Walk the Weed Walk

The first thing last Monday morning, I became aware that the weeds around the house were out of control.  I felt bad because I had been meaning to "pretty up" the place for awhile, but hadn't gotten around to actually doing it.  (Alright fine.  I'll take care of it.)

Before

After

A few days and fourteen leaf bags later, I had made a significant dent.  I had made several trips to pick up borrowed garden tools, two trips to Home Depot, and been to the nursery and to the town dump.

Russ after we unloaded bags at the town heap

I became a weed pulling machine.  I spent a few hours each day getting rid of weeds, pruning overgrown bushes and ivy and tilling up soil.  I was determined to remove all of the old, unnecessary and unsightly things that were choking out the new and healthy growth.  (Hmm... How could THIS be a metaphor for life???)

I started looking around the house for other possible weeds.  I weeded out my songlist, my closet, my computer desktop, my actual desktop, my purse, my car and the refrigerator.  It was endless.

The gig on Saturday was GREAT!  I met wonderful singers and musicians who were all very nice and sounded fantastic.  The food was delicious and the staff at the gala event was friendly.  I had my updated song list and my newly cleaned out gig bag and was feeling good.  I was pretty sure I knew what this blog would be about.

John, Primadonna, Me, Tony

THEN came church on Sunday.  The minister started talking about "earthing" and harvest and composting.  (C'mon!!!  Really?  I was totally going to blog about this type of thing already!)

Then she said, "You don't want to focus on the weeds."  (HUH?  WHAT?  I was going to blog about the weeds!)  She went on to explain that it's a metaphysical law that what we focus on expands, so we need to focus on the Blessings, the harvest - not the weeds.  We need to clear what exists inside of ourselves that resists prosperity.

OKAY...

I went back home and did some more weed pulling and clipping, but found it somewhat unsatisfying. When it was almost time to wrap it up for the day, I knew what had to be done.  I had to plant.  (This must be what she was talking about.)  Pulling the weeds was not enough.  I had to plant that half flat of Vinca Minor that I bought at the nursery just like I have to plant new ideas.  I couldn't just THINK about doing it.  I had to actually dig a hole, mix in some fertilized soil, place them in the ground, cover their roots and water them.  I have to get the new idea, make room for it, then take the action of planting it and nurturing it.  Action is required.  I have to walk the walk.

This week I will not get distracted by the weeds.  I'll pull them away to make room for the new.  Then I'll focus on the new, on the nurturing, the building, the action.

Have a great week cultivating your new ideas!  Enjoy the harvest.

Namaste,
T

Keep Going Angel Face

Happy Monday everybody!

I started off last week in the studio in Buffalo.  It's always such a joy to work on new music with my dream team!

with Joey and Russ

Tuesday, I saw an Angel in the sky.  :)  There were guys working on the house when a friend texted to ask how I was doing.  I took this picture of the ladder and responded that I was "Movin' on up."  Do you see the Angel face in the clouds - just to the left of the ladder?

raw photo - no retouches

When Russ left for Milan, I thought I might have a minute to relax, but no.  I received a confirmation for a pending Saturday show and the rush was on to get hair done, update website, learn songs and get back to the NYC area.

At the gig in the Hamptons, I was pleasantly surprised to see old friends!

with Wes (drums)

And I always love working with this amazing group of singers!  :)

with John, Chevonne, Brian

By the time I got home, I was too tired to get out of the car.  (Hey singers - does this happen to any of you too?)

So on Sunday, I didn't want to do ANYTHING.  A day of rest... Aaahh... (If only this were one of the commandments or something.)  ;)  

Seriously though, it is SOOOOOO good for us to just sit and breathe.  We all really need to do this more often.  I had the Blessed opportunity to rest and reflect and let the thoughts flow freely on Sunday.

As I thought about what I might write here today and looked for a common thread that ran throughout the week, I recalled many conversations, comments and Facebook posts about love, relationships, personal boundaries and standing up for one's self.  All week long these topics kept coming up.  They were in the love song we worked on in the beginning of the week, in the songs I learned for the gig, in the casual conversations, in the funny stories I heard from friends and in the serious stories on the news.  

I remembered someone's story about how a friend of theirs had been afraid to stand up for themselves in a work situation, and someone else's story about how they HAD spoken up for themselves and how things had changed for the better after that.  I recalled a time when I had spoken up for myself.  I recalled a time that I didn't, but wished I had.  I remembered that oftentimes it seems easiest to ignore an issue and pretend that it's not that bad or offensive.  Sometimes it's hard to face the possibility of letting go and easier to let wishful thinking blind us to the truth.  I thought of someone last week who said, "It is what it ain't!" - rather than "It is what it is."

