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LET THE SPARKLE SHINE (#SingingAsTheDarknessLifts 51)

 

LET THE SPARKLE SHINE (51)

PodBean Link for those who like to listen

This morning the air feels fresh and cool. I hunt for a hint of scent, but am instead drawn to the moon screen-printed in milky white on blue sky. As I enjoy the pull of the moon and remember it has been elusive under cloud recently I can still detect no particular hint of herb or grass or leaf. It makes me wonder where the aromas are hiding this morning. I estimate the moon to be half full and on checking find it is just over that at 56% illuminated and tomorrow will be just under at 46%.

 

Alt Text offers the suggestion that this week’s image is: “A stuffed animal with lights around it.” I say this is the image that summed up how I felt when I completed the first part of my coaching qualification in December 2023. It was a definite shiny, sparkly tingle of the feelings of pride, excitement and joy. I choose to share the same photo now because I have recently successfully completed the whole of my coaching qualification and those feelings are with me once again!

 

This marks a key moment in my life. I was determined to use this academic year to study and take a new career path. It's been a personal journey as well as an academic one, and it has been one of the best journeys I have chosen to take. That makes it well worth noting and celebrating.

 

I like taking time to look back before looking forward, and looking back to last September shows me how far I have come. I have met so many good people and have much to celebrate.

 

I celebrate the excellent work and vision Jo and Zoe from In Good Company, UK. The content and facilitation of the course they have designed is excellent. I had high expectations, and these were definitely met. I celebrate the wonderful people in my cohort. There is so much support for one another in this group and I absolutely love that. I celebrate all those people who have shared coaching time and space with me during my pro bono hours.

 

I was thinking about all of this whilst listening to some of my favourite duets on a long drive this weekend. I often listen to a playlist of duets while driving because I know each song will resonate and sparkle in my brain, whilst also keeping me alert. It’s the kind of music I can inhabit and be surrounded by all at the same time. I love that feeling. For me there is connection and uplift in the listening. It’s that harmony when the voices complement one another so well. It’s the fact there is a beginning, middle and end to the whole story of each duet.

 

And the harmony that is there in duets is also there in the connections we make with people. It shines when lifting others up and when being lifted up by others.

 

This makes me think it’s time to extend my playlist of my favourite duets and a decent reminder to always let people know when you are grateful for the harmony they add to your life. If you’ve got a favourite duet, I would love to know, and then I can decide which part I might take on when I am driving in my car. I swear I can even hit the high notes when I am driving on some roads...

 

Two of my absolute favourites at the moment are:

Catch the Wind by Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter

For Good from Wicked


 

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