Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Undisputed Passion

Wednesday, March 24, 2010


My husband and I watched a show not too long ago about Scott Hamilton. You know, the figure skater who won gold at the Olympics and is known for his back flips on the ice. What a great and talented guy he is…and inspirational too.

He was adopted at six weeks and at two years old “contracted” a disease that kept him from growing. He wore a feeding tube up his nose as other children might wear head gear for their braces. The disease was never correctly diagnosed, but at a very young age, he began to skate and suddenly began to grow again. He only grew to be 5’ 2 ½ “ tall but was a very healthy man.

In 1997 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully beat it. He continued to skate professionally until 2001. Soon after his retirement, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I don’t remember what they called it exactly, but it had something to do with his pituitary gland which controls many things, including producing growth hormone for normal development of height.

In Scott Hamilton’s words, when he found skating, the disease went away. When he stopped skating, it reared its ugly head again. He beat that cancer too, and went back to skating and performed that back flip at the age of 51 (I think). I’ve never been able to do a back flip.

I think we all have something in our life that is healing. I mean a passion, something that gives you pure joy. Something that makes everything okay. Something that you can totally lose yourself in for hours and hours. For some it may be photography, or antique collecting, or sailing, or gardening, or writing. In my case, it’s singing. When I sing, I am at peace.

I started singing professionally when I was 19 and continued until around three years ago. At the time that I quit, it was a good decision. I no longer found that peace in singing. Several different circumstances had sucked the joy and fun right out of it. It became a chore rather than an outlet for my creativity and passion.

But, I am happy to say that I have started a new venture with an incredibly talented pianist (keyboardist) friend of mine. We’ve worked together in the past and I am thrilled to be working with him again and once again enjoying that “something” that brings me pure joy.

I was a little nervous at first, just because I’m a little rusty. If you don’t use your voice in a singing capacity for a time, well, you have to whip it back into shape just like you would any other muscle that you might neglect. I’m still whipping away.

We have our songs, we have our business cards, we have our web-site, and we almost have our demo. Now it’s time to get out there and start shopping it around. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

My question for the day…What is your passion? What makes you forget about everything? What can you totally immerse yourself in and come out feeling like a million bucks?

SIS Bren

16 comments:

SIS BJ said...

Hi Brenda

Great topic. I did't know all of that info on Scott Hamilton.

My passion? I can go out dancing and feel a million times better if I am down. Writing a poem that I feel is good. Others might not like it, but that's okay. Reading a great book. Watching a beautiful sunset or sunrise. I can think of many.

I am happy to hear you are singing again. You should always follow your bliss.

Chris Behrens said...

Brenda,

We saw that special about Scott. I knew most of it but some of it was news to me. What a great guy and an inspirational story!

When I need to forget everything, I just break out my hours and hours of videos that Jimmy and I took at Jack's and Harpo's years ago.......

Okay seriously, I do have hours and hours of videos in case anyone would like to see Bren/Barb back in the day, but I haven't watched any of them in like, days ;)

I do have something that I like to do that is sort of a zen/meditation type thing. I like to find free, hand-drawn black and white art on the internet (mostly gothic type stuff) and colorize it as realistically as possible. I'm not nearly talented enough to draw anything myself but I've gotten pretty good at the colorization part. I don't know why that works for me but I can lose myself and the outside world for hours by doing it. The only problem is that I have several unfinished pictures just sitting there as I rarely finish something before moving on.

If anyone is interested in those videos, contact me!

Sisters-in-Sync said...

B.J.,

Yes, dancing is so liberating. It's a good thing you're good at it.And I love that your poetry brings you such joy!

Thanks for kind words!

SIS Bren

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Krys,

I might like to see those videos someday. I know that I have a copy that you or Jimmy gave me. I just need to break out my dinosaur VCR and kick back and have a good laugh.

I'd love to see some of your colorizations. I'll bet they're great. I also have a bad habit of not finishing what I start. You should challenge yourself to finish a few...I'm sure that will give you a great feeling!

SIS Bren

Tori Lennox said...

I knew some of that about Scott Hamilton but not all. He's seems like such a great guy. I've always been a fan. :)

Passion. Hmm. Used to be writing but even that's not really doing it these days. Maybe working on my family history. Even when that's boring I still want to keep doing it.

Chris Behrens said...

Brenda,

I've been meaning to have them transferred to DVD, and as soon as I get around to it I'd be more than happy to give you copies of what I have. It's been so long since I've actually watched them I'm not even sure how good they still are!

