Zig Ziglar said, “The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.” He also said, “Among the things you can give and keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.”
As a new 11th grade high school violin student arriving second semester at the North Carolina School of the Arts, NCSA, in Winston-Salem, I attended my first music theory class on my first day of school. The teacher told me, “There’s no way you’re going to pass my class!” After school that day, I was pretty depressed and went back to the dorm. That was the day I met my neighbor, Lois Artis, a wonderful trombonist, wonderful academic student, with a positive motivating attitude, always willing to help others. We talked for a few minutes and I told him what the teacher had told me. Lois replied, “I’ll help you and you’ll do well in her music theory class.”
Lois patiently helped me understand the material while doing the laundry, so I did well in the class! She knew, even at that young age, how to “uplift” others to realize her potential. She was a leader even in high school and knew how to build a team. I will always be grateful for her help.
In Mr. S’s NCSA high school English class, I met Bruce Lemerise, an excellent artist and illustrator with a brilliant mind. We enjoyed discussing the assigned Shakespeare books and plays that we read for the class and our collaboration produced the best grades in this class.
We discussed the psychological dimensions of the characters and wrote reflective articles about our discussions. Bruce went on to study art in New York City and I went to the Juilliard School and we continued our friendship and conversations about books, art, music and theater.
When I played my graduate recitals at Juilliard, Bruce said, “The way you walk on and off stage is really important.” So he made sure I practiced walking on and off stage with my shoulders back and my head held high and balanced on my spine, walking with my viola and my music. He also had a friend who did stage makeup show me how I should properly do stage makeup. Bruce knew how important first impressions were and he wanted me to make a great one.
Bruce later worked as an illustrator/artist for Pepperidge Farm, Nestlé’s, Ogilvy & Mather, Avon, Durkee Spices, MGM/UA, Western Publishing, Woman’s Day, Ogilvy & Mather, Country Time Lemonade, and other companies. He made Broadway posters and greeting cards.
Bruce Lemerise also wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Sheldon’s Lunch” dedicated to his mother, Marie Lemerise. He illustrated A Golden Book, “Can I get there from my room?” and “The Big Golden Little Book of Funny Poems.” Bruce sent copies of these books for my children to enjoy.
In 1988 Bruce Lemerise died. He was a wonderful person who cared about his family, his friends and loved to draw and do illustrations. I think of him often and I am very grateful that he was my friend.
As a student at the Juilliard School in New York City, I met Karen Iannotti, an extraordinarily talented pianist. She was a beautiful young woman, inside and out, with a warm personality always ready to help others. We lived in the Coliseum House in New York City at 228 West 71st street. We were neighbors and became good friends and enjoyed playing concerts together.
A writer friend of ours had written a one-act play that he opened at Sardis in New York City for the sponsors and Karen and I played the background music for the play. One of the pieces was Khachaturian’s “Saber Dance” where Karen and I wrote a wonderful arrangement for viola and piano. We had a wonderful time making music together and helping our writer friend with his hit show “One Act”.
Karen Iannotti performed at Carnegie Hall in 1979 in a piano concert sponsored by Carnegie Hall, Inc. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer and pianist Louis Gottschalk. She also performed as a guest artist/pianist for the opening of the Jim Henson Associates studio and executive offices, “Moppet Show.” She was also Music Director and Pianist with the “Bel Canto Opera Company” of the New York City production of Borodin’s “Prince Igor.” During this time, she taught many students and they learned the joy of playing the piano.
Karen was also a well known accompanist to singers at Sara Lee’s Studio in New York City. When she wanted to study singing, she suggested to me: “She studies with Mrs. Lee, she is the best voice teacher in New York City. She taught Todd Duncan, who sang Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”” . Karen played for my lessons with Mrs. Lee. We had a great time. In 1983, Karen Iannotti passed away. She brought so much joy to her family, friends, relatives and her students, because of her warm and caring personality and her beautiful piano playing. She was one of the best people I have ever met and I like to think that she is playing the piano for the angels.
So what are 3 things you can do to thank the friends, teachers, coaches, mentors, parents, or family members who have helped you?
1) Start your day by remembering and writing down the people who have made a difference in your life. Write them a note or call them and thank them. Think of a person who has had a positive impact on your life and do something nice for them.
2) Weekly honor a special person in your life with acts of kindness towards others.
3) Think of the people who have made a difference in your life and honor them in some way by sharing your appreciation with random acts of kindness to others.
“Of all the ‘attitudes’ we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.” ~Zig Ziglar
So start a notebook today and enter the names of your teachers, mentors, coaches, and friends who have made a difference in your life and do something nice for them. Dont wait. Do it now, before it’s too late!
Remember what Zig Ziglar said: “The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.”