From singing with the radio to listening to an anthem on Sunday morning to clapping along with a gospel choir, music expresses our thoughts and feelings, touching our hearts like nothing else. Country, Celtic, Classical–there are so many types of music, something for everyone.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen D. Davis, deployed to Iraq’s Anbar province and winner of a recent talent show there, started playing the guitar when his parents bought him his first one when he was 10 years old. When he was 11, he wrote his first song, about his grandfather. Davis loves to talk with veterans and hear their stories. Most of his music is patriotic, often inspired by the vet’s stories. One friend said of Davis’ music, “When he sings or plays, it makes you feel like you have something to live for. He’s definitely an inspirational writer.”... Read more here

No sooner does Susan Boyle (Britain’s Got Talent’s runner-up) drop out of the headlines than we start hearing about thousands of wannabes showing up to audition for the next round of American Idol. Mostly, they are sent home after a 30-second hearing, dreams of recording contracts and national TV left at the stage door.

It’s hard when things don’t turn out like we’d hoped. Sometimes, we get stuck with our disappointments. We blame other people for our shortcomings. We stop trying. Writer’s block, we say. My boss/director/commanding officer is a jerk. It’s not my fault…
But what if, instead of reacting negatively when we don’t achieve our goal, we allow ourselves to see the opportunity we’ve been given? Ok…that didn’t work out the way I expected, but I did it-I went to the audition, I applied for the new job, I took the promotion exam. Maybe I learned something, about myself, about my skills, about where I can grow.
... Read more here