At the end of a wonderful day, I reflect on gratitude. It's begun to dawn on me that when one lives consciously in the midst of God, in the midst of this infinite expanse of love, gratitude is like a portal that opens to even greater blessings and wisdom. Piano Music: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

I had a dream. There were many children. They were beautiful in their innocence. In my dream, I could feel that quality of innocence. I could feel it because, finally, my heart was undefended. My heart was free. It is free. This podcast explains why...

Piano Music - "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

In my little music school, students learn in a variety of ways. One is to create improvised music on the piano. This afternoon at our end-of-year recital, a piano ensemble of six girls playing improvised music occurred. It was completely spontaneous, and the result was astounding. Piano Music: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain," traditional. Arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

On the last full moon of the year and the dawning of a new era, I pray for guidance. What is my life's purpose, really? What does God want me to do, to be? Where am I heading? Here's what came to me as I sat at the edge of the Australian continent, overlooking the vast Pacific. Piano music - "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

Amidst difficulties, I find guidance and comfort in signs I receive from God. They come in a myriad of forms - billboards, song lyrics, messages printed on t-shirts, logos on trucks. Here I share a few that have helped steer my course, and given me faith. Piano music - "Amazing Grace," by John Newton. Arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

Struggling with a very tough situation, I'm fraught with fear and anxiety. In desperation, I pray to God for guidance. As I do, unexpectedly the world begins to change, it becomes magical--the sights, the sounds, the atmosphere. Piano music: "In Duet with God" composed and performed by Jessica Roemischer

Inspired by the final verse of the beloved hymn, "Amazing Grace," I reflect on the experience of awe and eternity. "When we've been here ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we'd first begun." Piano music: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

A meditation in word and music dedicated to a dear friend on the other side of the Pacific, and to all who may be struggling. With love, Jessica

Piano music - original and improvised music, and "A Balm in Gilead" - African-American spiritual, arranged and performed by Jessica Roemischer

Increasingly, the Australian birds in my neighborhood - the lorikeets, kookaburras, cockatoos - are attracted to the music my students and I are creating at the piano. They're alighting on the balcony in the mornings and afternoons, resting there, sometimes for many minutes as we play our music to them. It's wonderful to be in duet with the birds. And I'm realizing that these feathered creatures are residents of this neighborhood as I am, as my students are. We are all citizens of this place together. Improvised piano music by Jessica Roemischer

Inspired by three quotes from the revered Russian writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky, I reflect on childhood, beauty, goodness and God, and what it means to nurture and protect these, above all else. Improvised piano music by Jessica Roemischer