One Moment In Time

West Prong Trail - GSMNP

February 9, 2012

 Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heart beat away
And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be, I will be, I will be free, I will be, I will be free

With all my heart, I hope that you have had many moments in time when you were more than you thought you could be and all of your dreams were only a heartbeat away.  Whitney Houston, I would imagine, lived many years knowing that all of her dreams HAD come true, yet I also suspect that her race with destiny wasn't in a direction she had the strength to control and that only in death, is she truly, truly free.  

 

It is almost impossible to pick out a favorite Whitney Houston song.  I turned 30 in 1985, the year her first album was released that produced three #1 singles.  I've belted every one of them out in the shower, in my car and anywhere else the mood struck.  But would I have ever, for even one moment in time wanted to BE Whitney Houston or any kind of celebrity for that matter.  Never - not once!!  My dreams were always a whole lot simpler and the moments in which I was more than I thought I could be never involved performing or large crowds of "fans."  

But I am free.  I'm racing with destiny and it's a race I want to continue embracing with anticipation and excitement.  I'm growing, I'm learning and most importantly, I am surrounded by people who love me and want the best for me.  People who are not afraid to tell me "no" and who will gently remind me when there are changes I need to consider.  People who remind me that I'm not perfect and that we are all created equal with no one person better than any other no matter whether we sing about our moments in time in the shower or in front of millions.

Wouldn't it be nice if things were always as neatly packaged as they are in a song that is wrapped up in 2 1/2 to 3 minutes?  Are "the answers all up to me?"  I suppose the FINAL answer ultimately always is, but we all know that things are rarely that cut and dried.  I am 24 hours past my first major challenge since beginning the 17-Day Diet on November 25.  Now rest assured, I've had many challenges, but this was the first one I approached with so much uncertainty.   We traditionally attend a Valentine's Day party given by good friends.  We have dinner, play games and laugh until we make ourselves sick.  It is huge fun time and something I look forward to every year.  But the dinner is lavish and every imaginable kind of chocolate flows freely.  As late as Wednesday evening, I was asking our host about dinner and her response was still, "I don't know yet."  Thankfully, I am past the point of the chocolate/candy/cupcakes being a distraction (although I'll admit, it was my most difficult evening yet), but having no idea what was being served for dinner had me wishing I could stay home.  I'm happy to say that dinner was delicious and there were several things I was free to eat in unlimited amounts.  And again, I was reminded how grateful I am for friends whom I really should trust more because at that moment in time, our hosts, who knew about my new eating lifestyle, came through with some delicious menu items that everyone enjoyed and I truly appreciated.

But ultimately, most of the answers are up to me and the choices I make contribute to that race with destiny.  I want to make choices in all of life which lead me to be more than I ever thought I could be.  I want to respect and honor the talent, beauty and gifts of Whitney Houston.  And not just for ONE Moment in Time, but for every last one of my remaining moments in time, I choose to be free!

What is your favorite Whitney Houston song?