New Year's Eve!!

Wow. I can't believe it's New Year's Eve already! It's been great writing this blog for about.. what... 6 months now? So glad to be able to make international friends, and get some input on my writings. Thanks for all your support.

So as a tradition, I've always done 2 things when it comes to New Years. Part A: On New Year's Eve, I make a list of 5 things that I'm thankful for in the year. Part B: On New Year's Day, I make 3 resolutions, and 3 promises. You should all give it a try :) It's kinda fun :D

Well, here goes nothing!!

I am thankful for...
1. Friends and family who have helped me through all my struggles in the past year. There have been times that were tough, but they were always there relentlessly pushing me forwards.
2. This blog, where I can make new friends, as well as vent or share my thoughts with the world
3. A chance at everything I can do. There are so many things I can take for granted, and I seem to lack the understanding of the significance till its too late.
4. A health care system that I can depend on when I'm in need of it.
5. The ability to graduate from High School this coming year. My teachers are generally great, and I've learnt a lot. I can't wait to see what University has to offer!

What are you thankful for in the events that have happened in your life this year? Worth looking back on? Anything you'd change?

Happy New Year everyone! Here is Auld Lang Syne. Enjoy :)

Final note... if you plan on drinking on New Year's. Please don't drink and drive... a possible individual's life is worth far more than your convenience and carelessness. Call a cab! Get a DD!

Happy New Year my blog readers :)

Music is for Healing <3
Till Later!
JLogging it ~ JoLee

From two to one

Hey Readers! It's the holiday season and I'm super excited! Sorry for the lack of posts lately. As a musician, there are far too many concerts one can be involved with during this season. I'm just thinking of a great time that I can spend with friends and family this Christmas Season, and I'm hoping you guys will enjoy it with your loved ones. I thought I'd try a poem about a topic I never write about.. but we'll see how it goes. The composition of two relatively foreign concepts...  Let me know what you think!

From Two to One

Like waves a' crashing into the sand

or the moon reflecting the beauty of the sun

A librettist configuring his libretto

The potter shaping his clay

A hummingbird feeding off an orchid

A snowflake so gently touching to tip of your nose

The horizon meeting the prairies.

That's what I wish for us to be

No longer will it just be you, or just be me

but something with
both you and me.

Just as the waves wouldn't dance towards the sand

if no sand was in place

and how the moon would hide its phases in solitude

if not for the glow of that fiery star.

The clay holds no shape without its potter

and a song without a composer, is no song at all.

The beauty of an orchid can't be passed on,

if not for the love of a hummingbird that feeds on

the beauty of nature

through snowflakes melting

on the tip of your nose

creates for me a memory which without you

I wouldn't know

Never wanting it to end, like the undying

horizon with no end.

This is my desire for you and

For us to be

Together, complimenting

what we each hold strong

and to create

an even stronger picture where nothing goes wrong

A love that's fair 

but a love that's undying

A love that's worth fighting.

Found this really cute song yesterday! Perfect Two
Just so you know, "Merry" isn't the right marry.  

Merry Christmas :D

Till Later!  

Music is for Healing <3

JLogging it ~ JoLee

Inspiration

It's been a while, but hey, its currently midterm and cramming season here in high school. I'll be posting another entry soon hopefully.

Here's just a little inspirational clip that I found. People go through lots of struggles these days, I'm sure of it... but when we look around, it's the people who have faced struggles and pain that are strongest and have so much to share.



It's great to know that celebrities aren't all that the news makes them to be, and that they really do care for others too. This is Drew Seeley's Fly, dedicated to a cancer patient.


Till Next Time!
Music is for Healing <3
JLogging it! ~ JoLee

Just a face?

I'm sorry it's been a while since I last made a blog post, but hey, I'm back!

Well, through this lil' break, I've realized a few things. Thought I'd share one of my insights with you.

Walking down the streets you see people with different benevolences and facial expressions. The benevolence itself is not a major bother, it perhaps is an initial impression, but what else about one's facial feature makes them stand out? It's the look they have on their face. What facial expression are they expressing. Are they aware that they are sharing their innermost thoughts with the world?

