On the road again….
You may have seen my recent buzz of tweets and photo posts.
Those were from my recent trip to the not-so-wild-anymore West to share music at a
Roaring Twenties themed Valentine Dinner with our friends at the
Cross Creek Church in Lebanon, Missouri.

We had a fabulous time!
The evening’s festivities were held at The Mighty Oak,
a beautiful venue, lovingly crafted out of majestic oaks and cedars.
It was quite a fitting setting for our Roaring Twenties Valentine occasion.
Thanks to great food, Holmes’ musical selections and my crooning, the evening was
delightfully enjoyed, with some lighthearted souls even gracing the dance floor!

Thanks for welcoming us to Lebanon and into your hearts!
Special thanks to our right hand assistant, Russell,
who carefully and jovially helped with  mic cords and equipment toting.
We appreciate you, Russell!

Our trip didn’t end there!
We also moseyed into Tulsa, Oklahoma.
There we were guests of Rev. Andrea Whyte and the International Gospel Center,
founded by the venerable Drs. TL & Daisy Osborn.
Senior Pastor, Dr. Chyanna Mull-Anthony, graciously opened their doors to host our
Jazz …with The Spirit program.
That performance was intimate and greatly enjoyed by those few who attended.
Thanks Dr. Chy for welcoming us to IGC!

We rounded out the trip with precious time spent with old friends,
Andrea, Karen and Debbie, a well as our new friend, Jen.
Remember we’re looking forward to seeing you guys out East!!

And here’s a nugget – you never know if the last time you saw someone will be THE LAST TIME.
Make it count… say what’s important and omit what’s not.

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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Who’s been watching the US Football (not real Football – the US Football) Playoffs?
(And I know I’ll be in hot water in some quarters for that quip.)

I must admit that I’ve been mesmerized.
The Carolina Panthers has taken its brand so far these past few years
that they are practically unrecognizable.
Hats off to you guys!
And who knew the Arizona Cardinals had that much going for them?
Kudos, gentlemen!
Someone did.  Someone knew.  And that someone helped them to unlock that potential.

Potential….  That’s the stuff we all have in spades.
The task is to unlock, trust yourself, build it and reveal it.
Remember to build on it.  It may not be ready for the public in its natural state.  But we each must trust enough that we have that gift to work at it, feed it, build on it, till it’s at the point of growth that we can now reveal it, use it and share it.

So whatever YOUR gift, whatever YOUR potential… don’t take it with you!

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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So my Tour of Listening Parties is on the radar.   These will be planned in clusters according to invitations and correlated schedules.  Anyone hosting a Listening Party will simply need a home or other venue to which 10-20 persons are invited to listen, meet, greet and possibly purchase CDs for a brief program that will last for approximately an hour with finger food snacks.
If you would like to host a Listening Party, don’t be shy.

Hit me up on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherylinsong, or
Send me an email: cherylinsong.com@gmail.com

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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 There are some really savvy marketers who keep sending spam messages to myriad websites, offering to help ones site to “go viral”.  They speak in such understanding language: “If you’re too lazy to write regular posts….”  You get my drift, don’t you?!  Yes, I’ve not been burning up the tarmac with stellar blog inputs.  But I have never been, am not now, and … hopefully… never will be a person that can fairly be termed “lazy.”

Life overwhelms us all at times and in different seasons varying items on our list of priorities will shift to or from the forefront.  It’s just life.  We just have to deal with it… and with the fallout that comes from times of possible inattention.

So I’ve been on the road for some performances and a bit under the weather but pushing ahead.  Only the Father knows when our number’s up; I’m just planning to be ready.

So should you….

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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Hello Jamaica!!

I’m heading home to sing for you… more on that later.

I look forward to sharing with my Jamaican posse all the wonderful music that maestro
Jon Williams (Kingston, Jamaica) has helped me to create.

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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 An Indie activity… A Listening Party Promotional Tour

As many of you know, I am what’s called an Indie –Independent– performer, with no formal representation.  One of the things we Indies do to promote our music is a non-traditional promotional tour, hosted by a series of friends in their homes: Listening Parties is what they’re called.  It’s an informal way of bringing your music directly to your audience, allowing them a chance to listen, like, love and hopefully buy your music.

I will be embarking on a Listening Party Promotional Tour for my recent album,
Cheryl …in Hymns.

