Changes

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                             Change is something we all deal with, whether good or bad. This isn't the place to post a definition about that or the reasons why people in general change things on their own. But, sometimes change is a necessary thing and that can be good for some,bad or indifferent for others.
I've learned that change can be educational, functional, deliberate and positive. Sure, there are the negative changes too, such as car accidents and the usual roller coasters in life. The changes I'm referring to are those we make ourselves for the betterment of our lives and hearts. Some might not agree with our changes, methods, reasons or appearances. Yet, does it really matter what others viewpoints are when we make changes that are positive and healthy for ourselves? Not really. :-)
So, with that I now make some changes that will make some wonder why and to also negate a few goals I had last month on this blog.

                                The first is a rather monumental change to some and no big deal to others. Those who read my Facebook post last week about my name will know this already but many do not. I was given the delightful Scottish name James Donald Ross, passed down from my father's lineage of his family name and other Scottish names, such as Donald , James, Patrick and other Celtic forms. I love this name and have no intention of ever being anyone but this same person. Yet I have always desired something that gave a nod to my heritage in a different way and one that made me "unique", one that brought to mind the man as well as the heritage and interest in my family. And as the Scottish Gaelic version of James Donald Ross is Seumas Dòmhnal Ross, it seemed a fitting way to make a change without petitioning the courts for such measures. The Common Law way of name changing is using the new name in all ways possible except official government and legal documents unless desired, which can also be done via a notarized form stating so. Simply using the new name in what I do is all that is needed or encouraged. So, I find this change to be something that is positive, new and a delightful way to show my heritage and love of things Scottish as well as a nod to my family. The name Seumas, which is pronounced SHAY-MUSS, is not very common here like James (which is the same name,just in a different language, like James and Santiago in Spanish) and the middle name is still Donald without the ending D, so Donal.  Therefore, the name I will be using is Shay-Muss Donal. Sure, many will still call me James, and that is perfectly fine. And it will take some time getting used to writing Seumas in place of James. But what a wonderful change this is for me! So far many of my friends have started to call me Seumas and I love how it draws attention. Say James in a crowd and ten men raise their hands. Say Seumas (SHAY-MUSS, not sea muss) and I'll pretty much be the only one. Thank you in advance for recognizing this and changing with me!!

                                              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seumas

                In addition to the name change, many have noticed my hair getting a lot longer. This was originally a Bucket List goal of not cutting my hair for a year and I'm only three months away from that goal. Now I find myself LOVING the new length and style. For the most part. Yeah, it takes a lot longer to deal with and style as well as take care of but very much worth it. And looks good on me I think. I have nothing but positive comments and that means a lot.
So, the hair continues to grow and get longer as well as curly. Never knew I had such curly hair as I'd never had it this long in all my 49 years! The new hair as well as name change does wonders!!


And, as a minor twist to last month's list of goals for 2016, a revision: German language studies are OUT. No time nor practice partners have been secured nor do I have as much time for that.

 And learning Tamuke on the shakuhachi is now out as I tackle Celtic music for flutes as a primary goal for the year. I can still use my shakuhachi to play Celtic music (Scottish,Welsh, Irish) and will be studying Larry Tyrrell's (my shakuhachi teacher a few years back) book "The Alder Bough" as a guide to get me going. My interest in Celtic music has always been there but till now largely unstudied. Along with the shakuhachi I'll be using and playing my tin whistles and hopefully a new transverse flute soon.

                                                   Wish me luck!!!

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