A persons facial expressions, even those within the smallest time frame really can show so much. Yet the truth is, people also neglect it the most. A picture is worth a thousand words. An action is a conjunction of pictures, representing a million words. Then what is a single facial expression? To me, it is worth a billion words. It can be an action based on instinct without thought, but also a plastered picture. Is the face an individual is making at this very moment in time a forced smile? a cheesy smirk? A frown of discomfort? A face of boredom and lack of entertainment? We all have made at least one of these faces before, whether we are aware of it or not. However, behind every face is a meaning. Behind every face is a story. No heartfelt smile is there just for the sake of a heartfelt smile, what is your story?

Next time you walk down the streets of a highly congested community, or even just around your neighborhood, look around. Perhaps your eyes will be opened to those around you, and the surroundings more so than they are now. I've realized that myself.

Being able to walk through downtown, I have seen the homeless on multiple occurrences. Yet, I will always remember seeing their smiling faces. Why they smile? I honestly have no idea myself. But the smile is more than just a plastered expression to pass the time. There is a depth and a heartfelt genuineness to it. They have a story, and I'm sure it'll be an experience to hear. But after much contemplating on how they themselves live their lives, I've come to think of one final statement about that one man's smile.

You're in control of your own happiness. The circumstance you are facing may bring forth an illusion of how happy you should be, or lack of your happiness. However, to be happy in any given situation is yours to own and to take. How do you view your struggles?

Here's a song that I heard on the radio the other day. 

Happy, Pharrell Williams.

Music is for Healing!
Till Later!
JLogging It- JoLee

Healing or pain?

Here's a short film I found online early today.... It's SNOW DAY here where I live.. Lucky to be up north ;) ahaha. Just kidding. The school shut down because there was no power from all of the falling trees. Here's just a little something I thought was moving.

It's true that music can heal... but I guess music can cause a sense of discontentment, uneasiness, and suffering. Really difficult to have to watch this from a different point of view, as I've always took my ability to play the piano for granted. Moving piece of film. Really great stuff.

Well, that's just a little something to make up for last time >.<

Till Later!
Music is for Healing <3
JLogging It ~ JoLee

Small Note

Hey! Thanks to the few who have been caring and messaged me. I'm fine, but a bit stressed with my personal life lately.  I'm sorry it's been close to a month and a half since my last blog entry. Sorry to you all. It's been a busy summer! Lots of fun, but lots of troubling thoughts too. I can't really say much right now, but I'm hoping you all had a great summer and are back into the swing of normal life! It's going to get hectic! I can feel it :P. Well, as for me... It's snowing... and it's only Sept.9th. CRAZY STUFF!! Back in school, graduating year... BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! But I do have some thoughts to share. Forgive me for the grammar and just.. terrible writing >.<

There are those who are strong willed at heart

They can ignore all the heartless words flying around in this world.

Their confident strides

Nose held high

Self confidence like no other. 

But perhaps, there will be a point where they break.

A weapon stronger than any other

Sharper than the edge of a sword.

Our tongues

They speak what we only ought to ignore

They drip of dark venom

intoxicating words that change the world

But a danger far closer than what meets the eye, 

the change of individuals.

Words can change ones thoughts,

Make them believe what they don't want to believe

Change who they think they are

Cause chaos in the minds 

that once were filled with peace

The madness is insane

Who am I?

Where am I?

What is this place?

One day,

They'll stare into the eyes of that mirror

and say

"There's something there...

But that isn't me."

Why would one be unable to recognize

Their own self?

Their own features?

Their own characteristics?

Their identity?

It's all because,

not long ago,

We told them so.

We told them what not to believe

We told them what they are

who they are not

and who they aught to become. 

The person they now see

 is a nightmare

All because

We told them so

Haha. I can't write poems. But I have a project in English, so I thought I'd work on a few. Hopefully you were able to understand what I'm trying to capture. I've got essays to write and music to arrange. Thanks for reading. Unfortunately, no music today. But keep your head held high and don't be afraid to be you.

Till Later!

