Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Change

"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
Since the tornadoes struck a couple of weeks ago, I have been trying to really practice what I teach.
I think that most of us who live in the area are still dealing with the shock.......but in my community classes I keep talking to my students about gratitude and not dwelling on the devastation. The dead have been buried, clean up has begun and we have to acknowledge that as bad that day was, it could have been worse. The death toll could have been much higher, because every time I talk to someone who survived they tell a remarkable story......of being pulled from rubble, of flying through the air, of walls falling in on them.

It is difficult, because I have a hard time thinking of anything else......and there are times when I feel as if the skin has been pulled from my body and every nerve exposed. It is hard to concentrate, and go back to daily life as it was before, maybe we are not supposed to go back to the way things were before.

Rick and our friend Steve and I are playing a benefit in Cullman Saturday to help with fundraising. We practiced tonight and it felt good to let creative energy flow. It is odd, I think my voice sounds different,deeper, more throaty, dare I say a little aged.

Change........not just mere change, but upheaval has taken place all around us. I see it on the faces of people I meet in the grocery store, at the post office......this change came hard and fast.
Maybe as time goes by, all will be as before.......but that is hard for me to believe. I think for many of us, this change has been a lasting one....we will look at things different and those things will change.

So every morning, as I lie in bed, I go through my gratitude list, it has become an obsession.....to make sure that I acknowledge, that I don't forget. It is way too apparent how quickly it can all be lost. I find myself wanting to hear friend's voices, to see them and hug them one more time.
To let family and everyone around me know that I care, that they are important to me.

For the most part, change has always been a fairly easy thing for me to deal with, but this change
hangs in the air, heavy like summer humidity. I know that this too shall pass, but the burden of this change weighs on my shoulders and all those around me........ Good night, Sweet dreams.

6 comments:

  1. What happened was a terrible shock and loss to everyone who lived in the path of those tornados. I suppose a sense of safety is gone. But you are saying and doing the best thing. Being grateful for the good in life helps us get through the hard times. Thanks Jilda.

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  2. As much as we don't want it to, life does move on and in ways we don't wish it to.

    The tornadoes and now the horrendous floods are devastating. As much as we can't change an act of nature, we have to put one foot in front of the other and move forward to help those still here.

    I know it is a shock, but dwelling on it won't change the outcome. We can only take away a better understanding of life in the face of all that has happened.

    Dream well my friend.

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  3. Have you ever put a clip of your music and singing on your blog?

    You sound like you have a healthy attitude, helping people move forward.

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  4. You were so blessed to escape this horrible catastophe and you are still reeling in the stress from it. Can you even imagine what the others who lost loved ones, pets, homes must feel like. It's wonderful that you are doing this fundraiser on Saturday. You guy are so awesome!

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  5. I can't begin to imagine how dreadful it must have been for you, and that sense of shock will stay with you all for a long time, I suspect. But as Skippy says, and as you quite rightly said, life does go on. It sounds hard, but it's true. And you are so right to be thankful for every little thing in your life, thinking how everything could have been lost for ever. Try to keep positive Jilda, and good luck with the benefit on Saturday. I hope you raise lots of money x

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  6. Hey Technobabe there is one on Youtube if you use Jilda Watson in the search.

    Jilda, I really feel for you and all the people in your area and hope it gets better for all of you soon.

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