My late sister, Nancy, once said I lived in my own little fantasy world, and I did. I sometimes would draw and color the Superman symbol, safety pin it to one of Nancy\u2019s baby doll blankets, and run around the house and yard, fly off the front porch, and defeat many an adversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was very involved in my Southern Baptist church. And let me tell you, the judgmental caricature of Southern Baptists doesn\u2019t fit all Southern Baptists. I had great experiences from my church life. My pastors, my music and youth ministers, and my Sunday School teachers were kind and caring. I rarely heard fire-and-brimstone sermons and those were from guest preachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My music and youth minister in junior high, the late Lonn Oswalt was a student at Mississippi College. Lonn introduced me to so many styles of religious music, from classical anthems to the emerging seed of what is now called \u201cChristian contemporary\u201d music. Once he said to me, \u201cBe ready at 6 pm. I\u2019m taking you to a concert to hear a group I think you\u2019ll love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night I was introduced to more than a few Southern Gospel groups, most importantly the Oak Ridge Boys. I was hooked. I dreamed that one day I\u2019d sing with The Oaks. I did, but only by singing along to their 8-tracks, albums, and CDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In college (William Carey College, now University) my voice and worship teacher, Dr. Cleamon Downs, was a huge inspiration for me. He was a serious intellectual and was also cool and fun. I\u2019ll always remember the time in a voice lesson Cleamon picked up a \u201cfuneral fan\u201d with Jesus\u2019 image on it, fanned himself, and said, \u201cI\u2019m a Jesus fan!\u201d Cleamon taught me how to write meaningful \u201chigh church\u201d liturgy for worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two major music inspirations for me I found in college as well. My father and I had a bit of a contentious relationship. Cat Steven\u2019s Father & Son<\/em> vicariously helped me voice my hurts and frustrations. Neil Diamond\u2019s soundtrack from Jonathan Livingston Seagull<\/em> and the book facilitated my introduction to existential experiences. I still read that book every year and listen to the soundtrack from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The poetry and writings of my friend Ragan Courtney and the music of his Grammy\u00ae winning wife, Cynthia Clawson have inspired me for decades. I could never thank them enough for the joy and soul-peace they have given me through the decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was introduced to the writings of the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, around 1991. The Essential Rumi<\/em>, translated by Coleman Barks, has been of unlimited inspiration to me. My copy is marked up like Mama\u2019s Bible. I\u2019ve read it throughout my adult life and continue to do so. It centers me and keeps me connected with my spirit of calm and love. Along those lines A Path with Heart<\/em>, by Buddhist priest, Jack Kornfield, changed my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s more, but I\u2019ve run out of my allotted words. Therefore this is part one of a two-part piece. I ask you to start making a list of the things that have inspired you throughout life. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have a special someone in your life, consider talking with them about it. I think that just might deepen your intimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026and that\u2019s the View from The Balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AdobeStock_inspiration-copy-2-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\")
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