Yeah, I admit it. I write love songs.

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Over the years I have listened to my fair share of love songs. I love songs that can take you to a feeling you have felt before and make you feel it all over again. Do you know what I mean? Sure you do. They are feelings we have all felt.

I have written a few too. I wrote my wedding song and 4 or 5 more for my wife over the years. I was playing my guitar this evening trying to remember some of the ones I have written. I have a couple of favorites out of the bunch. Some still need some work, but it was that thought that counted.

In 2007 a friend of mine, Ryan, was getting married. He and his bride to be, Chelsea, were discussing what music should be played at their wedding. I was to be the best man, so I had an interest in what they picked. She is beyond musically talented. So, I suggested that she write her song. She kinda laughed it off, until she was riffing on the piano and I asked her to play a section again. I sang a couple lines from a chorus I came up with while she was playing. A really good song ensued.

She later sent me an email telling me what kind of things she wanted to say in the song. I took her suggestions and ran with them. Together We Will Go is a song I am very proud of. Chelsea wrote the piano part and I wrote the words and supplied the melody. We took the song to a recording studio where she recorded the piano track. I was able to use the track she made to sing at the wedding. It was very cool to have the bride playing the piano, while at the same time standing at the front with her groom.

It was an easy song to write. Granted, most of the thoughts that are expressed in it are feelings I have for Marixa, so I was writing from the heart.

Check the song out and let me know what you think. I really like this tune.

01 Together We Will Go

It is never too late…

~ David Willis ~ 2 Comments

I read a phrase recently that struck me: It is never too late to be who you might have been. I read this in an article that was written by Mark Batterson about goal setting. It is worth taking a few minutes to download and review. It jumped off the page and hit me over the head…in a good way.

Mark is the pastor of a vibrant church in the Washington DC area. This line is one of the church’s core values. It is never too late to be who you might have become. That means that no matter how much time has gone by, you can still move toward a worthy dream. The dream may look a little different than it did when you first dreamed it, but it is worth pursuing all the same. The dream leads you to be more of who you really are.

An example from my life. My Grandma Willis was in her later 50s when she went back and got her art degree. She was quite the artist and quite the woman from what I remember and the stories I have been told. It was a proud day for her when she accomplished it. She achieved a dream that many people would have though her too old to have. She didn’t give it up. There are pieces of her art hanging in my parent’s house. I, for one, am glad she didn’t give up the dream. The paintings that she left behind are a reminder to not give up. That inspires me.

How about you? What dream have you been holding on to? Has it been in you, dormant for years? Maybe it is time to dust it off. Is there a goal you have wanted to achieve? Maybe it is time to hold it in your hand.

It is never too late to be who you might have become. Best start today.

How often do we fail to notice the important things?

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

I have a confession to make. I am an avid book collector. I love books. However, I have not been reading all the books I buy. This is something I am doing my best to rectify. I would rather be an avid reader. To that end, I have a goal for this year: Read (or listen to) 60 books. (My goal was orginally 35, but I have already made it through 18 this year.)

The last book I read was The Noticer by Andy Andrews. This is an amazing book. I read it in two sittings. Could have read it in one, but I started it at 11:30 one night. Anyway. It is a story about how a man named Jones (not Mr. Jones as he tells people) was able to help people take a fresh look at their lives by noticing things and helping them gain perspective. By the books end, Jones has made an impact on a whole community just by paying attention to people and helping them see better.

One of the characters in the book finds himself homeless, living under a pier. His parents are dead and he has no money. He is doubtful about his future and is bitter. Enter Jones. Jones talks with him about many things. One of the things that Jones suggests to the character is that he needs to read. What specifically? Biographies of great individuals. Winston Churchill, George Washington Carver, Joan of Arc, etc. Jones points out that by learning what made these people great, we can become great ourselves.

This made me think of a quote I heard a while back. Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said this:

You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things, the books you read and the people you meet.

This is one of the reasons I love books as much as I do. I know that I am not a finished product. I need the wisdom of others to speak into my life and help me grow. The Noticer is a great read. It is a great reminder to take a step back when difficulties arise and look at the big picture so that perspective can be gained.

What good books have you read lately? What lessons are you learning?

 

The power of choice.

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

I looked in the mirror not too long ago and was disgusted with what I saw. I weighed over 280 pounds. My face was puffy. I felt horrible. I looked horrible. It felt like it was something I couldn’t control.

This was taken in the summer of 2009. I have gained a couple of pounds since then, but am still over 40 pounds lighter than the big guy on the right.

We all know that this is not the truth. One of our most basic freedoms is the freedom to choose. I had the freedom to stop putting bad food in my mouth. I also had the freedom to exercise like a maniac, though I wasn’t. The problem was this: It was something I couldn’t control then, because I thought I couldn’t control it. Perception became reality.

Then, one day I woke up. Somewhere deep inside I made the choice to change. I am 40 pounds lighter now, and I am still a work in progress. I know that if I want to make the long term goal I have set I have to break it down into smaller goals. What I want to do five years from now is affected by what I do today. So, I simply have to make sure I have a goal for today. That goal has to be a part of my goal for the week, which are a part of my goals for the month, for the year, and for five years out. If I choose to what is right today, I can choose the same tomorrow and for the time to come. The goal will become a reality.

I am proof of this. I look in the mirror now and then back at pictures of me from then. The power of choice is quite evident.

Good is out there.

~ David Willis ~ 2 Comments

If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know this about me: I love food. I enjoy cooking very much. There are times when you get home after a long day at work though that you just have to jump in the car and go in search of someone else to fix your evening meal. Know what I mean?

Marixa and I enjoy finding new places to eat. I have a soft spot for mom and pop establishments. I want to find our local ones that are doing a good job and support them. Their food is usually better, and sometimes even better for you. Many use fresh local ingredients and don’t have a ton of overhead to worry about for their business so they can keep the food items reasonably priced.

Not to long ago we tried a new hamburger joint right around the corner from our neighborhood. It had been a donut shop previously and I was happy to see something a little less greasy go in in it’s place. We were pleased with the service and the food was good. The owner of the establishment seemed very eager and I hope his business does well. Time will tell if he makes it, but it seems like he wants it to.

On the recommendation of a couple we know from church, we tried an authentic Mexican place in Oklahoma City. I am not sure if they have a heater/AC in the place. We went in just after it had snowed and it was definitely cold in the place. My first impression was not all that positive. But, they brought the food out and I forgot all about it. The tacos and tamales were awesome. The prices were awesome. Have been back to have more good food since. The good far outweighed the bad.

Ok. Two success stories unfortunately pave the way for a FAIL story. We tried a little Mexican restaurant in town this evening. IIt is a small space that will only seat less than 40 comfortably and looked inviting. We went in expecting for it to be good. We had built up anticipation that it was going to be great. Marixa got chicken enchiladas. I had chicken nachos. I was very disappointed. It wasn’t even average. It was awful. The queso was curdled. The chicken had no seasoning. I asked the waitress what kind of cheese the queso was made out of to which she replied, “I don’t know.” She turned and walked away. I am glad we tried the place, but I am disappointed it wasn’t what we expected.

Even though we didn’t enjoy the meal we had tonight, my desire to explore new places is not put out. Every once in a while we are going to find a dud when we are looking for new things that will bring excitement and joy to our lives. One bad experience will not keep me from wanting to experience. This is true with restaurants and with all areas in life. The good is out there. I just have to keep looking.