Rocky Mountain High

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I don’t know about you but sometimes I can really get a committee going in my head. The committee sometimes makes good sense or helps me through a problem in a loving and encouraging way. But sometimes the committee speaks too loudly and makes no sense.

It likes to go on and on about dumb stuff and I just follow along, wimp like, victim like while it chastises me for various things. I didn’t do this or that good enough, or wow, how could I have reacted in that situation like that. On and on it goes, just making me feel bad.

Until I got the bright idea one day that I could just change the station in my head. Just like turning the knob to another radio station, I can switch off the bad thoughts and tune into another station. I mentally try one station- soft music- and in my head suddenly I am singing an old familiar 70’s song like yep, Rocky Mountain High. I saw John Denver in person once, the year before he died, and he performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. That was the first song he walked out on stage singing and I still get chills just thinking about it.

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So now my head is filled with glorious music and a stunning mountain vista, instead of those pesky, bothersome committee members.

If the song ends in my head, I can again switch the station. This time, I switch to the spiritual station. In the background I can feel the warmth of soft candles. My Higher Power is there, s(he) is engaging me in loving thoughts and encouragement. I am again bathed in a wash of light and happiness, grateful to be alive and ready for my next destination.

This takes some practice, but I am getting pretty good at switching stations. The committee is learning that it can’t sit there and complain and give me a hard time or the door will close to its room. I’ll be off and in another direction, content to find another, more happier place in which to hang out.

Thanks to my daughter Michelene for her stunning photos!

Where do you go (in your head!) for a change of scenery?

It's nice to share. Thank you.

15 Replies to “Rocky Mountain High”

  1. I too loved John Denver as I continue loving his music today. I can remember taking a trip in high school form Georgia out to Colorado. It was a Young Life youth group trip out to the Young life camp nestled in the Rocky Mountains. I can remember when the bus finally pulled into sight of those beautiful majestic mountains that all of us onboard the bus broke out singing John Denver’s immortal tribute—“Rocky Mountain High, Colorado”…………thank you for bringing such wonderful memories to mind Joanne—blessings to you this day…..Julie

  2. Beautiful pictures! My niece just moved to Ft. Collins Colorado, so I am sure we will be making a trip there when things calm down here! Where is my ‘happy place’? Not sure, but like you I counter the negative thoughts with positive ones!
    What a great post!

  3. We WILL get perfect at it, Joanne. I’m learning to switch all the time, and it’s getting a bit easier. Oh, I always liked John Denver, too.

    Blessings for a great day, and clear tuning in,
    Marianne xo

  4. What a wonderful post, Joanne! My committee used to be very loud! Over time, I realized the chairman was my dad. I’ve worked very hard at evicting him. I love your idea of changing stations – a perfect visual! 🙂

  5. Like you, Joanne, I have a committee, too. However, as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to adjourn it. It doesn’t always work, and sometimes I have to bring down the gavel several times (I’m the CEO). Music helps drown them out, and so does walking and breathing deeply and smiling at neighbors and kids playing. John Denver’s “Rocky Mtn. High” as taken on joke-quality now that our state has legalized marijuana, but enough counties are refusing it that the joke is changing focus.

    Michelene’s photos are beautiful!

    1. Hi Marylin! I like that you said you are the CEO. I have to remember that. 🙂
      Glad you liked the photos!
      I wondered many times about John Denver and that song but I love it anyway…
      Blessings, Joanne

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