Inspired Expression Inspires Me

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It has been a while since my last post. I have been somewhat consumed by efforts to build my new website www.supercapesuperyou.com. It's a wicked cool online store where we sell custom made superhero capes for kids and adults. Its fun to tell people about because they always sort of pause say something like, "I can understand capes for kids, that's fun. But adults? What kind of adult wants a cape?" Well I have seen a cape gifted to an adult and the response it so much more touching then what you get form kids. 
Don't get me wrong, kids love capes, but adults... wow. It's like instant transportation back to childhood. The thrill, the smile, the moment of self belief as if they are saying inside, "hey, I am super. I am special. I am a hero." 
It is wonderful. And a lot of fun.

Last night my wife and I went to a free musical performance. Now you may imagine a local band at a local park or something, but this was so much more. It was held in a rather large conference center that seats 21,000.  It included joint performances from a choir of 360, a full orchestra, six bell choirs, a university ballet department, dramatic readings from Edward Herrmann and vocal performance by Brian Stokes Mitchell. It was nothing short of spectacular. What really touched me was that most of those involved do so  with no financial compensation, just the joy of sharing their fabulous talents.

As I write about this now I think of the shepherds mentioned in Luke 2 in the bible. They we commanded by the angel to go and witness the birth of Christ. They were men who lived lives of humble quiet contemplation. They did not just go back to their flocks and say to themselves, "hey that was neat." They actually went around telling everyone what they had seen. They served by telling the story by sharing hope of something better to come. What I enjoyed last night. The years of discipline and practice of hard work and training, it was like the shepherds energetically sharing the truly incredible story of hope that is the birth of Christ.

I left that performance last night full of light and joy and hope. I felt an overwhelming desire to reach out to those in need and help. I wanted to be better and do better. Perhaps this sounds cheesy. I am not a particularly big fan of Christmas, the hustle, the materialism, the hours of driving to visit everyone. It feels tedious at times, but tonight I am full of gratitude for this season and the savior who's birth we celebrate this time of year. I am not just greatful for his birth, but for his life of giving.

Merry Christmas! 

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