mar's Desk

marcoujor: To Leave Behind

12/27/2017

I happened upon this quotation which seemed a perfect way to wrap up any of our collective unfinished business, as we enter a new year filled with promise, hope and wonder.

What do you think…?

"Six things to leave behind in 2018: Regrets. Negative thinking. Drama and chaos. Anger. Resentment. People who bring you down."
-- Charity M. Richey-Bentley

One thing I don’t want to ever forget is the legacy of some wonderful musicians that we lost in 2017. This is music that soothes my soul and makes my heart dance - it always will for me and I hope it will for you too.

This week I challenged myself to select a song from some of these superstars who now sing in the heavenly choir. And the songs ‘kinda’ fit these icky things we shall hereby leave behind.

If nothing else, I wanted to build a wonderful soundtrack for this post-holiday time. Hoping you will enjoy listening to these musical maestri … take your time getting lost in the lyrics and the melodies:

Regrets

Gregg Allman, most known for working with his group The Allman Brothers Band, died on May 27th. He was 69 years old.

Negative Thinking

Grammy award- winning Jazz musician, Al Jarreau, died on February 12, 2017 in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 76.

Drama and Chaos

Soul singer Charles Bradley died on September 23, 2017. He was diagnosed in 2016 with stomach and liver cancer.

Anger

Singer and pianist Fats Domino died on October 24, 2017 at the age of 89.

Resentment

Glen Campbell, also known as The Rhinestone Cowboy, died on August 8, 2017. He was 81 years old.

People who bring you down

Singer Tom Petty died on October 2, 2017 after going into massive cardiac arrest - at the age of 66.

Hoping you enjoyed one / all of these greats. Thanks for hanging out with me.

ShoutOuts

☙ Encouragement Ignites Desire via Martie’s Foyer

☙ A Penny For Your Thoughts via WarnerWords

☙ Mounted Archery: My New Venture via On Story Street

Until next week, wishing you ‘full speed ahead’ in the new year department.

Hugs, mar

27 Comments

Rich Rumple link

12/27/2017 07:55:39 am

Oh, sweet Sis, wouldn't it truly be wonderful if we could flip a switch and change our personalities? My philosophy is a little different in that I don't mind the battles with the five foes you've mentioned. The secret is to never allow them to take over your life, instead! As the world around us is going to present us with constant conflicts of one thing or another, we have to keep ourselves "fit" mentally to face them head on and prove that we are superior. Then, we can calmly sit back and bask in the glory of knowing we achieved and are capable of surviving no matter what the challenge. Let us change regrets into learning experiences, negative thinking into positive thinking, drama and chaos into a chance to make a person smile instead of frown, anger into laughter as we minimize the cause and its affect on the rest of our lives, and turn resentment into dust in the wind. Only by facing these foes regularly can we keep in practice of recognizing and defeating them. When I did stand-up, I faced these nightly as the audience came to the club in all different moods. Changing the moods into smiling faces and laughter is a feat that makes one feel fantastic. I still try to live by the "make a person laugh and you ease their burdens if only for a minute" philosophy. That "minute" might be the difference between them going over the edge and remembering we're all human. Just my two cents. Sorry for the rambling. :)

Maria link

12/28/2017 06:40:48 am

My dear bro, Rich,

Your ramble is filled with wisdom and creativity, worth way more than two cents to me.

Nurses (many of us) can be likened to 'stand - up' comics by the bedside - trying to bring beauty and hope to those who are sick / suffering,

I know you have given similar hope, optimism and joy to your audiences...and today, to all of us who love you so.

Thanks for being my first comment adding depth and perspectives to my chosen music. Love ya, Sis

Sageleaf link

12/27/2017 07:59:35 am

Beautiful post, my friend! The music selections are well-curated. (Do you think you were a DJ in a past life? hehe). We did lose some good ones this year. Last year we did, too. I still think about David Bowie...and this year with Tom Petty...ayiieee!
In any case, I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, that you had a wonderful Christmas and that you have an incredible New Year! Sending you big hugs and warm smiles!

Maria link

12/28/2017 06:47:09 am

Thanks, dear Cynthia.

You are astute in picking up that I have long yearned to be a DJ. In fact, it is on my bucket list ...!!!

I am ever so grateful that beautiful souls like you enjoy my virtual attempts at spinning the sounds.

I very much wanted to include a Bowie song - losing such great voices makes me want to listen to their music even more now, with a new set of ears.

Blessed and happy new year to you and yours. Love, Maria

Kimmie

12/27/2017 09:48:36 am

Dearest Maria these are truly worthy goals to leave behind and by doing so enriching our lives through out the year and the next! May I embrace them and work hard to accomplish each one:)
Happy New Year dear one
Love and hugs!
Kimmie

Maria link

12/28/2017 06:49:46 am

Dear Kimmie,

You are my role model for kindness, compassion and positivity.

Shedding this list will be a piece of cake for you I am sure.

Blessed, peaceful new year to you, Roy and family. Love, Maria

Sunshine

12/27/2017 12:14:08 pm

Awesome things to leave behind!! I have one...I will no longer date Trump supporters. I ain’t got no time for that. 😉

Maria link

12/28/2017 06:56:29 am

Thanks, Sunshine ... our time is precious and I do understand / agree with how you feel... ;)

Shauna

12/27/2017 12:27:49 pm

Mar, these are all things I try to avoid on a daily basis. I love the music you chose to reinforce your message.

I didn't know Glen Campbell died this year. How did I miss that? Tom Petty's death really shocked and hurt, just as did Michael Jackson's and John Lennon. They'll live forever in our hearts and on our turntables, but it's not the same.