The songs on that release always get great reception and I receive fabulous feedback.
So we’re taking it to the streets!
Listen out for us in a home near you.

Meanwhile, you can listen to previews at the link below:

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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This week so many of the old songs have been bubbling up in my spirit:
I anticipate the inevitable supernatural intervention of God…
I expect a miracle!

And this one by Pastor, Dr. Helena Barrington:
I’ll obey the Lord; how about you?
I’ll do all the things that He wants me to;
Joshua did what the Father said and the walls came down;
David did what the Father said and the giant fell;
Daniel did what the Father said and the lions slept;
Cos if I do what the Father says, I will overcome!

Great messages to encourage us as we strive to run the race with patience and endurance;
pressing on to the Goal….

www.cherylinsong.com/cheryl-in-hymns

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Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

Do you like yourself? Frankly, sometimes I don’t. I get frustrated with my weaker points…especially when they repeat in a brief span of time. Do you? At times I am encouraged by the Father to overcome. At other times, He tells me “forgive”. So, I’d like to pass that along. You know the times that you’re just “romping in trash” and need to buck up and do right. You need to be aware that there are times you need to “Forgive.” Walk good….

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Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns.

Soaring… Huh?! One of my favorite songs is Donnie McClurkin’s We Fall Down.  The lyrics run… “We fall down; we get up; for a saint is just a sinner who fell down, and got up.” Another is Don Francisco’s I’ll Never Let Go of Your Hand. His lyrics are: “Even when you do it wrong and miss the joy I’ve planned, I’ll never, never, ever let go of your hand.”

Both tell us that we’re going to fall, fail, let ourselves down, let others down… at some point. Everything will not always be plain sailing. That’s the truth. [An aside: I once chartered a sail down the Hudson; the contract was for a sail to Haverstraw Pier and back to Peekskill Bay. Well, we never made it out of Peekskill Bay. It was still a lovely afternoon sail; we just went nowhere but floundered around the Bay for the better part of 3 hours. I tipped the guy as we left the boat. Why? Because we enjoyed the afternoon even though we went nowhere.] Sometimes the journey, not the destination, is the joy. So, WHEN – not IF – but WHEN we fail or fall, focus on getting back up as quickly as we can and get back to the journey. Happy sailing everyone!

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Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

We’ve been talking in the past few weeks about soaring to new heights. To recap: (1) Lay aside weights whether they are frivolous distractions or a perfectionist streak that has us never being satisfied. (2) Acknowledge and de-fang our weaknesses (3) Run well with goal in mind and being patient with ourselves and with others. Just a note about that goal – a Mentor helps with our goal setting. Having someone to look up to will aid in deciding on our journey and target destination. An important target destination for me is that story I know God wrote for my life before I was even born. It may be a bit hard to come up with the Chapters, but I believe He wrote the story within me. So as I search my heart for the things I do best and find greatest passion in doing, those are most likely the Chapters He wrote for my life story. Blessings as you discover your own Chapters….

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Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

One important note… as we run, let’s not just be patient with others; let’s also be patient with ourselves.

No, we’re not going to wallow in mediocrity. But God knows we’re working with broken vessels. That’s why He grants us the gift of repentance; the opportunity to turn, to change, to renew…. When we no longer feel that impulse, then we’re really in serious trouble. But till then, I like how Paul puts it… let’s “make every effort…” to get it right. And be patient with ourselves when we don’t.

Did you THINK you were perfect?!

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Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

Soaring…

As you run, keep in focus your ultimate goal. It’s not just about making money, or being successful by this world’s so-called standards (standards don’t usually change daily). I’m learning begrudgingly that it’s more about having eternal perspective. Working for more than just today; more than just this side of eternity. So really, our ultimate goal should be about accomplishing God’s purpose for our span on the Globe. Run… and run well!

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Ready to soar?! Then let’s prepare…. First, put aside every weight. Second, deal with the weaknesses that repeatedly defeat us. Third… RUN!!! Run and run well…. Patiently deal with the obstacles; don’t let them defeat your spirit. Patiently deal with your insecurities; don’t let THEM defeat you. And patiently deal with the naysayers; DO NOT let them defeat you. Run and run well….

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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Climb every mountain…. There’s an insatiable appetite of humankind: to climb every mountain ahead, for no other reason than just because it’s there. No problem, man! Just break the problem down to size. And take it step by step. We can do this; just take it in stages and then work your plan….

