Honesty is the best policy.. unless you work there...

Unheard of... another post... three in a week... hold onto your shorts, this is a good one... 

(I have no idea where that little ditty on the left is from, but I love it!) Progress- not perfection, right? Thanks to Facebook- the land of perpetual plagiarism...

Which brings me to today's topic... 

Maintaining honesty (integrity) in today's world. 

It IS possible. Sometimes, it's even entertaining... 

A few nights ago, I had to mail out a few packages from a local office supply store that also does USPS/Fed-Ex, UPS, etc... 

As I entered, I realized I needed the mailer packages, so I sauntered off to get the two I needed. 

Approaching the area designated for "mailing," I saw that there were a plethora of people waiting to be served, and the two girls behind the counter were wrapped up in one particular (agonizingly demanding) customer. 

It was interminably hot in the store. As I steeled myself for a long wait; drenched, I thought of the Uber rides I could be providing. 

Needless to say, I forgot to pay for the shipping mailers in my hurry to leave. 

Three Uber rides later, I was back at said store to pay for my envelopes. After taking a screen shot of the two (different) envelopes' SKUs, I headed off to the clerk I had dealt with earlier.  

The clerk looked at me like I had three heads as I explained my visit's purpose.

She sent me off to another clerk to try and pay. After explaining my story repeatedly, he responded that he was shocked that I came back to pay for it. I told him that I answer to a Higher Authority that wouldn't appreciate me stealing. 

He then proceeded to charge me for two of the smaller envelopes, rather than the larger and smaller - hence, too little. Negating the receipt, I was still pondering the math as I left the store.  

As I was trying to get away  leaving, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go back and explain, yet again, that I owed them money... 

Wanting ever so much to actually leave the store, I strode back in again. 

Visions of the movie Ground Hog Day filled my mind and dazed expressions of disbelief greeted me with the next set of obstacles clerks, as I again explained that I needed to pay more. 

They ambled of to find the manager. He came back with them, and said, "Ma'am, while we really appreciate your honesty, let's just call this thing even. Have a nice night." 

I just find it so curious that it was so shocking that I would want to make things right. 

But yet and still, I maintain that I did the right thing. Lights in the darkness, right? ;) 


<><  

Paying It Forward

Hello and welcome! 

I am thinking again. That usually means trouble for the poor unsuspecting victim reader. 

This time, I am thinking about getting older. Unfortunately, it's a fact of life. 

You may get older, but that doesn't mean you have to get OLD! 

My favorite people are the ones that no matter how old they get, you still see a spark in their eyes. 

Yet, again, I digress.

There is a point to all this nonsense  rabbit trail is that: if you are going to get older as a musician, what are your options? 

• You play as long as you are physically able to do so  

• You teach

• You take up Scrabble and forget music

• You whine and carry on about how you used to be so good, and relive your glory moments in front of everyone you can subject them to find - this also includes posting them to Facebook, Twitter, or sending endless videos 

                                   OR

• You pay your talent forward  - which is also aptly titled: it'snotallaboutme.com

Now is when I insert a Scripture, since I tend to draw continuous parallels; so if you need to close your eyes and avoid at this point, go ahead. :P 

"Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

(See that wasn't so bad) 

As seasoned players we have a lot to give to the up and coming. 

They have the chops, speed (whew, do they EVER!) and they have dreams. 

I may not have theory, BUT I can show them style, finesse, and the space BETWEEN the notes: a most woefully overlooked area. 

(Thank you to my dear friend Shawn Byrne for that invaluable lesson) 

I can give my time and my blood, sweat, & tear soaked experience to make YOU a better player!

So, as YOU have been GIVEN, give back! You never know what impact you can have on a life! 

Build a lasting legacy - build people!!! 

God bless! 

<><   Lori 

Hope for tomorrow

While I don't generally get "preachy" I wanted to give you a wee bit of encouragement. This seems like a pretty good place to start :) 

At a time when so many are grappling with depression and some really hard things, I am finding myself torn between two extremes. 

While I am excited about the promise that a new year brings, I am also feeling bittersweet. 

This was a hard year, both for Connecticut, and for me, personally. 

Our state saw extreme devastation with Hurricane Sandy wreaking havoc with countless communities. We had a crazed gunman snuff out precious little and not so little lives - most of them never had a chance to grow and thrive. 

Personally, I have watched cancer spread it's ugly dark canvass over many of my dearest and closest. 