Music is For Healing <3

JLogging It ~ JoLee

Music ~ inspires and heals

Not all homeless people are homeless by choice. Some people really do meet rather unfortunate events. Here's a really cool story of how 3 students chose to help a homeless man. The feeling left behind is greater than the money he earned. But for the homeless man, he got the message; someone cared. Check it out! Music can heal!!

http://www.viralnova.com/homeless-surprise/

Till later!
Music is for Healing! <3

JLogging it ~ JoLee

A Message to the world.

Sorry for the later posts, summer has been busy with my part time job and all. Thanks for your patience. Really glad to have readers like you. So... while working at a medical clinic these past two weeks, I've really come to realize that it's the patient you have to place first. You can't be caught up in your own circle of life, but outreach and speak to them. Rudeness is an automatic shut down, but being too straight forward and professional is a turn away too. I really like to people watch. Haha, sounds kind of creepy, but it's true. I like to watch how people interact with others and the world around them. That lead me to these few questions....Have you ever wondered why people seek to be acknowledged by other people? Is that the most important thing about living? To please others? Or is being content with yourself the most important?


It's tough though to think about. One can easily say... "Oh! I'm happy with what I'm doing, what other people think won't matter." but that generates isolation and solitude. That doesn't create happiness... Yet the other extreme of only making others happy may create a scenario where you aren't content with the decision that society expects you to make. That may leave you in a guilt trap all your life. Once again, there is no sense of happiness. So which really is more important? And what should one live by?


Honestly, I don't have an answer for you. I think both aspects are very important in life. You need to know when it is important to please people, but also know that you have a duty to be content with your own actions. While trying to think of an answer, I kept thinking about this quote. "Your life is your message to the world." What you do in your life displays who you are. What people see is largely a part of the real you. So how will you define yourself? How will you show your individuality and your identity? Are you a people pleaser, or are you more along the lines of independence? Either way, you are you, and your life is your message to the world. Live with the idea that you are generating a response to the world. A positive or negative lifestyle will leave a positive or negative message. What are you going to say with your life? Your life is a message to those around you, and those yet to come.

So.. here's a song. It's fairly cheesy, and I remember singing it way back when I was in Gr.3. Haha, but it's interesting.. the lyrics... bear with the singing, it's a bunch of little kids, but listen for the lyrics.  We Can Make A Difference ~ Denise Gagne.

Music is for Healing <3
Till Later!
JLogging it ~ JoLee

Late Post

Sorry for the late posts. I'm working on the next one. Hoping all your summers are fantastic!!! It has been really warm where I live, and it's really nice. I've been busy, but will get to you all shortly. Here's just a note for you to chew on :P

Though things may not end the way you planned for them to, there's always beauty and happiness in what has occurred. It just depends on how you view it.

Till Later!
Music is for Healing <3
JLogging it ~ JoLee

Regret.. Why? Move on.

Have you realized that for some reason people's lives revolve around regret?  People think about regrets in regards to past events, the inability to step out into the future, and most likely much more. Yet when it comes to regrets, where does it all come from, and why does it stick to us so much? Is regret greater than happiness or is regret so powerful that none else matters till we've achieved depression?
In my terms, regret is the feeling of sadness or disappointment when you are incapable of getting something done, or forgiving yourself of past mistakes. Yet, that's not how we have to live. It's a cliche thing to say that we should take our mistakes as learning experiences, but it's true. Personally, I like to think of that phrase differently. Our mistakes were caused by a reason, mistakes are different than accidents. Mistakes are the result to our actions, but that just means that yes, we do learn from them. But why does some learn from their regret and why do some not?
I've realized that in my personal life, I learn from a regret when I come to terms and accept my mistake and think of my future. To acknowledge the reasoning for my actions and the reasoning of its consequence (good or bad) helps determine what needs to change. With that in mind, I should no longer worry over the past, I've done the most I can do with it. Therefore, you look to the future. What can I do to make my life better, other people's lives happier, and the world a better place? Use your regrets to further your potential and to help others. A regret doesn't have to stay a regret, it can become a stepping stone.
As for not learning, you realize it when opportunity knocks at your door for change, yet once again you choose to take the same actions that caused you regret in the first place. Sometimes it takes more than once for people to learn what they need to do. Honestly, I don't know why people don't learn. I personally also have experience where I don't learn either, and all I can say is.. sometimes it takes a friend to point it out. It really does hurt to live a life of regret. So I like to think that my regrets are brought upon me so that I can live a refreshed life once I've learnt to act upon it. Life gives so many opportunities. It's time to take them!

