and her family cope with the storm and the loss of their home.

All three of today’s heroes are examples of the power of community to make a difference. Yes, we can ‘do it alone’, but when we are supported by community, when we join together to help someone, we make an enormous difference, not just in that one situation, but in the world, for our willingness to be the caring hands that support someone in need, ripples out into the world and creates a wave of caring that doesn’t end.

All those who pitch in to help a friend, to take a meal to someone in distress, to offer a kind word, a caring hand are heroes.

And, because I like to share beauty and wonder, I am pasting in an amazingly beautiful video/song I found this week online.

Love is the New Religion (The Spiritual Conspiracy) -Brian Piergrossi

I grew up in a military household. My father was in the Air Force, which, much to his dismay became the Armed Forces with all three elements united under one banner. “If God had wanted the Army to fly, they would have painted the sky brown,” he liked to grumble. But then, my father liked to grumble. It was his way. Nothing vicious. But he did hold a lot of opinions about a lot of things — and always, he fought for the underdog, the disenfranchised, the suffering. It was his way.

This Christmas, I am honouring my father with Christmas at the Madison.

The Madison is an apartment building here in the city that provides housing for 15 formerly homeless veterans. Owned by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and operated by AlphaHouse, The Madison is a safe haven for those vets who have lost their way and are searching for direction, a way off the street, a way back to pride, dignity, independence. At The Madison, they’ve found it.

The plan is to create Christmas on December 25th. To prepare the Christmas meal with all the fixins’, to have gifts for each of the tenants under the tree, which we will decorate next week and to put the dinner on the table in the afternoon of Christmas day in the Common Room at The Madison.

I am blessed. I have friends who have stepped forward to help organize the dinner, a stranger, a woman I met when I was giving a course but didn’t really get a chance to talk to, who called after a friend told her about the event, What can I do?  Thank you Agnes.

At dinner with a friend one evening last week, after telling them about the event, asked, “What’s it going to cost?”

“I’ve calculated $1500, with the food, the gifts, and everything else we may need to get.”  They wrote a cheque.

I am so blessed.

The goal is to match that amount to ensure there are extra funds in The Madison operating budget.

Which is why, this upcoming Monday night, I’m organizing a concert here in Calgary for Christmas at The Madison.

I’m excited.

C.C.’s son, Taylor Cochrane, an amazing and gift musician is playing as is one of his band members, Luke Bowman. After dinner at our house a couple of weeks ago, Luke blew us away with his piano compositions and playing.

And… my daughter Alexis is singing too.

I am so excited!

Alexis and her boyfriend James, who plays a mean guitar, will be entertaining us with three songs.

And my friend Michelle Warkentin stepped up to say she’s willing to bring along “Granny” one of her puppets.

And I’m still looking for a couple of other performers. So if you’re in Calgary, and want a gig at a benefit concert on Monday night (which means you are contributing your talent, time and treasures for the joy of contributing your talent, time and treasures 🙂 ) then please — let me know if you want to play or, if you know of a performer and they’re available and willing, please ask them to contact me! That would be awesome.

In the meantime, I’m pasting in one of Taylor’s recordings:  This is Where I Draw The Line.

I went to a fund-raiser dinner last night. Okay, well I intended to go, drove to the other side of the city, rang the doorbell of the house whose address I was given as the location — only to discover, the address was wrong.

Alas, my cellphone was on the kitchen counter at home, I had no way to phone my hostess and get the correct address.

There is a gift in every moment, value in every circumstance. Last night, not being able to find the right address, not having my cellphone gave me the gift of time to listen to one of my favourite programs on CBC Radio — As It Happens. As I drove back across the city, I listened to As It Happens hosts, Carol Off and Jeff Douglas interviewing Jason Becker, a  musician who at the age of 20 was set to scale the heights of rock fame. Slated to be lead guitarist for superstar — David Lee Roth of Van Halen fame, Jason was living it up, playing hard and loving life.

And then, life happened. In the midst of recording the tracks for David Lee Roth’s latest album, Jason began to experience pain in a leg, he acquired a limp, his hands grew weak. His parents convinced him to go see a doctor and the diagnosis was stunning. At 20 years of age, Jason was diagnosed with ALS — commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease.

The doctor’s gave him three years, five at most. Twenty-three years later, Jason is still alive. Still creating music. Still loving life.

I sat in my car last night, listening to, first, Jesse Vile, a film-maker whose documentary about Jason’s life, “Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet“, is out in limited release in Canada this week and then, to Jason’s father, Gary, as he spoke the words Jason said through moving his eyes. Up, left, right, down, — it is a language Gary created to be able to communicate with his son. Listening in, imagining this father interpreting his son’s words through eye movements, hearing  Jason’s words, was stunning. Inspiring. Moving.

I cried.

Such beauty. Such spirit. Such grace.

I had never heard of Jason Becker before last night. Never heard of this remarkable young man whose life took a decided turn in 1989 away from the dreams and plans he had to be a rockstar.

I’m glad I’ve heard of him now. I’m glad to know there is a Jason Becker, out there in the world, creating music with his eyes, interpreting grace through sound and sharing his beautiful heart.

I am grateful.

When asked by Carol Off, how has your music changed, Jason replied, “Well, it is sort of different because without my guitar playing, I can’t stick my soul into a tune, so it all has to come from the composition.”

If you want to be moved today, if you want to be reminded of the sacredness of life, the grace of this moment, if you want to be inspired, do go watch the trailer for Jesse Vile’s documentary of this remarkable human being, “Jason Becker — Not Dead Yet.”

Me, I’m going to go checkout when the movie’s coming to town.

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To listen to the As It Happens segment, click HERE — click LISTEN  – click on Dec 4 – Jason Becker Documentary – Part 2

My friend and inspirational founder of Leading Essentially, Ian Munro, shared his first blog with us a couple of weeks ago. Ian is new to blogging. But, given the tone of his first few blogs, he’s a natural!

Today, Ian shares a powerful story about our human need for connection, and the possibility of living in ‘the difference’.

Thank you Ian for sharing your gifts and your insights and for opening this first Sunday of Advent with a powerful story of our human condition.

People Like Us

by Ian Munro

My wife Kendra and I have just completed a marvelous 25 day trip to Europe. While in Europe we saw and experienced many things. Above all we reveled in the opportunity to share these things together and to discuss our discoveries every day. On the way home Kendra watched a movie called “People Like Us”, and just the title made me reflect again on our trip.

Europe is not at all like Canada. In Canada we marvel at old things whereas in Europe the modern attracts attention. Home is wide open spaces while in the old world you always seem to be craning in anticipation to see around the next corner. We are used to understanding every word we hear and don’t give a second thought to our ability to express ourselves … Europe is a melting pot of language with most of the skill residing with the residents, not the tourists. In Canada history is studied in schools whereas our counterpart’s children learn history by visiting it.                          To read the rest of People Like Us, click HERE…

As this is the first Sunday of Advent, I invite you (in case you missed the invitation yesterday) to join me in an advent celebration. Every Monday until Christmas Day, I shall be sharing reflections on Advent through, Make Time for the Sacred.  Please join me. I’d love to connect.  Find out more, HERE…