Wish I had the chance

I have been thinking lately a great deal about the importance of family and the memories that we share in those moments.

I unfortunately never met any of my grandparents. They all sadly passed on before I was born. This in itself is not uncommon amongst people I'm sure but for me as I've got older and interested in my family history really feel that I didn't get to experience the precious moments in my life that oncan be shared by having your grandparents around (to maybe spoil you) :P

This led to the following song. My latest composition! The words are below.

Wish I had the chance!

Composer: Donald Mayne

1.

I look at the pictures on the wall.

They have so much history, but it don't seem real at all.

I wish that I met you in your time.

The sound of silence, is broken by the chime.

Pre- Chorus:

And I wish you got to hold me in your arms.

The way I hold the pictures from the past.

Chorus:

But the only memories,

Are the ones that people tell,

They’re only distant stories,

From the ones who knew you well.

But I know that when I look up,

To the heavens up above.

You look right back down from heaven,

And send right back down your love.

2.

I Know that God had called you home.

I think it was to soon, but I guess I must be wrong.

I hope that you'd be proud of me.

I tried to be the best, the best that I could be.

Pre Chorus & Chorus

3.

I look at all the faded photographs,

I see your smiling faces, they stare right at me.

I wipe off the dust away from you.

Then look to heaven, and let my thoughts run free

Pre Chorus & Chorus

Tag:

You look right back down from heaven,

And send right back down your love.

Copyright © 2011 Donald Mayne

The Update!

For those who have been reading my blogs of late would know some of the story of my dad's illness. The update for you all is a real positive one. Yesterday Dad got great news he could drive again. This is the first time since his stroke at the end of October that he has been able to get behind the wheel. This is a huge milestone for this saga as it marks a great milestone as to the recovery of this devastating situation.

Dad has also got some very positive news about just how lucky he is. He seems to physically be fit as far as he is able. The stroke has had some impact on the eyes and also on the heart, but it seems that with management this will be stable and that means that hopefully this will mark a milestone for the future.

I would like to on behalf of my family, thank each and every person who has prayed, showed support, spent time talking or visiting us and just being a part of our lives. You are a strength that cannot be measured with a numerical figure!

Peace,

Joining a long list

Sometimes when you look back in history you realise just how the people from your past shape your future. I have recently been informed of opportunities to do a few more things ministry wise. For me this is still using the natural abilities that have been given to me, but also continue a very special legacy which has shaped me and also hopefully will shape a new generation.

Part of this role has been to look over the history and see just what that means for my future. I have found new music (old but new to me) that I am sinking my teeth into.

Some of it is just beautiful, whilst some may have words tagged to them as Crazy, Virtuosic, Insane and beyond the normal day to day playing. Some might look away from the music, but I am really excited about getting some of this stuff down. Not only will it help me as a musician but it will hopefully remind those who hear it, a special moment or memory when hearing it!!

Back to rehearsing (don't look at the time) hehehe!!!

Tommy the Tuba

No one could actually work out just how old Tommy was, but by the look of his outside appearance he looked very old and not very attractive to the eyes. Tommy was dirty, gritty and his valves didn’t quite work the way they used to. Actually, only one of Tommy’s valves did work. The other two were injured or missing vital parts like the springs to keep them going, but Tommy didn’t mind, because he knew what laid beneath.

Tommy lived his day to day life on a shelf. Long ago he was a treasure that bought joy and the message of God to all that heard his deep rumblings beneath the more outspoken cornets and flying Euphoniums. Even the trombones got more recognition than Tommy and his family, The Tubassits. There was Tommy, Trevor and his younger brothers Timmy and Tony. Over the last few years though Tommy had been forgotten about as he lived in a storage room. It was here that Tommy began to really look and feel different. To all that seen him, he was just another reminder of days gone by.

Tommy was so excited! He was told that he was going to be reborn, and all he wanted to do was show the world that underneath all the grit and tarnish was joy and a message for all to listen too. From a humble servant of the history of bringing God’s Music to people, to a new message for everyone.

