Vangelis

Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known in the expansive music world of Oscars,
Grammys, international performances and compositions as Vangelis, composed the
unique and beautiful score for the movie,
‘Chariots of Fire’ in 1981, as well as over a dozen other films.

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During my radio show days, I had hundreds of CDs, oral storytellers and music or both. I have kept many
of them, some still packed away. During the recent unsettling chaos at home and around the world, I began looking through my CDs for some relaxing music and found the 25th Anniversary release of the ‘Chariots of Fire’ soundtrack.
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I had forgotten how mystical, how beautiful, and how creative and releasing it is. I have listened to it many times since.
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(c) Intenational Foundation of Greece

In the last few months, I have thought about and talked with friends about how we change the world. Sometimes we intend to by volunteering for an organization or group we support, donating our time and/or money to a cause we believe in, by helping friends who need it, or by joining in a march for a cause. Sometimes we may be employed by a company that pays less than we could get elsewhere, yet we believe in what they are doing.

Sometimes we make the world a better place or perhaps change it by simple life tasks: mowing our neighbor’s lawn, picking up dog poop some one left behind, not saying something snarky when it was
the first thing on our tongue, or assuming that someone is doing their best when we are so not pleased with their action.

Did Vangelis think he was working to make the world a better place? I can’t know. I suspect he was doing what he was compelled to do and driven by and felt achievement in doing, as he learned and grew and worked joyously with other musicians. He was born in Agria, Greece and died in Paris not quite three years ago. Did he change the world? Oh my starz, in my opinion he sure did. He opened the door in so many ways for the musicians who came after him, for those he worked with, for the new horizons he saw and exemplified. And the people like me, who he helped open our hearts and souls with his creativity and visionary music.

You and I change the world, I suspect, in ways we don’t realize. Nor at the moment intend. Hopefully, much of it good! Yet when it is not postive, may we learn and move on. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, do better.”

10 Comments

  • Buddy Miroslavich

    February 21, 2025 at 6:48 am Reply

    Your letters are always beautiful and interesting. I hadn’t thought of Vangelis or that perfect movie theme in decades. Gonna pull it up on YouTube after breakfast. Thanks, Buddy

    • Mary

      February 21, 2025 at 10:06 am Reply

      Thank you Buddy! Enjoy.

  • Lynda Condon

    February 21, 2025 at 7:41 am Reply

    I was thinking of you yesterday while listening to a program talking about Gregorian Chant. They talked about it being used in therapy for PST, how it inspires work and writing. It seems to bring order. There was a story about a group of monks who decided to give up chanting for a more contemporary style of music. They became lethargic and changed their diet, exercise etc. and the problem only worsened. I don’t remember what made them try Gregorian Chant again, but when they did and their energy came back. We haveca priest who plays Gregorian chanting during confessional times. I’ve always loved it. It is indeed calming and allows for beautiful
    beneficial meditation. think I need to make it a habit 🤔 Blessings and peace to you 🙏

    • Mary

      February 21, 2025 at 10:09 am Reply

      Interesting, thanks Lynda. I remember going to some Gregorian chant in Seattle and a for a few lessons with a woman who taught it. A good reminder.
      Blessings on both of you~~

  • Robin Dachenhausen

    February 21, 2025 at 9:41 am Reply

    Sometimes you just have to go with what your heart tells you to do without expecting to ever hear anything back about the impact that you might’ve had on the situation feeling comfortable with yourself so that you can say and be who you truly are is the best gift that you can pass on to anyone

    • Mary

      February 21, 2025 at 10:10 am Reply

      Hi Robin~ Thank you, things we have to learn by doing them, over and over sometimes! Best to you~

  • Judy Ridge

    February 21, 2025 at 9:51 am Reply

    As usual I loved your blog. So inspiring. Thank you.

    • Mary

      February 21, 2025 at 10:11 am Reply

      So good to hear, Judy, thank you. Sometimes the idea comes in a moment, other times it percolates for a while~

  • Gayle Helseth-Kenison

    February 21, 2025 at 1:24 pm Reply

    Thank you, my friend! Lovely…

    • Mary

      February 22, 2025 at 10:48 am Reply

      Gayle! How nice to see you here. Thank you for reading. Hope you’re keeping warm~

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