A Morning of Gratitude and Becoming
I am deeply grateful for my loving girlfriend Amanda and her dad Greg. They treat me so well and truly feel like family for me here in Colorado. I love how Greg has been taking us to experiences that feel meaningful and alive—The Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and now Lindsey Stirling last night. Each one has been special in its own way.
The Lindsey Stirling show was incredible—so full of energy, sound, movement, and light. Watching her play the violin with such physicality, style, and grace was absolutely breathtaking. The dancers, drummer, and pianist/guitarist were all phenomenal too. I didn’t realize she is 39 years old and has been performing for over 15 years. That kind of longevity and evolution really inspires me.
Greg stopped by around 5 yesterday, and we hung out upstairs on the couch—right where I’m sitting now, writing this, with Pierre curled up next to me purring. We talked about the hot springs and seeing the lights on the party bus Sunday night. That was such a great experience too.
The last three days with Amanda have been wonderful. I feel blessed to be with someone who cares about making the most of our time together—creating memories, being present, and choosing experiences over distraction. As I write this, the sun is rising and casting a warm glow on Pikes Peak. Pierre is calm beside me. Life feels really good in this moment.
I’m planning to call my mom this morning, then check in with Maxim later and see about returning to working the three night shifts with my patient MPAR on weekends again. I’ve been thinking I could bring a small bag of painting supplies to work and paint during the quiet hours—maybe even do some pyrography too. I just want to make the most of my free time and pour it into my creative crafts each night.
My throat is feeling a bit better today, and I’m grateful for that. Going into this next year, I really want to be mindful of what I eat, when I eat, how I eat, and how much I eat. I want to take care of myself and create my own version of a Lindsey Stirling–type lifestyle—balanced, disciplined, expressive, and joyful.
Last night we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner, and Amanda and I split an Angus steak sandwich. We met Greg’s friend Justin and his daughter Katie. I ended up talking with Katie quite a bit about school at UCCS, playing in a brass band, and a Japan trip she’s planning with friends next year. The sandwich was more than enough for both of us—we didn’t even finish the fries. Greg paid for everything, like the sweetheart he is, and even ordered a blooming onion for the table.
It reminded me that I really don’t need huge portions of food. Sometimes less truly is more. I want to be a good example for Amanda in how I eat and take care of my body. I’ve noticed that bigger breakfasts and lunches, with lighter dinners, feel best for me—especially for keeping silent reflux calm and allowing my throat to fully heal.
After the concert, I was so inspired by Lindsey that I wanted to learn more about her and how she became such a powerful, multidimensional performer. I can see why the Broadmoor World Arena was packed—so many people want to experience her world. She mentioned that these Christmas tours are her favorite, and I believe it.
I’m going to follow her more closely and use her as an example for building my own unique creative world. I love how authentic she is—how she invites people in through movement, music, story, humor, vulnerability, and joy. She changed costumes multiple times throughout the performance, danced, flowed, used acrobatics, sang, and played with total presence.
She even shared that she was recovering from being sick and feeling a bit tired—but the energy and smiles of the audience revived her. I couldn’t tell at all. Her playing and performance were incredible. Amanda was emotional afterward because of how touching and powerful it was. Greg mentioned that he’s seen her before and that she’s grown even more since then. I love seeing such a strong example of a human being continuously evolving.
What really stayed with me was when Lindsey talked about how the best parts of her life are often the small moments—time with her crew backstage, quiet connections, the in-between spaces. That resonated deeply with me.
That’s what I want to create too—small, meaningful moments through my voice, my art, my properties, flow arts, DJing, presence, and someday through land and spaces where people can slow down and feel life more fully. I want to help people experience the beauty of both our inner and outer worlds here on Mother Earth.
This experience gave me renewed inspiration to keep going—with my health, my creativity, and my long-term vision. It reminded me that we can move through hard times and still bring out the best in ourselves and others.
I’m incredibly grateful for this life.
I am healthy, wealthy, free, peaceful, loving, caring, strong, special, powerful, rich, agile, intelligent, disciplined—and I choose to carry these qualities in my heart, mind, body, and soul as I move forward.
— Brendon Michael Habecker Connors