Happy New Year, Mar!

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:00:38 am

I love your 'rose colored glasses' way of living - one of the reasons you are such a dear friend to me, dear Sha.

You've brought up two great icons - I also love the music of MJ and JL. To me, they are breathing when I hear their songs.

Happy, healthy new year to you. Love you and hugs, mar

Vicki link

12/27/2017 12:34:27 pm

Dear Mareer,

This is very good advice, and also very clever! Love the way you put it together, and I'm sure you also had fun as you thought about this, and listened to your music. And now you've gifted all that to us! Thank you.
Wishing you a beautiful and peaceful New Year, dear friend.
Love and hugs,
Vickster

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:05:24 am

Dear Vickster,

You caught me having fun as I organized this post.

I'm so happy you have enjoyed this concert of sorts, surrounded by this wise quote.

Sending you my hopes for a happy, peaceful, healthy 2018 to you and yours. Love and hugs to you, mareer

Mike Friedman

12/27/2017 03:14:46 pm

Philosophy, music, wisdom, all found right here at mar's desk. Some amazing musical talent gone in 2017, but not forgotten.

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:16:07 am

Thanks, Mike. Your visits and remarks are always appreciated.

Sannel link

12/27/2017 05:05:59 pm

Dear Maria,

Yes, let us leave those icky things behind as we approach the new year. Who needs them anyway? Thank you for a great post this evening, and I enjoyed listening to your choice of music from some of our musical talents who left us this year.
Wishing you a happy and peaceful New 2018 where there is no room for regret, negative thinking, drama, chaos, anger or resentment. :)
Love and hugs,
Sannel

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:22:41 am

I knew that I was 'preaching to the choir' with this post, dear Sannel.

Thanks for your supportive and loving friendship all year.

Hugs to sweet Freddie too. Love, Maria

Audrey link

12/28/2017 01:32:33 am

When we are engaged in keeping ourselves busy and living each day with a heart full of gratitude - there is simply no time left for living with negativity in any form. Great choice of music!

Wishing you a New Year of peace and supreme joy.

Love to you Mar,

Audrey

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:25:59 am

LOVE your philosophy and totally agree, dear Audrey.

For you to approve of my musical selections is most appreciated - thanks much!

Wishing you a peaceful and happy 2018 as well. Love, mar

Martie link

12/28/2017 05:09:44 am

Dear Mar,

Remembering the people we have lost is one of the hardest things to do at the end of a year: Highlighting their achievements makes our sadness less painful.

I left those six thing behind a long time ago. All I have to do in 2018 is leaving them in the past, as it is so easy to adopt them again.

May the New Year meet all your expectations, dear Mar!

Hugs,

Martie

Maria link

12/28/2017 07:31:48 am

Indeed, dear Martie. Thanks for the reminder that shedding this negativity is an ongoing process - also known as life ... :)

Sending you all my love and best wishes for a wonderful 2018.

Big hugs and HI to Mr. B from me, mar

Peg Cole link

12/28/2017 04:10:57 pm

Listening to Tom Petty belt out the tune, "Don't Bring Me Down," which I love along with your musings and thoughts on what to leave behind in 2017. I'm with you on stepping away from the negativity, anger, drama and chaos. Too much of that seems to be oozing from the pores of social media. I plan to spend a lot less time out in the ozone of negativity in 2018.
Thanks for the great tunes and positive vibes. Happy New Year and much hope for better times ahead. Love and Hugs.

Maria link

1/3/2018 09:39:51 am

Sweet Peg,

I happily join you in the ozone of positivity - and I pray with my heart and soul that 2018 is happy, healthy and healing for you.

Love you and big hugs, Maria

Angelia S. Phillips link

12/29/2017 01:45:44 pm

Prof. Mahreer,

Hope you, Chef Geoff and your K9 crew have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!

Your above list is a good one. What I can get rid of on my own, I have. What I couldn't, I pray for help with and over the years, I've experienced some wonderful changes, that were not of my doing. I just had to be agreeable to them.

Works for me. :)

Love, hugs and prayers for a wonderful new year!

Maria link

1/3/2018 09:43:57 am

Thank you for such a beautiful and upbeat comment, dear Ange.

You are one of the loveliest examples of 'a work in progress' that I am proud to call friend.

Happy, blessed and peaceful new year to you and yours.

Love and hugs, mar

Genna East

12/31/2017 04:47:52 pm

Hi Maria...

This is the perfect remedy for our coming New Year...and so much of the discontent that seems to be festering and pestering in those who would seek to bring us down. I appreciate this lovely tribute to Gregg Allman, a brilliant musician, and other miraculous talents we lost this past year. "Don't Bring Me Down" will forever be part of their epitaph, as their music will live on. What a gift! Blessings, dear Maria, to you and your family in this coming New Year and always.

Luv and hugs...

Genna

Maria link

1/3/2018 09:46:22 am

Thanks for appreciating the message of this post, as well as some of the finest musicians in the heavenly choir, dear Genna.

Wishing you and those you love a peaceful and healthy 2018.

Love you and hugs too, Maria

Washington Teens link

3/18/2021 10:48:42 pm

Hi ggreat reading your post

mar's Desk

marcoujor: To Leave Behind

Regrets

Negative Thinking

Drama and Chaos

Anger

Resentment

People who bring you down

ShoutOuts

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mar's Desk

marcoujor: To Leave Behind

​Regrets

​Negative Thinking

​Drama and Chaos

Anger

Resentment

​People who bring you down

​ShoutOuts

Leave a Reply.

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Regrets

Negative Thinking

Drama and Chaos

People who bring you down

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