Click here to preview my latest release: Cheryl …in Hymns

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Ready to soar?! Then let’s prepare…. First, put aside every weight. Now that may be somewhat frivolous, like a fancy ‘do for a sprinter that makes her beautiful, but adds 2lbs of hair that weighs her down and diminishes her performance. Or it may be that penchant for absolute perfection. A commendable trait, but one that can put us in a critical bind, never being satisfied, so nothing is ever good enough, never acceptable. So we find ourselves always fixing something else, making it better and better… but nothing ever gets FINISHED. Without completion, the pride of our perfectly unfinished project is hollow compared to the satisfaction of having an end and moving to the next new task. Or how about that old bugaboo,fear… disguised as insecurity? “I’m not good enough!” “S/He is better than I.” (Yes, that is correct grammar smile emoticon ) That’s actually very similar to the perfection bind. My advice? If you are passionate about doing something, then go do it. Give to the task what is (uniquely) inside you. That’s the best you can do…. So, in conclusion, when you get the chance… SOAR!!

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Up, up and away!! Time to turn our backs on naysayers and negative persons. Time to look ahead; to think optimistically and believe in good things for yourself. Time to expect great things. Here’s looking at you kid….

(Cheryl pictured here with one of the best Motivational Speakers, D. Anthony Williamson, when he delivered the IPMI Keynote Address in Queens, New York, USA, November 2014)

Click here to preview samples from Cheryl …in Hymns

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For many of us life’s journey has become mundane and lackluster.  We need a trip back …to move into our future.  It’s a trip back to our first love; to recall and recover the joie de vivre –  the JOY we used to find in our chosen vocation… journey… relationship… or project; to recall and recover the VISION with which we began our chosen vocation… journey… relationship… or project; to recall and recover the PURPOSE and PASSION that drove us to our chosen vocation… journey… relationship… or project.

Here’s hoping for clear paths as you make the journey back …to embrace your future!

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Each December 31, we rejoice at the prospect of a fresh start.  But the wonderful thing is that we can have that each day!!  The heavenly Father’s promise is that His mercies towards us are renewed every morning.  Having a clean slate from the Higher Up each morning is a great relief to me, I can tell you!  So have a marvelous start to your 2015 and let’s hope the months to follow take us all higher and further than ever before….

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As we seek to build healthy relationships, we study God’s Word so we may know how to overcome sin, relinquish the selfish desire for control, relate to others within God’s order and boundaries, so we can live righteous lives without fear but experience God’s true freedom!!

Remember that gift packaging is available for your online purchases of my music.  We look forward to delighting your family & friends… with music!

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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Well, we are firmly into the Christmas buying season.  That seems to have started at the beginning of October!  I have never been a great fan of the commercialization of Christmas and am loath to change.  Nevertheless, my new release,

“Cheryl …in Hymns” will be available for purchase from this website, gift packaged and delivered directly to your gift recipient.  This 14-track album is a compilation of contemporized hymnal favorites that meets with great responses wherever it is performed. Check out the samples at the link below and be sure to tell your friends.

And… Happy Thanksgiving!!

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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Who are the newly married among us?  Here’s a simple but valuable lesson that may actually be applied to other life circumstances.

For our first wedding anniversary, Holmes & I found ourselves stumbling over each other to make the day really, really, special.  But nothing either of us did or thought of seemed to be enough; not special enough, or good enough.  Just nothing we thought of seemed to be ENOUGH!  We were about to fall into a miserable argument about lack of planning and lack of awareness of the momentous occasion…. Then we took a step back and realized that in both our minds we had built this milestone up to such proportions that NOTHING indeed would ever have been ENOUGH.  So, we simply thanked God for a good first year of marriage and took a drive across to Atlantic City to walk the Boardwalk, hang out in the arcades, watch folks win & lose money on the tables and just generally take it down a couple notches.  Since then, AC has kind of been a bit of simplicity for that special occasion, when we just give thanks for another year.  Maybe we’ll have a family celebration when we make #10!

So, if you find yourself stumped at how to make a grand occasion really special, remember to first give thanks to the Almighty for the grace to make it thru; then just acknowledge it in some special way – it doesn’t have to be bank-breaking – and be happy!