Here's a song just for you! This is a bit of insight on why I chose this topic.. perhaps there's no connection at all.. but I thought of it after hearing this song.
Sorry for the late post. Summer is busy as ever!

Music is for Healing! <3
Till later
JLogging it ~ Jo Lee

Dealing with Grief

Upon request from a friend on Facebook and a blogger from Russia, I've been asked to write a post on the coping of grief. We all deal with grief at some point in our lives. Some may be mild, some may be crushing, and some may make you feel like you've hit rock bottom. Considering there are so many different circumstances in which grief can occur, and where it may come from, there are different ways one can cope with it. However, there are general similarities with ways one can cope with grief.
Throughout my life, I have befriended many cancer patients of varying age. Some are family friends and some you just happen to meet when making a hospital trip. You realize that they themselves don't always grieve over the situation they are in, but seek for the joy's they have in life. Yet, how did they get past the initial point of grief and emotional depression? I often ask them this question myself, and their answers are all relatively similar. In fact, even a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in the States has stated something similar to their words.

1. The biggest thing they said is to acknowledge that the pain is there. Be mindful that you are grieving, be aware that you are going through emotional suffering. This helps with the process of dealing with acceptance over the matter. They often tell me once you acknowledge the situation that brings you grief, you no longer run from it, allowing you to move on.
2. Find Support. People seek for friendships, relationships and the comforts from their loved ones all the time. Having people to support you not only lets others become aware you are in grief, but allows you to be proactive about your thoughts. You can express your feelings through conversation instead of keeping it bundled inside. This helps to ease up the tension that the grief may be causing you before a mass breakdown.
3. Allow yourself time. You don't always have to be immediately back in the swing of things, and don't purposely hide your grief. Sometimes it's better to let an emotion go and deal with itself, before coming back to your typical routine of life. Time won't always heal everything, but it is an important factor to moving on.
4. Set a Goal. What are you looking most forward to in the future? Make it your goal, set something to work towards, and that will help push you out of grief and cause you to continue to work hard.Provide for yourself a direction to move towards, instead of idling in the present pain.

These are the general points that I have collected from cancer patients that I know and have spoke with. They are all dealing with their grief very well, which I am extremely thankful for. Grief appears in everyone's life at some point. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to someone, it helps.
So, I've got a list of songs for you guys this time!! Cause music heals ;)

Lost of a family member? A sibling, or someone younger than you?
It's Okay to Cry 
Dealing with Loss?
Not a Day Goes By ~Lonestar
Like to listen to Classical Music?
Vocalise Rachmaninov
Thais Meditation Massenet
Like Upbeat songs for grieving?
Try It's Okay to Cry ~Amanda Wilkinson
We Cry ~ The Script

Music is for Healing! <3
Till later
JLogging it ~ Jo Lee

Where are you the most beautiful?

Recently, I've seen a live presentation based on a letter that has gone viral. It's about this father who is at a make-up aisle at Target, and he decides to write this letter to his daughter about beauty. Here's the link to the letter if you feel like reading it. Dad's Letter to Daughter.  After reading this article, watching this live presentation, you can't help but to focus on the last part few sentences he says. Where are you the most beautiful?

Kids all around the world today are caught up in the physical appearance of beauty. Watching these elementary students shop in the make-up aisles, and the make-up and cosmetic toys they can purchase at young ages... it's all overwhelming. To what extent has society made us think the joy in our lives comes from the beauty we are able to display? And to what means is our beauty rated by society externally and not internally? Does our appearance matter more to others than our nature? Sometimes as a teen myself, I wonder.. What is society trying to make stand out to us? Sure, they may say things like "oh, beauty is from the inside out" or "you are beautiful just the way you are". But cosmetic companies need the advertisements, they need the profit, they want to make you feel inadequate so you purchase their products to feel beautiful. Do our lives revolve around the fact that we compare our beauty to those around us, and only through physical appearance? What would happen if we all rated beauty from the inside, and appearance wasn't even significant? How would our world change? 

