Every Tuesday evening I have the honor of directing a great group of women and creating some beautiful music. The fact that we discover more about ourselves, the music and the possibilities each week, creates a unique bond filled with love, laughter, memories…and more.

Additionally, I have the joy of singing with three wonderfully passionate ladies in Playlist! When we come together to rehearse or perform it’s always a new experience.

Then there are the times when I have the privilege of sharing the intimate details of clients lives when I’m asked to write a song for a loved one. Their appreciation when I connect their hearts in such a unique way is a blessing beyond mere words.

Finally, watching my kids perform everything from Opera to Hard Rock or singing along with the radio – just the fact that they have each found ways to share music with the world is something that every mom and performer can appreciate.

I’m thankful that I grew up amongst a family whose faith and joy of singing created a foundation that has lasted over 50 years…but who’s counting !

To my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, classmates, fellow thespians, and Sweet Adelines…thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And to my husband who supports and encourages my endeavors in performing and teaching music – I love you.

May the music fill your days!

Love,
Kira

OK maybe that’s going a bit overboard with the metaphor but you get the point.

In a recent discussion, someone told me that two teachers in a relationship with each other weren’t necessarily a good match because they were always “telling each other what/how to do___”…because that is how teachers teach.

The simple fact that it DID upset me spoke volumes.

As I thought about it I realized that the best teachers guide their students on a journey of self-discovery. They understand their subject and students so well that they can formulate questions to encourage them to find their own answers. While there are times that some details may be necessary to provide a foundation…that foundation is best laid when the subject is eager for knowledge.

Those teachers that feel pressed to deliver, unqualified or limited in their scope of knowledge may resort to an answer that includes some form of “that’s the way it is”.

Or there is the parental fall back of – “here let me do it for you”, because it’s faster and simpler in our push button world.

I’ve done both in my time. And I can recall the frustration…and guilt, when as a young parent or teacher – I would say or do these things because I felt a lack of choices.

Most often it would be with something that either came naturally to me and I didn’t know how I knew something or some time when I had neglected to plan my time well and everyone paid for my shortsightedness.

On the other hand, I’ve worked as a vocal and speech coach with adults who struggle with presenting themselves, speaking up or performing and seen the results when a well meaning but unskilled music teacher (stuck with being a choir teacher in addition to their regular classroom duties) or parent who told the child to “just mouth it” or “we just need you to sing more softly —- all the time” and that child grew up believing they “couldn’t or shouldn’t” sing or speak out.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who loved what they did, my parents who read to me or let me listen for hours on end to talking books. Music teachers within and without my family who loved to sing as well as teach. I even remember in college when I solidified my love for history. There is little doubt that it was tied to my Western Civ Professor who, for 12 weeks, one short semester, spoke of places and times past from a personal relationship. She had traveled all over Europe and her eyes would light up when she talked about the Parthenon or the Coliseum. It’s been over 30 years and while I admit I don’t remember her name, I remember her passion and love of the subject.

I believe it is the same thing with children. When we share our love of reading, music, math, science, nature…whatever the subject NOT because we want them to love it but just because it flows out of our own love for it – they will pick up on it. We’re not telling them they have to learn something – we’re sharing with them our own enthusiasm. There is no need to force them…because we really love what we’re doing.

So the next time you want to help someone learn a concept, skill or craft, if it becomes a struggle – take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I love what I’m talking about?
2. Am I trying to “tell” them what to do?
3. Do I feel like I have enough tools in my tool bag that I can help them discover their own answers?
4. Am I unattached to their results?

If you answered no to any of these – consider asking for outside help. And let me know how it goes.

In the meantime, thank someone today that has inspired you, share a smile with someone you love and find something to laugh about it’ll keep you young at heart.

Love,
Kira

Love
Kira

Here are the lyrics:

Let go and let God use you
To praise His Holy name
He knows the light and the darkness
He knows and He loves you just the same.

