On my first day of college many years ago I began to feel the presence of something awaken within me.  It was the beginning of a song, (perhaps that’s why my name is Melody), that started forming in my soul.  It was faint and sweet and beautiful.  I began to give myself over to this Melody, this inner longing that was delicately beginning to sing.  Had I not listened, had I not allowed myself the space and time to hear what was emerging, I might have missed my life and lived another’s dream for me.  I might never have been able to  ‘give myself to this world’  in the ways that have brought meaning to my life.  That was the most formative time of my life and taught me the value of patiently waiting for the song that was mine alone to sing.

My life took a very different path than anyone in my family.   I have followed my heart and listened to the longings of my soul as it carried me through miles of quests and discovery.  Though I have never ‘save(d) the whole world or do(ne) anything grandiose’ I have lived in a way that is satisfying and free.  In each stage and phase of my life I have been filled with beauty and love and have been carried on to listen more deeply to the voice that continued to sing.  My only regret is I didn’t have the confidence to feel clear about my choices, though somehow deep in my soul I knew I was making the right choices for me.  Too much time of my life was spent in doubt, questioning the validity of my own voice.

I have always been willing to jump out of an airplane, metaphorically, of course.  The problem was that I did not know that a big, bright parachute was strapped to my back.  After I leapt into something new I was often terrified and questioned why I said yes.  I have come to realize I always land on my feet and the ride is always full of life and growth.  To choose to jump when my inner voice speaks has been my superpower and has propelled me through a life that was off the beaten path and full of beauty.

In each of you lies a song waiting to be sung.  When you pause and give yourself space to listen to the voice deep within you will hear your life calling to you, guiding you.  Your unique song is what will lead you to your life’s meaning.  When you give yourself over to your own heart’s calling not only will you….’ give yourself to this world so in need of rescue’,,,,,,,,,you may find your soul rescued as well.