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inspired, yet again

Dear Blog:

I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens for a reason and I believe God directs our every step. I also believe God really, really loves us. Little things will happen from time to time that remind me of this very thing. It’s incredibly mind blowing at times just how much He will go out of His way to make sure it’s obvious just how much He cares about me. I will tell you a story of how I was reminded recently…

There are a few things I am very very passionate about in life. If you’ve been following me for a while you already know the two obvious ones: photography and traveling. Another one is music. So much of my inspiration in life and photography is drawn from music. And I don’t mean the cookie cutter, surface-y, fun to dance to kind of music. I mean the deep, passionate, heartfelt kind. The kind that has a message and captivates your very being. There are several bands that write this type of music, but one in particular has completely rocked my world. RED. When I was first introduced to them in 2007, I was instantly hooked after hearing one song. You know how we “click” with people? Well, I CLICKED with this band. If I could write music and lyrics, I would be doing it just like them. I feel like they take the very words out of my mouth and play the very music my soul feels inside. I have never been so inspired by a band until Red came into my life. They are so so incredibly talented and obviously gifted by God. Their music is absolutely beautiful and their lyrics inspire me beyond explanation. I’ve actually cried many times to some of their songs!! They are THAT GOOD. (If you’re wondering what type of music they are similar to, Breaking Benjamin comes to mind.)

A little over a year ago on my 27th birthday, I made a list of 100 things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30. You can read the entire list HERE. #46 is “meet the band RED and tell them how much their music inspires me”. When I wrote this one on the list, I knew I would do it… but I had no idea how. A little over a month ago Red announced they were doing a random giveaway to 50 people to attend their album release party in Nashville. I of course jumped on this opportunity, but highly doubted I would win. It was random drawings, totally by chance. Well, I was one of the incredibly lucky ones to be chosen to go.  You should have seen me when I got the email letting me know I was invited to attend. I was squealing like a teenager! I instantly said a prayer and thanked God because I knew this was his way of telling me he really loved me!! I know this may not seem like a huge deal to most, but I know deep in my heart that it was a huge deal to me and God knew that too. I was going to get the opportunity to cross of #46 and in an AWESOME way!!

So I put on my leather skinny pants, and headed to Nashville. The party was incredible. It was a super intimate event where the band performed a couple of songs of their album that released that very night at midnight, hung out with everyone that attended with one on one time and took photos with each of us. I got to bring one of my best friends Judah with me (who is actually the one who introduced me to them years ago) so that was way cool. When I arrived at the party I was given a VIP tag that had the number 64 on it. I couldn’t believe that. 46 backwards! At one point in the night they had a random drawing for a guitar giveaway and the person who won it was 46! I told myself this is all entirely too weird!! Mind-blowing! But again, God showing me He is there… loving me.. and caring for me. Little signs like these are just so amazing to me.

When I spoke with the band, I told them about my list… and about how they were #46 on it… how much they inspired me… and about the weirdness of my tag and what not. They LOVED it and couldn’t believe they were on my “bucket list”. One of the band members, Randy… signed my cd “#46″ with a X through it (as to say “check!”), drew little arrows on tag to switch the numbers and then suggested we all make “4s” and “6s” in our photo. SO RAD.

This night was so amazing for many many reasons. I loved that I got to share such a special moment with the band releasing their 3rd album. I loved meeting them and finally telling them how much their music means to me. I loved hopping on a plane to make one more of my dreams come true.  I love that Randy and I both have “Inspired” tattooed on our arms! (another “coincidence”) I love that I got to share this experience with one of my best friends. I love that I left Nashville feeling even more inspired than ever before. And I love that God loves little ‘ol me… THAT MUCH. I am so so so unworthy.

BE INSPIRED. LIVE THE DREAM.

And while you’re at it, check out the best band in the whole world. www.redmusiconline.com

What inspires YOU?

To RED, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! Please never ever stop doing what you were so obviously created to do. Your music is changing the world. It already changed mine.

Made a short little clip from my Flip camera from the party:

RED – favorite band ever from Courtney Dellafiora on Vimeo.

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