Soundtrack Friday - Monday Edition

I had this set up to post last Friday and for some reason Blogger isn't showing me the love. This week you get not one, but two Soundtrack Friday posts! Aren't you lucky. :-)

It's old home week at the Inspiration household and we've been listening to a lot of music from our younger, more impressionable days. Part of this is due in no small part to the fact that The Who played at the Superbowl on Sunday. Ah, The Who. Made famous to a whole generation who have no idea what Pinball Wizard is thanks to the popularity of the CSI franchise and Jerry Bruckheimmer's love of this group.

Soundtrack Friday is not about The Who. This week Soundtrack Friday on Monday is all about the music that shaped me. One such artist in the 80s who isn't that well known to people who live around me is Luba. Luba is from Quebec and hit the Canadian music scene with a bang in the mid to late 80s. She had some amazing music, a flair for fashion I wanted to emulate and songs that made me feel understood and made me want to start reaching out beyond myself.

I recently went looking for Luba, to see what had happened to her since the 80s and was pleasantly surprised to find she's still intermittently recording. Go Luba! We no longer have cassette players so I can't listen to my Luba collection. I tried to order her backlist, but that was a little challenging. I will have to wait until later this summer when I have extra dollars to spend.

To tide me over, I searched the internet for some of her videos and had a moment where I was caught back in time. I could remember where I was, what I was thinking, the smells and the sounds around me the first time I saw this particular video. It made a huge impact on me and in some ways helped to define my current belief system. I haven't thought about this song in years. I'm glad I went looking to see what had become of some of the artists of my younger years.

Today, I bring you Luba and her 1980's hit How Many (Rivers to Cross). Enjoy!

Your Purpose is Showing

There is a theme creeping through my life both at home and at work. Several themes that coalesce into one - what is my purpose. That's a big concept. I've struggled off and on with defining my purpose and understanding how my dreams, values, beliefs and passions define and are defined by my purpose. I've taken courses, been coached, read books, reflected and prayed in attempts to discover just that - my purpose.

What is so important about knowing your purpose in life?

I'll answer for me. When I understand my purpose I can be more intentional. I have a foundation on which to build my decisions and choices. I can look at each job I do, each task I have and weigh it against my purpose. If my activities don't mesh with my purpose then something needs to change.

2009 was a year of stripping away layers of my life that didn't make sense any more. In doing so I've caught stronger glimpses of my purpose, not just what I want my purpose to be. I think that's important. I can want my purpose in life to be a welcoming and hospitable oasis for others but if I don't have the right talents or passions to go along with this purpose, I could very well be setting myself up for failure. Failure isn't awful - it shows us what isn't working so we can search out what will. That said, if I know in my heart that I don't have the talents or passion for being that hospitable oasis, perhaps I'm seeking out the wrong purpose for me.

Am I any closer to that definitive understanding of my purpose? Closer, yes. Defined, not quite yet. But I'm working on it.

Do you know what your purpose in life is? What has helped you to define your purpose?

Books Read in January

Riptide by Margaret Carroll -- Creepy, full of secrets and sins, this book is not what I would consider a romantic suspense but hits my suspense genes in all the right places. A wonderful book full of twists and turns and desperation that coalesces in a spine tingling ending that satisfies and left me asking for more.

Walking Dead by C. E. Murphy -- Book 4 of The Walker Papers picks up almost after Joanne Walker, urban shaman and Celtic wise woman, received her calling. Joanne has grown and has a surety about her that was missing in the previous three books. She's still learning and still rushes in head first, but she realizes she needs her friends, needs her guide and can't do it all alone. I enjoyed the mystery and was intrigued by the urban fantasy aspects of the story. I think we're getting closer to understanding who The Master is. I can't wait!

What Remains of Heaven by C. S. Harris -- Sebastian St. Cyr fans, look out! Another gripping mystery leads our hero through the political intrigue, treason, and the lies that threaten to tear his soul apart. I'm not sure when the 6th book will come out, but I do hope it's soon. The suspense at the end of this book is going to kill me!

What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips -- a reread of SEP's latest novel. I try to reread one SEP novel a year and since I devoured this book the first time and could hardly remember what it was about, I decided this would be a great January read. It's delightful and while it doesn't delve deep into the human psyche or into issues that threaten to tear the fabric of our world apart, it does show that people can change and that love makes us strive to be better, to be whole. I like books that entertain and remind me that love is a critical element in our lives.

Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Rooney Doland -- My nonfiction pick of the month is a book on, you guessed it, simplifying and organizing. Another theme from my life in 2009 that's carried over to 2010. This book is one I now need to read and do at the same time. It has concrete suggestions on how to tackle the physical, mental and systemeic distractions in all areas of our lives that cause us to be disorganized. I'm still attempting the Office Downsize Project and believe this book hold some answers.

That's it January was not a huge book month for me. February is shaping up to be a better book month. We'll see. Things are kicking into high gear with kitchen renovations so I may not have as much time as I would like to read. And that, my friends, is a scary, scary thought.

