"A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it,
A song's not a song 'til you sing it,
Love isn't love 'til you give it away!"
--- Oscar Hammerstein II
"A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it,
A song's not a song 'til you sing it,
Love isn't love 'til you give it away!"
--- Oscar Hammerstein II
Good Morning Joe Petrowsky - bells do have a way of getting our attention don't they? In honor of the season, we should never ignore the Salvation Army bell.
Good morning Patricia. Whay do I have the urge to walk in a forest and be alone with my thoughts? Enjoy your day!
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Peace and tranquility... bells, like a walk in the forest awaken the senses. Listening to the voice within produces wisdom from the heart and soul. Wayne Martin - may you take refuge in being alone with your thoughts today and throughout the holiday season.
Good morning Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Cert Negotiations Expert, Military Relo Prof ,
Lovely post this morning. I grew up in upstate NY and remember the small white church with a steeple where we worshiped. We always had snow at Christmas. I loved the crunchy sound walking through the snow under your boots, bells that rang, candles that burned and the songs that were sung! Good memories.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Dorie Dillard - I remember driving through upstate NY to get from IL to Maine every year while I worked in Maine for a period of five years. I always left home, the first Friday in June. Every time I passed through upstate NY it was like crossing over the threshold, into a place of beauty, tranquility, and almost a cosmic unity I didn't have living in Chicago. And when I'd return to come back home after the Labor Day weekend, I always knew that upstate NY was the last resting place to gather up the strength I needed to get back home.
You painted a beautiful image of growing up in upstate NY. My senses highly approved. Those are good memories Dorie.
It's been years and years since I listened to a live choir bell performance. They are wonderful any time of year but there's just something special about them around Christmas time.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Good Morning Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert - there's something magical about a live choir bell performance that I can't explain but it sends goosebumps down my spine and makes me want to dance, hold a newborn baby, or just sit and listen. As you say, there's something "very special about them around Christmas time."
I think Christmas is needed because it grounds us and keeps our spirits aligned with what's really important.
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxNXtjGY_Us
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Thanks Roger D. Mucci - watching the ending of It's a Wonderful Life, was the perfect ending for this post... or should I say, just the beginning.
Good morning Patricia. I do have to agree. Love is not love until you give it away. I do like to hear the live choir bell performance. It has been sometime.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Hello TeamChi - Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - I have to say, love is not love until you give it away represents true compassion and wisdom. I hope you get to hear a live choir bell performance soon. Have a wonderful day and holiday season Michael.
How nice, Patricia -- I'm now thinking about bells and that's a good thing. Bells at Grace Cathedral on top of Nob Hill as I practice yoga; bell-like tones of tuned wind chimes; and cow bells in Switzerland and Austria as I hike among the mountains.
Thanks for helping me center this morning.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Lottie Kendall - I looked up Episcopal cathedral on Nob Hill, San Francisco, California and was pleasantly surprised to read its history. Being on top of Nob Hill has to be so fulfilling and meaningful, just like being in Switzerland and hiking among the mountains in Austria too. I'm sure this is where you get your centering and practicing rituals like yoga must be rewarding. Have a special day in harmony.
It truly is far better to give than to recieve! Then handbell choir plays at my church from time to time as well, such lovely sounds. Kids singing beautifully tops everything though!
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Truer words were never spoken Brian England - "it is truly far better to give than receive." Love is the greatest gift of them all! A child is priceless.
I love the title and matra over all...thank you for reminding us to give love!
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Hello Kristin Johnston, Waukesha Realtor 414-254-6647 - I love what you said, so simple and true!
Love is the spirit and motivation to live!
Good morning, Patricia --- you and Oscar certainly have(had) a way with words.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Michael Jacobs - your friendship and the friendship I've found here on ActiveRain is a blessing. Positive feedback fuels my creative soul and inspires me to keep writing. Thank you from the heart.
Very inspiring post this morning. I love your picture with the bell tucked away behind the leaves.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Thanks for the compliment on my photo Belinda Spillman - I was in awe when I saw it and had to capture the moment I saw it yesterday afternoon, from that moment on, I will filled with joy. I didn't even know I was going to attend the Christmas program until I discovered it was going to take place, about an hour beforehand. I made it just in time and from what I could see, there was one seat left. It was an evening of total peace and it helped me to put things into perspective. It's not about the rush, it's about sitting down and enjoying the quiet. Bells have a way of stirring something up inside. Have a wonderful day!
So beautiful! As you know I was lucky enough to have gone to Switzerland many years ago. So beautiful. I remember the sound of the bells and how much we enjoyed hearing them. We brought back a little bell for our children and my youngest wore it around her neck when she was a lamb for Halloween. One of my favorite memories!
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Sharon Tara those days in Switzerland are fond memories, arent' they Sharon, another world, another time, another place of extraordinary sensory persception. I love your story about putting a bell around the youngest child's neck when she was a little lamb for Halloween. I can understand why it is one of your favorite memories. If she isn't married yet, or if she has a child, did you ever think about giving the bell to her for, "something old," for the wedding tradition or to pass down to her daughter some day? I can only imagine how special your family is to you - you're a great mother and Nana too (and friend to all of us here on AR).
We loved Switzerland and hope to get back there someday. The first trip was all expensed paid through an incentive my husband won at work. Those days are gone and the expense would be on us to return. We were so lucky to get that amazing trip.
My daughter is not currently married. She is the one who is always off traveling. She is in a serious relationship now, so who knows. Great idea to pass the bell on to her. Thank you for all the kind words!
Thank you for the inspirational post . I love the quote.
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
I'm glad you enjoyed the quote and inspirational post Gita Bantwal - peace to you and yours this holiday season. Thank you for being a friend. It means a lot to me.
Patricia,
That is so true! And Oscar Hammerstein's music still lives one. Our first Christmas in Napa, we were invited to a winery for a dinner in the cellar entirely lit with candlelight, and they had the local high school bell choir perform carols. It was magical. A
Lou Ludwig
Boca Raton, FL
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Ron and Alexandra Seigel - your first Christmas in Napa had to be so enchanting! Not everyone has a first Christmas in a new place as special and unique as a winery in the cellar. The candlelight, taste of wine, the ambiance, and the sound of the bell choir perform carols must have radiated such joy to the two of you! It sounds like a fairy tale evening, perfect in every way!
Keep the magic alive!!!
Patrica
Growing up in New Jersey . . . . I looked forward to having a white Christmas.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Lou Ludwig - I know exactly what you mean. There's nothing more beautiful than that first big snow flake that gently falls from the sky. Then just like that, the bough branches are covered in soft white snow and soon the landscape changes swiftly to one of the most beautiful sights known to a child including man.
I love your quote selection and thank you for sharing your moving experience.
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Roy Kelley and Dolores - have a wonderful Christmas and keep the spirit of Christmas alive!
Patricia this is a special time of the year, and good to see you taking in what the season has to offer especially through the performance you attended. Just wish we could share a little bit of our snow with you when it finally arrives, so you could experience a White Christmas again :)
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
You're a good man George Souto! If I see snowflakes, I'll know they came from you and my heart will be glad!!!
I love bell choirs ! They are so uplifting !
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Hi Michele Connors - I agree with you! Bell Choirs are like the voice of an angel and they leave you with a good feeling all day/night long!
It's a pity for those kids that grow up and lose their innocence.
As for me, I'm still holding out hope, I think Santa is real, the elves work their magic and snowmen can dance. That helos me keep the spirit of Christmas and of life.
Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Always keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the rest of your life and never stop believing Claude Labbe - that's what keeps you young and an inspiration to others!
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