Tommy was scrubbed and polished and hosed down until a small shine started to emerge. Tommy was so happy because the cleaners and even their devoted pet (and water hose fetcher) was able to see a small distorted reflection of themselves in his outer layer. The Message was starting to be shown and the pet dog didn’t only like that hose but thought that Tommy was looking pretty good too (for his age).

Tommy started to feel so clean and new. Tommy thought that he should let his cleaners into a little secret. His cleaners were keen to find out where Tommy was born, so Tommy showed them his makers emblem and his unique number that all Instruments like Tommy get put on them when they are made.

Tommy’s Fingerprint allowed his cleaners to make an amazing discovery! Tommy was born around 1921. This made Tommy nearly 90 years old!!! Tommy suddenly felt a sense of joy and humbleness when his cleaners not only learnt this fact, but stood smiling at the image before them. Tommy had a message for them though that only a instrument broken and neglected could tell.

We are all tarnished and battered and bruised from our lives and experiences. We may not be able to be as active or even achieve the things we used to, but underneath that tarnish and our outer layer is a heart and story that when used for the Glory of God, can not only bring joy to others, but reflect light onto others so that they can see God’s reflection in us, as well as see where their own lives could benefit from knowing that God is there to guide them, even when others don’t see the worth in looking deeper than what we see at a quick glance.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Stained Glass Masquerade - Casting Crowns

Sometimes I find something that really does say everything that my heart feels at a given time. This song has really grabbed me. I find one of the struggles in my leadership is that I sometimes have to mask how I feel for the benefit of others. God loves me for who I am, when I am happy or sad, energetic or on empty, but he requires me to also be honest. With him, myself and with others. This feeling has partically been on my heart lately. Life is tough and I feel that I am walking through a valley, but I know that God has a lamp for my feet, that I may follow the path that he has for me. He is carrying me through this time, and this song has really made me see the power in his word at this time. I ask for continual prayer throughout this trial. As each day passes, the challenges continue, but it is not by my strength that I bow at his feet and worship him for he is worthy... More worthy than I feel I give him credit for when I stumble.

Work is done for 2010.... now onto 2011

Well the work year has finally finished for me in 2010.... What a stupidly crazy year it has been and I am truly happy that it is just about to come to an end in a couple of weeks. The year of change has been more eventful than a change, although it has led to me changing for 2011.

An update for anyone that knows the struggles of the last couple of months. My dad got some results back that seemed to suggest that he has recovered from his stroke. All the doctors have added how lucky he is that there isn't more serious ramifications from it, but for now, all we can say is that God has worked his power in a recovery. The marathon is not over yet and there are many more tests to come. I have had a hard time in some respects with this as this and work has pretty much put me in a place where I am so exhausted that I am conciously having to stop myself from stupid decision making... A couple of days R&R should help. I would love to publicly say Thank you to all who have supported myself and my family through the last couple of months and beyond. If you know me well, you will know that I love family and when all is not right that is my first priority.

I would like to take this time also to wish you all a merry Christmas. This time of year is always very busy for me, and I am in a good place when I see the smiles on others and know that we are celebrating not a holiday, but the greatest gift ever given to Man. A humble baby that would grow to be a sacrifice for me on a cross.

God Bless you all, and please keep healthy and safe.

humble and greatful

Early last year I was prompted to make a contribution to a school that for four years gave me every oppurtunity I could have to be the best musician and best person I could be. This idea came in the form of a music scholarship.
Tonight I was able to attend my old high school of Chaffey Secondary College and personally hand this award out, which for me was a humbling experience knowing that only 10 or so years ago I was sitting where the students were waiting to recieve awards. I was not a perfect student, I had my faults but I was always brought up to try hard and strive to do my best. This was apparent with the number of awards and scholarships I received in my schooling and how I can still look back on those moments and smile. Tonight many of those awards still exist like the South Mildura Rotary Scholarship. I won that in yr 10 and took great pride in seeing that someone else would win that beautiful plague that still proudly hangs on my wall.