Unfortunately, I am woefully inadequate when it comes to fulfilling challenges to myself. It's one of the many things I would change about myself if I could.

Beth Ciotta said...

Hi, Bren! What a great post. I've always admired Scott Hamilton. Knew some, but not all of what you shared. What an inspiring individual.

I love that you have redicovered your passion for singing/performing. I burned out on that for the same reasons you mentioned. I've yet to rediscover that desire, but perhaps that's because my 'passion' is now my writing.

How exciting that you're starting a new group! What's the band's name? You mentioned a website? Address please. I'dlove to check it out. When you have a demo together, maybe you can share an MP3 version here!

As to your questions... writing, rwiting, and writing. :)

SIS Beth

Beth Ciotta said...

BJ, next time I see you we have to go dancing! Also,love what ou said.... Follow your bliss. Love it!

Krys, how cool that you know how to colorize b/w art like that! I can see where that would be a great creative outlet.

Tori, I've always wanted to work on my family tree/history. I think it would be fascinating as I don't know anything beyond my grandparents. Perhps someday I'll get the time and enegery to pursue that. How far have you gotten?

SIS Beth

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Tori,

I've also always wanted to investigate my family tree. I think it would be so interesting. I recently found out that my maternal great-grandfather's name was Israel and that he was a highly respected craftsman. I wonder if that's where I got my interest in building and fixing things.

Writing is a passion for me also, but seems to be on the back burner for now. Rats! I hope we both get back to our writing soon.

SIS Bren

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Beth,
Thanks for the inquiry about the band. We are called Uptown. We do quite a variety of music and enjoy most of it which is a plus for me.

Our website is www.myspace.com/4uptown


We have a few samples of songs up there...they're sort of a rough cut, but just something to give you an idea.

I knew that writing was your passion...and it should be! You're so great at it!

SIS Bren

Elle J Rossi said...

Hi Bren,

At one time, singing was my passion too. I guess it still is although I don't get a chance to do it very often. Sure I could sing in my house for myself, but that doesn't quite do it. It's the high of seeing people watching and listening and knowing that I am entertaining them. It's the high of belting out harmonies with my sisters or singing country music with my friends.

Another passion is writing. I am fortunate that I'm able to pursue this. While I may not get to write as often as I like, I love knowing that my story is waiting for me.

As far as Uptown goes, I send you good vibes and great pipes. Matter of fact my good friend watched Idol last night and when Crystal sang Bobby McGee (sp?), she turned to her husband and said Barb's sister sounds like that only better. And she is so right!

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

Alyson Reuben said...

Hey, Bren, I just checked out your music site! You're awesome! Wish I could play an instrument. ANY instrument would be fine with me. My hubby plays keyboard, organ, piano, and picks a little on the guitar. I can sing a tiny bit, but the only thing I can pick is my nose. Yeah, I know... that was lame, wasn't it?

I really like Scott, too. He's got grit and determination. Anyone who strives so hard to overcome limitations and obstructions has my admiration.

My passions? Writing tops the list(reading goes hand in hand with it). Art is second. When I was fresh out of high school I almost enrolled in Indiana University's art class. Unfortunately, I chickened out when I saw the tough-butt competition. *sigh* So now I just paint and sketch for fun. Lately I've caught a mad fever for nail-art. It gives me a challenge to paint tiny pictures on my nails while I watch TV. Yeah, I know... sounds bizarre. But it works for me.

I also agree with you about Beth's passion - I fell in love with her writing style the second I picked up her first book. Wish I could borrow her wit and humor for a while. My writing tends to be too serious.

And it's not surprising that writing also tops Barb's list of passions. Her paranormal is fantastic! I feel like Miss-cheater-pants because I'm reading it before it's pubbed!

Alyson Reuben said...

Wow, I didn't realize how long that post was! Sorry I hogged so much space!

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Barb,

It makes me sad that you don't get to sing much anymore. I know how much you enjoy it and you are so incredibly talented!

I'm glad though, that you have found a new passion in writing. I hope it gives you pleasure for years to come.

Please tell your very good friend that I am so flattered that she thinks I sound that good. I think Crystal Bowersox from "Idol" has a tremendous talent and I have to admit, I almost cried when I read what you wrote.

SIS Bren

Elle J Rossi said...

Bren,

The compliment was well deserved! I only wish you lived closer so she could hear you sing more often.

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

Elle J Rossi said...

Miss Cheater Pants,

Thank you for the compliment and the laugh! I don't know what you're thinking. You're full of wit and humor, but I'm glad the writer in you likes the darker, serious side too. It makes for a very well rounded person.

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

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