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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While visiting friends in the Florida Everglades, I was invited to share some songs at two very special events.  The first was a Food Pantry operated by Mr. Desmond Harriott, a true stalwart in ministry, every Saturday morning for over twenty years!  With his church, Desmond also runs a breakfast for High School Football players each Saturday morning during Football season.   It was a privilege to share a few Jazz and Inspirational numbers and to extrapolate some life lessons for the Players.  Let’s hope they take every nugget that may be gained from these powerful life sessions!

Enjoy some of the powerful lessons in the 14 tracks of wonderful hymnal favorites on my latest CD, Cheryl …in Hymns.  Check out the samples at the link below:

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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We just returned from a whirlwind trip to visit with several friends.  It was a wonderful time of reconnecting, sharing and receiving.  That’s something we all need to do sometimes: step back from the everyday and reconnect with our basic human need for each other; to reach out and touch.  How about doing that today in some small way; disconnect from the everyday and call an old friend for a short or long chat.  Just to connect; not for a favor or anything material, but just to connect.

And while you’re connecting, check out Cheryl …in Hymns!

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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My first singing competition was on an amphitheatre stage in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  I remember clearly that I wore a calf length, lime green dress, which I’d bougidt for the occasion.  Looking back on the outfit, I know my friend, Nerissa, would have said: “Don’t let it taper at the calf, Cheryl; Below the calf or above the knee!

Most Montegonians will remember the amphitheatre: it sat in an awkward position, in the middle of a busy traffic circle and somehow seemed a good idea to the Town Planners of that time.  It’s still in use, I believe, but is not such a beehive of traffic activity as it once was.  This is partly because it also sat a stone’s throw from the sea, which has now greatly receded creating far more land around the amphitheatre than when it was originally built.  There was also a beautiful little public beach nearby, commonly called Giggy Beach, and other less flattering names.  That beach is now quite a hum of commercial activity.  I enjoyed a wonderful steamed fish dinner there during my return home celebrations after being away studying for an extended period.

Well, that was the scene setting for my first serious foray into music, apart from school choirs.  Very scenic and quite memorable. But I’ve sung in more scenic places.  Some other time I’ll tell you about that.

Right now it’s time for you to click the link below and listen to the samples from my exciting new album, “Cheryl …in Hymns”.  If you already have your own copy, you’re excused from listening to the samples. But this next step is crucial: Just click on the Contact button, and leave me a little note about how you liked our styling of the Hymns.  I would really love to hear from you. So leave a comment and let me hear those three little words: “You’ve Got Maill!” (Great movie, BTW!)

Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

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In 1996, I took a year’s sabbatical from a demanding and stressful sales career.  Much of that year was spent on the idyllic beaches of Jamaica, with friends in the Palm Beaches and exploring the rest of Florida.  I also spent that year using music to replenish my withered psyche and delving into my musical interests.

It was during that period I first explored contemporization of beloved hymnal favorites.   Well, while that initial rough draft is a far cry from it,  those early forays have eventually led to my latest release, Cheryl …in Hymns.  If you haven’t yet heard it, I invite you to listen to some samples from the album at the following link:Listen to Samples of Cheryl …in Hymns

Then visit the comment/contact page and let me have your feedback. And of course, be sure to tell a friend!

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I’m still working hard on my secret project.  Next in line I will be working with an old and talented friend, Alex Martin-Blanken, on a Worship Reverie.  Alex and I have been collaborating for many years, including a regular Jazz and R&B Cabaret slot that we greatly enjoyed doing for several years.  It will be a delight to work alongside Alex again and I greatly look forward to doing so.

You should be looking forward to sharing the Worship Reverie once its production is complete.  Meanwhile, we each need to find a way for other meditative and  replenishing moments. Our bodies, souls, minds and spirits certainly need it.  Let’s make the time….

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Wow!  How the summer has flown by.  It’s hard to believe that already we are almost at the end of August.  How much of your summer list did you manage to accomplish?  Mine has been revised so many times that it’s pretty much moot!  But I did release Cheryl …in Hymns; now you just need to buy it!  And on to the next season….

Let’s focus forward; not on regrets but on what we can make right, make better, make even great.  Hope planning and execution for you and me improve for the rest of 2014.

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So Cheryl …in Hymns is now available.  Many persons have already bought copies at various performances and other opportunities over the past few weeks.  And you need to get your copy too!  So get to the website and place an order now.

