The Echo

OK... I think I'm becoming a bit of a cut and paste blogger! Like my last post, this was sent to me via e-mail and I want to share it. I hope that the person who sent it to me doesn't mind.

As 2009 draws to a conclusion, I think more of us are looking forward to a new year than ever before. However, with that said it is important to remember that often the most reward comes from enduring difficult times. I know everyone has faced many challenges this year, but let’s look to the future with a positive mind set and a determination of champions. Have a great New Year!

The Echo
"A son and his father are walking in the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself, and screams: 'AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!' To his surprise, he hears a voice repeating, somewhere in the mountains: 'AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!' Curious, he yells out: 'Who are you?' He receives the answer: 'Who are you?' And then he screams to the mountain: 'I admire you!' The voice answers: 'I admire you!' Angered at the response, he screams: 'Coward!' He receives the answer: 'Coward!' He looks to his father and asks: 'What's going on?' The father smiles and says: 'My son, pay attention.' Again, the man screams: 'You are a champion!' The voice answers: 'You are a champion!' The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: 'People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. if you want more competency in your team, improve your own competency. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will give you back everything you have given to it. Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you'"
Now, during this new year, I ask you to stop and think for a moment. Are you paying attention and listening to YOUR Echo? From what life seems to be calling out to you, what are you calling out to life? Happy New Year!

The Funeral

This was sent to me via e-mail from a friend.


As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a grave side service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back-country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost; and being a typical man I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw that the funeral director had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down. The vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. As I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, " I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!
If you check this blog often you may remember that last year I had the pleasure of meeting Santa Clause and he told me the story of how he learned to play the bagpipes.
Well… I have kept in touch with Santa over the months since last Christmas, and he told me that he would like to play the pipes and share his story with you.
If you are interested in having Santa play the bagpipes and entertain the kids of any age at your party, please call me. I’ll set it up for you.

801-661-4168

Call soon, performance dates are limited.