Please trust that He will guide you
Let faith and love keep you strong
Hold fast the promise of His comfort,
Believe the promise of His song.

Let joy be with you each morning
At noon, may thanks fill your heart
With peace to close off the evening
Your life will be a work of art

So just let go and let God use you
Your life’s the praise that they see
He knows the road you’ve traveled
Take his hand, you’ll find all that you need
~ Kira Wagner

When I look beyond my ego
I find a cause to sing
When I look around at the universe
I find joy in the tiniest thing
When I look within at the love I’ve known
I find the laughter that seems lost
When I look into your eyes my friend
I see a life worth any cost

by KPW

If we just take the time to open up, open our eyes, open our hearts and our lives we find there are miracles in every moment.

I just happened to be talking to my Chiropractor Dr. Alan Dubin about belief and how the smallest doubt can affect the outcome of a situation, when he mentioned that he had just started reading a new book. Our conversation led to my watching a lecture by Dr. Bruce Lipton. Presented in 2000 during a lecture to colleagues this video – over 2.5 hours – was amazing to watch.

If you have not had the pleasure of acquainting yourself with any of the works by Dr. Lipton – I assure you – you are in for a treat. In The Biology of Belief Dr. Lipton goes extensively into how your thoughts affect your genes (and you life isn’t about hereditary cause and effect). His extensive historical documentation, in-depth cellular research and  ability to communicate the information so that even someone who didn’t particularly care for biology in school could grasp the wide reaching effects of what he was saying was impressive – to say the least.

Check it out here: The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles

Yes – it’s a pretty amazing universe and we have much to be thankful for so in the USA or any other county in this wonderful world – make it a beautiful day!

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Love,
Kira

On September 21, 1981, the United Nations declared an International Day of Peace. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for this momentous occasion.

As a habit then, I believe that peace starts within, within our own hearts and souls. World peace will only be a reality when we find ourselves at peace individually. We can make this happen one moment at a time. I don’t know anyone that rides the Love Train 24/7 – 365 days a year, but we can begin the journey together and find ways to embrace the peace and love. 

One morning a few days ago, I woke with two tunes going through my head. One was a line from the song by John Lennon – “all we are saying is give peace a chance”. It repeated incessantly. It was overlaid by another tune and the following poem, which I wrote and share with you today –

I feel love in every day; I feel love in every way

I feel love deep in my heart, in every day there’s a brand new start.

I feel the peace flowing through my soul I feel the love that makes me whole

I feel peace I know I’m free I feel that peace deep inside of me

I feel peace of ages past; I feel that peace – I’m home at last

I feel the peace flowing through my soul I feel the love that makes me whole

I feel peace I know I’m free I feel that peace deep inside of me

I feel peace of ages past I feel that peace – I’m home at last 

I won’t kid you and say that I always feel this way. In fact, I’ve really begun to understand that the more I think I know, the further there is to go.

Nevertheless, it is a start and it is part of what allows me to know moments of total freedom. Something so ingrained that I know no one can take it from me. That if I “lose” it – it’s because I’ve chosen to give it up.

Thank you all for being part of my journey to freedom!

Love,

Kira

For others – it may simply be a new day. A new opportunity to see God’s beauty.

Wherever you find yourself today – may God bless you.

Below is a poem I’ve written for today. Enjoy and — thanks for reading.

Love,
Kira

Is over the rainbow so far away – or is it here, now, today?
Are we fighting for something we already have inside?
Or will we stand in the light and no longer hide?

Words like freedom, peace, joy and love,
Are gifts deep within—gifts free from above.

Take a moment today and let love fill your heart
See the miracle you are—a true work of art

Share a smile with a child, see through their eyes
The beauty of now and the sheer joy we so prize

May blessings be yours—may they fill you with song.
Let your voice ring out clear—sing it loud, sing it strong.

