Thursday, June 17, 2010

Hallelujah!




I had a different post planned for today, but I'm feeling a little out of sorts tonight. Nothing major...just the juggling of my changing life right now.

As I sat down at the computer, perusing favorite websites and then trying to write this post, I had a hard time settling in.  Then I pulled up this video...and listened again...and again.

I guess I'll be able to write that post I had planned another day. 

I first heard K.D. Lang sing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah during this past winter's Olympic ceremonies. It gave me goosebumps then.


Something, I really don't remember what, prompted me to listen to it again this past week. And I keep listening to it because it speaks to me on so many different levels.

First off, it is a beautiful song...well written, soulful, almost haunting. But it's more than that. Many have sung this song, but in my opinion, K.D. Lang owns this song. Her voice is incredible and she delivers this song with incredible passion.

But I am not writing this as a K.D. Lang testimonial (well, maybe a little)...

There is something powerful in watching (or experiencing) someone do something that they are passionate about. When I watch Lang perform this song, when I hear her voice sing with such passion...I can almost feel the power in that. No, I can feel the power. And I can see at the end of the performance how she is moved, nearly to tears, when the audience shows their appreciation for her performance.

And that part moves me too.

These days, as I sort out my life, I've been thinking a lot about how to make my life meaningful. I guess that's just a natural consequence of turning 50 in a few short months and losing the job that I've been doing for the past ten plus years. It makes you stop and think...

What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What am I passionate about? How do I share those passions with the rest of the world?

I know that I am passionate about making art and sharing it with others. I am also passionate about helping others. Somehow, I want to combine those two things.

There are no easy answers, for sure, but it's worth exploring. I hope you don't mind exploring some of those questions with me.

And now I'm off (finally) to go buy that CD on Amazon...I think it would be incredible music to paint by! 



I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
.

3 comments:

Shalet said...

Although I like the KD Lang version my absolute favorite version of this song is by Jeff Buckley. It always brings tears to my eyes!

pinkglitterfae said...

You will figure it out Risa, there is a word for what you are going through right now. It sounds like a life transition, and you are just on the cusp of discovering how to blend your two loves together.
I saw KD sing Hallelujah at the Olympics too, and she pulled you into the music. She clearly felt every word, she lived it, and it was almost like no one else was there. That's passion.
xoxo
betty

Wyanne Thompson said...

I love KD. Thanks for sharing the video. I had never seen it. I think all the questions that you are having are wonderful. You are on the brink of some really big things. Love you, and love what you do...in that order.