To hear a sample from the album Cheryl …in Hymns, click the link below:

http://cherylinsong.com/cheryl-in-hymns/

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This waiting period has me in mind of the imagery of a duck floating on a still pond.  Looking from above, the duck appears to be effortlessly still, just gliding.  But looking from below, its feet are moving at breakneck speeds to keep that upper illusion complete.  That’s kind of how this feels.  Breakneck activity going on… unseen, to produce that effortless gracefulness of the finished product!  Rest assured, these ducks are working really hard!!   May all of our busyness also produce graceful finished product.   Blessings!

Meanwhile, take a look at the preview of what is to come & enjoy the sample below.

What A Friend  from the Album: Cheryl …in Hymns (sample)

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What A Friend  from the Album: Cheryl …in Hymns (sample

I was blessed to share a cut from my new album with audiences at two performances last week. What A Friend We Have In Jesus, as revisited from the hearts of Cheryl & Jon surely never ever sounded like that! The audience was blown away! You will absolutely love it. Sorry my promised preview is a tad delayed; you can partly blame a lousy wifi connection.  You know how technology can be.

So patience is a virtue and this is your reward.  Click below to hear the sample of Jon & my rendition of the revered gospel standard, What A Friend.  And be sure to hit up the contacts page to let me have your reviews.  Is that a date?  I look forward to hearing from you.

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Well, I’m finally finished!  …with my part, that is.  Now it’s up to my trusty co-producer to mix to his heart’s content.  I will be sharing a sample with you soon, once we have all the copyrights and licensing straightened out.  So excited…!!!

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Still working at it… and yes, still almost there.  Throughout the process, I’ve been revisiting old favorites that my Mom & Dad loved.  Fairest, Lord Jesus is one of them.  Such beautiful, time honored lyrics – Jesus is fairer… purer, than all the angels heaven can boast!  And O Brother Man, my mother’s favorite hymn: ”Let your smile be a hymn and your prayer be a kindly deed.”  Truly advocating that we live our faith more than speak it.

Each time I hear or sing one of them in its traditional version I’m excited all over again to share this collection.  So, hang in there… it’s almost ready!

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I’m still almost there….  It is such a fulfilling act to create music that I believe will be enjoyable to others.  I am just so excited to get the production over, release this album and move on to create the next project.

Yes, I missed deadline.  And I feel like I’m on a weird countdown – 3, 2, 1 3/4, 1 1/2, 1 1/3….  But it is almost done.  And it will be great!!

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I’m almost at the Finish Line!! This album of Hymns is going to be great; can’t wait for you all to hear it.

Been in the studio constantly.  Sleeping and eating are but a distant memory.  Move over Weight Watchers  Look out skinny jeans!

Well, to be truthful, I did surface long enough to have a delightful Easter Dinner courtesy of Chef Nicole, et al.   And the entertainment was a game of Black History Trivia.  That was an eye opener; hardest game I think I ever played.  Of course our team won; thanks to the young brains on the Team.

—————– ### —————– We’re almost there!  On my recent studio trip to work with the ultra-talented Mr. Jon Williams of Almond Production Studios in Jamaica, we had very successful sessions.  [I also stuffed myself with delectable fruit - mangoes, naseberries & starapples - courtesy of Celia, and sneaked in some beach time, thanks to Gabs & Patrice. Thanks also to Suz for hosting my stay.]

Back at work, Jon and my creative juices melded excitingly and I look forward to bringing you the final product in another few weeks.  Surely you can see how exhausted we are in this pic! I’m looking so bedraggled, having ingested lipstick and glowed makeup away…. Anyhooo… Pre-orders for Cheryl …in Hymns are now being accepted; just go to the Music Shop page or send me an email: cherylinsong.com@gmail.com

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Years ago, one of my closest friends would tease me for saying each morning, “I’ve got to start the day!”  She thought it was tantamount to making a Creator-like statement. Well, I still think about “starting” the day; as if it begins only when I say I’m ready.  But I’m not a typical morning person.  That privilege is reserved for fortunate souls like my husband, who rises without fail a few minutes before he planned to, and all without the aid of an alarm.  He  usually emits a yawn that would have substituted for Paul Revere and leaps to his feet, fully awake in a split second. What’s it like for me?  I struggle to semi-consciousness, thankful for another chance to get things right.  Then I negotiate my way to full consciousness… very slowly.   That’s how I start the day…. How about you?