In all of your tomorrows – should there come a time where you need a hand to lift your spirits – may you find it here. With the help of a few friends and some time I’ve compiled a list of songs that help me “get through” the tough times.

May 2008 be a GREAT year.

These songs are simply arranged in alphabetical order and if the embedding option didn’t exist I left the link so you just have to click on it to listen/watch.

With 33 selections you’ll find the selection fairly eclectic – just like I am – ranging from Opera to Broadway and Rock to Rap.

God Bless and Happy New Year.

Love,
Kira

Amazing Grace Leann Rimes http://youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM

Angels Among Us Alabama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMB62g-A3Hk

Calling All Angels Train http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAKF3_hCSNs

Can You Feel the Love tonight Elton John  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkGDrV_2ehI

Candle on the water (Pete’s Dragon) Annaliese Van Der Pol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW5ZGLEiW1o

Don’t Rain On My Parade (Funny Girl) Barbara Strisand http://youtube.com/watch?v=JAVlk4F2qkw

Everybody Says Don’t Anyone Can Whistle http://youtube.com/watch?v=tJOwbrbswyc

For Good (Wicked)    Wicked    http://youtube.com/watch?v=05jdB1tGE_g

Friends    Michael W Smith    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOCJAVlESEo

From a Distance    Bette Midler    http://youtube.com/watch?v=i5_YAj9lCQc

Hero    Mariah Carey    http://youtube.com/watch?v=PWlS8Oerx8o

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands    Tanya Tucker    http://youtube.com/watch?v=guyrERfsCB8

High Hopes    Frank Sinatra (Flower Drum Song)    http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlsitMRQAdA

Hope    Twista    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1sRFbsKDY 

I Believe    Elvis Presley    http://youtube.com/watch?v=YztqE6QzCww

I hope you dance    Lee Ann Womack    www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTQfERb9HVk

If You’re Reading This    Tim McGraw     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ixC-LYDGc

Imagine    John Lennon    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEOkxRLzBf0

Impossible (Cinderella)    Lesley Ann Warren & Celeste Holm    http://youtube.com/watch?v=JKK_tq-VBk8

It’s My Life    Bon Jovi    http://youtube.com/watch?v=gi-c6USo8fQ

Live Like You Were Dying    Tim McGraw    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mHaFMqde6A

One Moment in Time     Whitney Houston    http://youtube.com/watch?v=8EbYmMb4lR4

Somethings Coming    Westside Story    http://youtube.com/watch?v=xu7sRdRrm_w

Talk To Me    Angelix Listen to the audio on myspace

The Impossible Dream (Man of La Mancha)    Sung By Donna Summer     http://youtube.com/watch?v=yZvtcuTeJ4I

The Prayer   
Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli http://youtube.com/watch?v=db1-IlnW2YY

The Rose    Bette Midler    http://youtube.com/watch?v=PIBUaMe37B8

This Little Light of Mine    Sydney Ellis Gospel Quartet    http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Vn6HJRiVyE

Waiting On The World To Change    John Mayer    http://youtube.com/watch?v=hKnF9CCYQPQ

When You Walk Through a Storm    Katherine Jenkins    http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffBIOTP5vtg

Wind Beneath My wings    Bette Midler    http://youtube.com/watch?v=9d9l8K7xOYM

Wonderful World    Louis Armstrong    http://youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc

You Light Up My    Debbie Boone    http://youtube.com/watch?v=wxo0lsJnx-U

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah    Song of the South    http://youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ

Here are the three performance/interviews.

The performances are wonderful – and the best comment is when he says that he realized I am somebody – I’m Paul Potts. about 1 minute in on the second video.

Do what you love and be who you really are…that’s the best gift you can give yourself and the world

Sometime ago I wrote about the passing on of two wonderful souls…in connection with one of those a song was written…or as Charla says, channeled. I’ll be posting this song on my website as soon as I know the best way to put it in there.

In the meantime hear the song

Go directly to their website on myspace Angelix