The most humbling and satisfying thing for me was seeing teachers who taught me honoured for their years of teaching. I model my teaching on what was shown to me and the teachers I spoke to and shared with tonight all had a profound impact on my learning and me becoming the person I am.
There is a whole blog I could write on each of those teachers, but that is for another time.

I would just like to finish with this statement:

I have been honoured to share in an experience which shows that when someone is able to give, others feel blessed. When others are open to acceptance, others will outstretch their arms and show love. When songs are sung and played, others will grab on for the ride.

Hang On,

Don.

Exhaustion is not advised!

I have always maintained a sense of honesty in my life and this blog is no exception.

The subject for the blog comes from the personal experiences that I have faced recently.

I am a 'Yes' Person! This might sound so suprising but If I can help or can offer assistance, I usually will say yes and rise to the call for help. This often comes as a sacrifice to my free time, my physical and emotional condition (over a long period of time) and to my overall satisfaction with people and their work ethic. I constantly remind myself that I maybe the one who has it wrong, when other seem to do less than expected but still get their gratitude or what we assume they should deserve.
I am not comfortable with recognition or praise, but accept that it is important for people to celebrate successes, but it is a balancing act, one which requires wisdom.

I have had many wise people tell me to just say no. What has happened though is as I have done this it has given me more 'me' time but I have found a problem with boredom......

So what is my realisation. I have rediscovered the things I love by being in my state of exhaustion by factoring in and planning me time. I have included it in my schedule, so my brain can believe that I am still busy, however the tasks that I want to complete for me and no one else still appear as work...

I do not reccomend being exhausted as this takes it tool on not just you, but on everyone around you. I am attempting to sit in the silence of the world and listen to what life and God is telling me. My me time is not solidary as God is able to communicate with me. But I know that in this conversation, God has given me the challenge to make time not only for myself, but for friends and him as well...

Lord,

May the seconds that pass go slow enough that I have time to rest, but fast enough to keep my mind focused on the tasks at hand.
May you strengthen me in this time of challenge and exhaustion and refresh my mind, body and spirit to work in this world you.

Facing the Tough Times

I had a great conversation the other day with a friend of mine about the need to battle through the tough times in life to truly grow in our journey. Oh so easy it is to throw our hands in the air and blame the world for situations without thinking about the lesson that is instilled in the struggle especially about not facing life's problems on your own.

As a baby needs it's mother to care for it, so we need others to care for us too. Life's cycle demonstrates this. As we get older we often return to being at the will of others to do tasks that were in the past, easy for us to manage. No matter our age, it is important for us to remember this image so we can remember that there are no tough times that we can't get through, and their is no soul that is not loved for being the unique soul that it is.

Let's Love, Help and care for each other.

When times are tough who do you lean on?

Over the last couple of weeks I have once again been challenged on what or more to the point whom I lean on when I cannot stand up by myself.

Since getting back from camp, my life has been a rollercoaster as I have settled back into the routine of work and juggling all of my other commitments as well as the stress of having a member of the family far from well.

Since my sisters wedding a few weeks ago, my Dad had been battling some occasionally numbness and dizzyness. This led to him having (we have since found out) was a TIA the second last day I was on camp. Total numbness and a trip to the hospital and overnight stay was both a very tense period and a time for us all to sit back and work out just what our priorities are and should be.

The good news is that although at the moment he still can't drive (doctor's orders), he is feeling happy, relaxed and alot more aware of what is going on. He is able to do everything else but has to watch the blood levels in all aspects and make sure that he is doing R&R as much as possible.

This leads me to the question that is the title for this blog.

Through all of this time, the one amazing thing that has happened is the sense that the prayers being said by me and others have calmed my soul and strengthened my family. We are leaning on God, because he makes the way for us when all else seems lost. We are able to look for his guiding light when the darkness consumes our lives and we are able to walk through the quicksand safely because he is carrying us.

I remember the wonderful story about who packs your parachute and how it is also true in this case.
Who are you leaning on? are they strong enough to burden your load or do you maybe have to surrender the little bit of your hold on life over to God? Who has much more scope on what is actually going on then you ever will?