Julie James Is Having a Contest

An author I've been reading since I discovered her last yer, Julie James, has a new book being released in March. The Book is titled Something About You. I find her books to wonderful contemporary romance in a world of romantic subgenres. They are clever, fun and full of romantic sexual tension. In honor of her new book, Julie James is having a contest on her blog. First place is a $100 Amazon, Borders or Barnes & Noble gift card. Second and third place winners will receive an autographed copy of her book. Check out the contest! And I would wish you luck but I kind of want to win this one myself. :-)

Soundtrack Friday

There are songs that speak to us in the moment and songs that speak to us over time. Today's song is one of the later. I first saw this video not long after I was first married and and the melancholy urgency of the song was exactly what I was feeling at the time. No, my marriage wasn't awful - it was and is a wonderful thing. That said, I just moved away from everything I knew to a country that was thousands of miles from my family and where the only person I could call friend and confidante was my husband. I wasn't working because I was going through the immigration process so I had a lot of time on my hands. My dog and I became best of friends and music and books became my emotional support.

I heard this song on the radio recently and I felt the same melancholy urgency but for different reasons. I no longer feel like a stranger in a strange land. What I'm struck by are the words of the song. There's an unconditional love through the words and I'm so glad I had that when I needed it most and when I wanted it least.

As we enter the new year, this song is a reminder to me to aspire to unconditional, non-judgmental love and acceptance. This doesn't mean there won't be tension or disagreements or fights. I'm not perfect. But I can aspire to be unconditional in my relationships despite my humanity. Ain't life grand that way?

Today I give you The Pretenders and their 1994 hit I'll Stand By You.

The Pretenders - I'll stand by you
by Shakki

My A-Team

I unintentionally took most of January off from blogging. It's a new year and the start of a new decade and I wanted to think about my directions and intentions for 2010. It wasn't my goal to be silent on the blog front during this time. If you missed me and wondered what I've been up to, I apologize for the radio silence.

Starting this week I'm back! I have some ideas for blog topics and how I can keep moving with some of the projects and topics I already have. I also have some ideas for organizing the look of my blog and sharing more information about my coaching and my writing. I hope to make some posts a little more interactive and encourage you to participate!

One thing that I was reminded of during my radio silence is my propensity to over commit. I blogged about this back in December. My husband was very amused with the post since he's been telling me for years that I over commit. The pendulum swung back the other way in December and I didn't commit to much of anything. It was a nice vacation from commitments, one I really needed. Now that I'm rested and focused I want to be sure I don't jump back in with both feet and make more agreements than is humanly possible for me to deliver.

To assist me with balance I have started to create my own A-Team; which is more oversight committee than guns for hire. You'll have to trust me on this. *grin*

The members are people I love and trust. They understand the various interests and values that are meaningful to me, they know my strengths and they have insights into my weaknesses - because let's call it like it is, okay? We are "meeting" every other week for a short amount of time to discuss my time, projects and plans. I am accountable to them for my follow through. I can veto them in their suggestions though I have committed to hearing them out and weighing their collective feedback before making decisions. It's a small, select group. And they have my best interests at heart.

I personally think everyone needs support in order to make it through this life. While not everyone needs a committee to act as confidantes and sounding boards, I think everyone should have their own A-Team -- one or two people who you trust to hold your intentions and give you honest feedback.

Who is on your A-Team? How do you intend to utilize this gifted group of individuals to help you realize your potential in 2010?

Books Read In December

December was a slow reading month for me. Life was busy, work was busy and I felt more like hibernating than reading. Still, there were several quality reads this month. What a great way to end 2009!

As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason -- I was sad to come to the end of this 5 book journey with Victoria Gardella and her merry vampire hunters. And while the story arcs are now finished, there is the opportunity for further stories down the road. After all, not even Illa Gardella can vanquish all the vampires...right?

Kindred in Death by J. D. Robb -- There has yet to be an In Death book I don't enjoy. Kindred in Death was a great story that subtly propels the series forward while giving the reader a satisfying story with a a compelling plot and beloved characters. And the body count was just right. LOL

Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead -- Richelle Mead amazed me. She developed a unique world within the urban fantasy genre and gave us a succubus with a conscience. We were first introduced to Georgina in Succubus Blues and the story continues in Succubus on Top. Some of the layers of this unique world within Seattle, WA are being revealed and I cannot wait to pick up the third book in this series!

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead -- Book three of the Georgina Kincaid series. The series still has wonderful wit and quirky humor but the tones are starting to turn darker. Things are getting more complicated for the succubus - both in her love life and in her immortal life - and there are some interesting twists and turns. I'm really enjoying this series and am so happy book 4 is currently in print.

One What Grounds by Cleo Coyle -- I wanted to read a mystery and after reading about Cleo Coyle on Marjorie M. Liu's blog I decided to give the Coffee House Mystery series a try. I'm so glad! The book was well written with engaging characters, a unique location and a great plot. If you are a fan of cosy mysteries and coffee, this series is for you!

The Ghost & Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly -- I enjoyed the Coffee House Mystery book so much I wanted to know what else she wrote. Under pen name Alice Kimberly she writes the Haunted Bookshop series. A 1940's gumshoe haunts the bookstore of widow Penelope McClure. And only Pen can see him! The first book was off to a slow start but got much better as the story went along. I will definitely read book 2!

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh -- Book 7 or 8 of Nalini's Psy/Changling series takes a closer look at the Forgotten, members of the Psy community whose ancestors broke away from the Psy during the implementation of Silence. Decades later some of the Forgotten are developing strong mental skills and are once again being hunted by the Psy. It's up to Dev, the leader of Shine, to protect his people. The conflict for this story centered around Dev and a left-for-dead Psy scientist whose mind has been broken by the Psy Council and may be a sleeper agent sent to destroy everything Dev has worked toward. This is a strong addition to the Psy/Changling paranormal romance series and opens the door to many future plots that I'm very excited to read about. Once Nalini writes them, that is. *grin*