All in all, each person is beautiful. Hearing the message from the Father to the daughter, and seeing the live performance really makes it stand out. we are all beautiful in our own way. Therefore, where are you the most beautiful? 

Here's a clip to you all, Britt Nicole's Gold. 

Music is for Healing! <3
Till Later
JLogging it ~ Jo Lee

P.S I'm sorry for the potentials of insulting anyone with my perspective on this matter. Know that it is just my perspective, and I am more than happy to know that people may be opposing of it. 

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! For those of us who still have our fathers around, tell him you love him, and give him a big hug. I don't know if you are like me, but I'm thankful for my dad. The sacrifices he's made to make my life complete are far too great to measure. It's beyond what I could imagine.

For those of you who's father can no longer hold their hands and walk together with them in life; know that your father is still with you. Though you may not see him, you know he is there. He is with you every step of the way, and will never leave you. He is forever in your heart, and watching over you like your own personal guardian angel. 

Fathers are a blessing to us. We should treasure them forever. Thank you fathers! Thank you for your sacrifices.

Here's a song, play it for your fathers!

You're My Hero ~ Teresa James

Music is for Healing! <3
Till Later

JLogging it ~ Jo Lee

Who you really are.

The biggest questions I've had lately: Why do people not really show who they are. Why is it that people can be so two faced? You provide yourself a reputation to this one person, but a different to the next... but which is the real you? Are you lost at finding yourself and who you truly are, or are you discontent with who you have become? But for such a person, if they create for themselves an insulting nature, should you pity them for being unable to find out who they are and their potentials? It's not that I look down on people who think they should act differently around different people. In fact, I'd say that acting one way in a professional setting and another in a casual setting is a pretty generic thing. You see it happen lots where people show two sides that are both them, the fun loving, and the serious. Yet when it comes to people being inconsiderate and insulting versus caring and flirting, you can't help but consider, are they both sides of you, or which one is fake? To me, there is a limit to being too different in your personalities. Perhaps it's the point when other people get hurt that you measure it by, or perhaps you don't even measure it at all. After observing a few people that I've realized struggle with the problem of being true to their own nature, I've come up with this:

Some people really just don't know how to present themselves in society. Society provides an individual with a reputation based on single moments and actions, but along with the reputation comes social responsibility. Perhaps the coping factor of dealing with an unrealistic responsibility is to become two-faced, being neither 100% the given reputation, or not. They are able to show multiple personalities, which gives them a chance to explore their true natures before wishing to pursue a true reputation. Scientists have once said that till the mid 20's, one doesn't have a complete picture of who they are in life, and where they stand. But when it comes to such a matter, is it societies fault for creating false reputations, or is it a person's fault for implying false reputation. In ways it's both, in ways it's neither. The shallowness of society leads to the incapability for a person to really show who they are. As for the person them self, they are at fault for constantly changing personalities, without a consistency that people can rely on. It is important to find one's true self, and it does take time. But in the sense of finding one's true self, there should be some form of consistency, or else it results in false reputations and confusions. 

False reputations can hurt people who believe in them. Perhaps it's too naive to say that, and perhaps it's naive for the people to believe in such things. But we are human after all, and none of us are perfect. Here is a song that I've listened to lately. It's an older song, but for those who have hurt others, maybe you'll now what their thinking of. 

Because of You. Kelly Clarkson

Music is for healing! <3

Till Later
JLogging it ~ Jo Lee

P.S I'm sorry for the poor grammar, as well as potential insults I may have indirectly fired at you. Feel free to leave any comments below like previous years :)

JLogging it --> BACK!!

Hey! Welcome to JLogging it :D It's been years since I last made a blog post, and I've missed writing things for you read. So, here we go again! Wishing you the best, and keep updated! I'll be making blogs at least once a week :)
Here's a song to keep you happy! These guys are unique, and pretty awesome. What else better to do with empty beer bottles than make music? Haha XD
Walking on Sunshine :D

Music is for healing <3

Till later!
Jo Lee