SHH Updates

Tomorrow afternoon I and others (I hope you!) will be Singing Heavenly Harmony, SHH-ing, in the library.  Checkout this post for location details. 

We're switching lightbulbs in December.  Instead of Dec 11, we are rescheduling to sing earlier, on Dec 4, so SHH doesn't compete with Barbara McAfee's Singing in the Light event (see her Schedule).  If you have an opportunity to check it out, Do! It is where SHH was and many other voices are nurtured into their fullness.  The December 4th SHH will be at the same bat time, 4-6 p.m., and at the same bat place, the O'Shaughnessy Room (108) of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library at the University of St. Thomas. 

In 2012, we're setting up permanent lamps for SHH on the first Sunday of the month except when the library's closed.  Like Sun, Jan 1, 2012.  It's likely SHH will shift to the next open Sunday.  Check back here to see where the SHH spotlight will land.

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Upcoming Fall 2011 Sing Heavenly Harmony dates!

Another Sing Heavenly Harmony (SHH!) season begins!  Jot these dates on your calendar, invite a few others, and come prepared to make a little noise with that voice of yours!

• Sun, Oct 9, 5-6 p.m.
• Sun, Nov 6, 4-6 p.m.
• Sun, Dec 11, 4-6 p.m.

SHH will commence in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library of the University of St. Thomas (map). 

I am excited to share that the good folks at 3-Minute Egg: The Twin Cities Arts Seen will be joining us for one of these community sings.  When that date is finalized, I will pass it onto you! 

Blessings!  C~

Savoring moments

Last night Grace Notes sang to a woman who glowed in the presence of her visiting husband and daughter.  She didn't speak but her eyes and face spoke volumes of the innocent joy of basking in the attention of family.  Words of encouragement and comfort tumbled out of our mouths to them, for them.  Her guests were so appreciative saying that music helps move through the clouds, reaches deeper to connect with the person they love and remember.  After savoring deep hugs of gratitude and strength we parted. 

Tonight I am savoring the generosity of 18 friends and family who made my first fundraising attempt a success. You went beyond the bounds of my imagination and I am so grateful.  With your support I can dream bigger dreams for bringing music for healing to those in need. 

The impact this can make is awesome.  Join us on this journey of savoring moments.  It's just beginning.

threshold of generosity and gratitude

24 hours ago I was sweaty with dread and doubt.  Okay, the sweaty was more a circumstance of weather and my insistence in not turning on the A/C.  The dread and doubt were real though.  What if no one supports this work?  What if my threshold for doing this work has been maxed?  How foolish will I look?  Will I ever be able to lift my head high again?
Four hours later, back from the evening's activities I check email and am overwhelmed.  A few friends decided to be contributors.  Generous contributors.  More generous than I would ask.  And I am grateful.  So very grateful.  We passed the halfway mark easily and reached the three-quarters mark.  How would we reach the threshold of my goal? 

In less than 24 hours, you, my beloved supporters of Grace Notes, have demonstrated true generosity.  And even went a little beyond the threshold I set.  And a different little voice inside me says, Why did you doubt? 

Perhaps you were following this little Zen heart sutra:  Gate Gate, Para Gate, Para Sam Gate, Bohdi Svaha.  (Translation:  Go beyond, Go beyond beyond, Go beyond beyond towards enlightenment) 

Why is it I (or do you hear a little of yourself in this too) lower the expectations of myself, friends, family, co-workers, everyone, etc. to stave off disappointment?  Shouldn't we be holding each other up, reminding each other of our best selves? 

So to that end of reminding you and me of our best selves, I am extending the Razoo goal back out to the original budget amount of $6,360 (yep, I lowered it to my bare, bare minimum to ease the disappointment -- the difference seems so insignificant now!) and invite you to be generous with the gifts you have to offer, beit writing prayers of support, in-kind offerings or financial gifts.  The threshold is less than $75 away...

What will my gratitude feel like when your generosity have matched that threshold and gone beyond?  Stay tuned.