As I have watched people in my region by and large  retreat into fear and suspicion, I am struck again and again by the Words of Jesus - "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Matthew 24:12

It sure seems to be the way of things lately, doesn't it? If you are like me, you are wondering where in the world the love is lately... 

I have some good news for you... in fact, some really Good News...

Real Love hasn't gone anywhere! He's still here, in the hearts of His followers/children, looking to be unleashed on this lonely, fearful, suspicious, and hurting world. 

Wherever you see love overcoming evil, there He is. In the smile of a stranger, in the eyes of a humble bus driver, or the caring hands of a hospice nurse. Or, in the arms of a soup kitchen volunteer giving food to the hungry. In the voice of a tenderhearted preacher, or the overworked and very underpaid teacher. 

God says in Scripture that if you look for Him with all your heart, He will let you find Him... "If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." Jeremiah 29:13

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16. (yes, THAT'S what those signs at football games mean ;) 

He loves you way more than you can even imagine! 

With that thought, I wish for you a New Year that brings more joy and hope than you ever thought possible! God bless, make beautiful music,  and stay safe!  <><

**If you would like more information on how to have a relationship with Jesus, leave me a note and I will help you in your search! 

A Long Wait

Do you ever stand in line wondering what else you could be doing? OF COURSE you do! There are some lines that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy - namely the D.M.V... 

Every second is an interminable Chinese water torture moment, suspended in eternity. Other lines are long and arduous, but at least there are perks. In the grocery store, they often have samples, eating while you stand there can be a small consolation. There is also reading the beyond believable Rag-Mag headlines. 

There are also the occasional lines where you will gladly wait no matter how long you have to endure the standing. 

Here's a line I stood in this weekend- it was the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, CT. They make a delightful gastric feast in the form of a fritter.  A heavenly warm rolled in cinnamon-sugar fluffy puff. With real apples. Decent sized chunks o fruit... :) 

But in all seriousness, when you are trapped in a line, use the time to sow some "seed."  Some eternal seed - look for opportunities to help someone in need.

The Bible says something pretty cool about the subject: 

"They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good  deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor." Psalm 112:9

So, sow some good seed and watch for great return! Peas out!

The Joys of Estrogen

Ok... this one may scare you guys - er, men off.... the title is certainly daunting... and I admit, at times I display the "spaghetti maze" of thinking that IS the female mind...We have been confounding men down through the ages... lol

Yet, I, sometimes, don't understand women... and I am one. I am a little off center, I suppose most creative types/musicians are - with that having been said... let me describe my typical experience when meeting a woman that is... shall we delicately say: 'past childhood rearing years'.

Scene: a typical women's church function - around the craft table -

I am surrounded by about ten middle aged 'ish' women. We are chatting cheerily away about typical "girlie" things - work, God,cooking, children, the men and issues in our lives. Suddenly out of nowhere, the woman next to me stares intently at me and blurts out - How OLD are you!?!? Me, I am somewhat uncomfortable with the subject. Old age has crept up quite sinisterly on me, and I am not at all used to being in the throes of mid life. sigh... Why does that question weigh so heavily on most women that they absolutely NEED to know how old you are?

My guess: the old 'Compare and Compete' syndrome? "Am I as pretty as she is? Am I prettier? How do I compare?" Why does everything have to turn into a competition? Does it really matter? (insert frustrated sigh here) The outer stuff fades anyways... beauty is nice to see, but if you have no inner beauty, then in my opinion, you really AREN'T beautiful...

(and if you really want to know what God thinks is beautiful go to www.biblegateway.com and quick/keyword search 'beautiful'. I think you will be mighty surprised!)

I have one more proverbial bone to pick with the female gender. You see guys, even WE, at times, get sooo vexed with --- DRAMA... I really only want to experience drama if I am sitting in a semi comfortable air-conditioned seat and someone paid for the ticket. : ) AND no one around me is talking on their cell phone or putting their feet on the back of my seat. Gum snapping is also discouraged. (Don't their parents teach kids any social courtesies these days?) sigh... that is for another rabbit trail, entirely.

Men can be sooo much easier to relate to. I envy ANYONE that can actually think about NOTHING! Really! I do... Let's face it, if I have 15,000 words per day and the man I am with has about 500, it can make for a crowded evening.. Ladies, it's so worth it to use up those many extra words on a woman that can actually pay attention without getting tired! lol

But seriously, though we speak two totally different languages in every conceivable way, when the two halves come together, it's pretty neat! What a design plan! Have a great weekend, all! <>< : )