Don't Give Up!

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. - 2 Chronicles 15:7  

 I recently watched a small clip about the Celine Dion recording sessions for the song "All By Myself."  David Foster, the record producer on the album "Falling Into You," talked about how he wanted to stretch Dion's vocal abilities during this song.  His assignment for her was to hit an incredibly high note and hold it for as long as possible.  If she could do this he believed it would be an instant classic.  

     When the day of recording came, Celine Dion aced the assignment.  If you are familiar with the song you already know the part I'm talking about.  There's a build that takes place near 2:38 mark in the song where the song goes from a piano solo to Dion's soft voice singing about "living alone."  The crescendo builds into the climax of the song as she belts out the word "anymore!"  

     David Foster KNEW she could do it BUT didn't see her doing it in one take!  David Foster made her do it seven more times just to drive the point home!  It wasn't because he didn't believe in her.  He made her do it seven more time so SHE knew what she was capable of.

      One of my favourite places to run (when I'm not shaped like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man) is at the Irving Nature Park on the west side of Saint John, NB.  The main road through the park is marked off with distance markers.  I believe the road is 6.7 km long but I have never ran the whole way around, but I do use the markers to challenge myself.  I'll push myself to go farther than each previous run.

     I wanted to skip this week's blog, truth be told.  I wrestled with WHAT to write about.  I wrestled with the notion of fewer people reading than at the beginning.  I even considered tossing it aside like I have with so many other things.  Sometimes it's easier to give than to fight through.  Maybe you have felt that way as well?  Let me encourage you to keep fighting!  In fact, let's fight together!

     This blog is my way to fight through my own insecurities.  Maybe your battle is different? I don't know but let's encourage each other to keep going, shall we?  Let's encourage each other! Let's continue to push through and hit those amazing high notes!  Together we can rise to the task and blow all the doubters, including ourselves, out of the water!

FYI - I WAS listening to "All By Myself" as I wrote this blog...  You're welcome for the earworm!