It's about that time... yup: new journal time!
Well, today's subject is prayers and/or positive thoughts for people. Because I was thinking about it, in general for the past couple of days. Not very specifically, just sort of generally.
On Saturday we had our first official choir concert of the year. A lot of choral songs originate from religious texts, or have religious themes. But not everyone has to interpret them that way. Before our performances, we always have focus time, in which we try to connect more with the music and each other. Actually, this time all of our songs had religious contexts, so we talked a bit about how we personally interpreted them, or other ways we thought people could interpret them. I guess the feeling I sort of get from this is that, it doesn't matter whether the piece is religious or not, or if you believe in that religion or not-- what matters is that you take that music, and you find a personal meaning in it, so that in the performance, you give your heart and soul and you just fill that song with feeling.
For example, we sang a song called "Sanctus", which was designed as a part of a mass (even though it's not what you'd expect from a mass). Well, "sanctus" means "holy", but you can go even deeper and find what it means to YOU. Something that is "holy" can be divine in the religious sense, or awe-inspiring in ANY sense. So when I sing that song, I think of the world-- I think of how amazingly strange but wonderful it is that I'm alive and I have AMAZING friends and family and I learn new things every day, and, oh, just so much more.... I don't know how or why this is, but it just is. And that's COOL!!! It just makes me want to sing so I do!!!

And well, I guess an idea that I'm thinking about today especially... well, I seem to know quite a few people who are going through some REALLY tough times. Some of them are grieving, and some of them are facing a very serious problem right now. Now, I would say I'm a spiritual person, even though I don't know if I actually fit into a religion... and in fact, I don't feel like I need to fit into any religion. I'll believe in my own way, and I don't believe in forcing others to believe any certain way.
Well, the point is, sometimes I feel awkward when I'm trying to tell someone who's facing tough times that I'm thinking of them, and I hope everything is alright and I hope they feel better soon. Sometimes I feel okay saying I'll pray for them, sometimes I feel better saying I'll keep them in my thoughts.
Sometimes I'm just not sure WHAT to say.

But I don't think that's what matters.

As they say, it's the thought that counts. What matters is that you genuinely want them to be okay, and you care for that person and what they're going through. What matters is that you really want to express this to them, and that you do it in your own way. Even if you don't say it outright, even if you only give them a hug or somehow try to cheer them up-- what matters is that you care, and you show them that you care in your own way

And ultimately, I just want to send out positive thoughts/prayers/hopes for everyone who needs them. I honestly believe that, in some crazy way, the things that happen in life somehow all work together, but nobody ever said that life was easy, so we just have to be there for each other.

And soooo, to my buddies, I love you all

And thanks if you read through this ridiculously long journal entry, hahaha!