I saw these posts on Facebook:

"Sometimes on your way up

you have to stop and

let some people off"

- from Enchanted Minds

"You will never get what you truly deserve

if you remain attached

to what you're supposed to let go of"

- from Enchanted Minds

Then I saw this post:

click here for: "The Difference Between Healthy Love & Unhealthy Love" - by Joe Martino

I thought of all the positive affirmations and quotes that I see so often on social media.  While we are encouraged to be positive and love each other, sometimes we forget to love ourselves first.  Setting boundaries doesn't have to mean conflict.  We don't need to get someone else to act in any particular way - but we DO need to be honest with ourselves about the decisions WE make about how we will or will not allow ourselves to be treated, or who we choose to be around.  Loving someone does not mean allowing ourselves to compromise what we believe is right for ourselves.  We can set our own limits and respect the choices of others while we take responsibility for our own.  

Then Steve Harvey came on TV with Oprah, giving advice and talking about his book "Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success."  (I bought it as an eBook.)  He talked about how he doesn't have time for people's negativity and how "You cannot pull everyone along in your wagon of success.  You have to know when it's time to cut certain people loose."

click here for: Steve Harvey on "Oprah's Lifeclass"

I remembered the Angel's face in the clouds and thought of "movin' on up" and wrote these words:

"I take responsibility for presenting myself to you 

as someone you could take advantage of...  

That's all over with now.

- My Higher Self"

In case you didn't see the Angel before...

So here's what I got for this week (to remind myself):

1)  Take the time to rest and breathe and let your innermost thoughts and revelations bubble up to the surface.  Don't get too busy for yourself.  Don't drown yourself out with busywork.

2)  Keep climbing.  Keep making everything better.  Keep raising your own bar.  Blessings await.  Don't be afraid to let go of the old.  Trust that the new Blessings will come.  Keep going!

3)  Hey!  I should write a song about this stuff!  ;)

click here for: Tanya Diona's song "Stand"

Namaste,

T

#Proud

What an awesome week!!!

#proud...

First of all, words can not express how proud I am to be a member of SAG-AFTRA.  Through that affiliation, I stand with some of THE MOST AMAZING AND TALENTED PERFORMERS IN THE WORLD!

I began the week attending SAG-AFTRA meetings/events in NYC.  There, I felt absolutely privileged and Blessed to be present among some truly wonderful Angels who walk around masquerading as people.  I am blown away by the incredible talent of fellow members, but even more so by their incredible spirit.  This week, I've reconnected with familiar friends and met new friends who share a drive and dedication to the art and business of music and entertainment that I find beyond inspirational.  To be a part of this family of performers is a most amazing honor.

click here for SAGAFTRA.org - "About Us"

(Highlights from SAG-AFTRA's 2013 Inaugural National Convention)

#ilovesingers...

The camaraderie and family spirit among performers, entertainers and those who share a passion for the arts truly warms my heart.  Over the years I've often felt that way, with so many groups of people with whom I've worked.  There's just something magical about the bonds that you forge working side by side on stage (AND off) to make a show, a recording, and/or a performance into something special.  There's such a feeling of community and team spirit.

I had the opportunity to spend time with some extraordinary and very accomplished singers and entertainment professionals this week.  There were moments when I was overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for all of them - and for countless others who paved the way for us to be able to do what we love for a living.  At one point, I looked around the dinner table and it occurred to me that the the talent, the résumés and accomplishments of those present was staggering, but even more impressive than that was the feeling of family, the kinship, the warmth, the laughter and spirit of love in the air.

L to R front: Janice, Dennis, Felicia, Me
L to R back: Sidney, John, Antonio, Louis, Carlos, Randy, Noah, Dan

L to R: Ada, Dennis, Me, John, Keith, Felicia, Carlos

#nostalgic...

By Friday it was time to make my way to Buffalo, where I had a gig with some very special singers from NYC who traveled all the way to my hometown to perform for a gala event there.  Nostalgia was running high as we remembered the "good ol' days."  Gordon and Wondress were the singers in the very first club date band I played with in NYC - and it was Gordon who introduced me to this band of performers and to Russell Graham (their keyboard player) who would become my husband.  (That first show was at "The Greatest Bar On Earth" - part of Windows on the World at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center - where the band played regularly until our last scheduled show there on September 11th, 2001, when the tower fell many hours before any of us were scheduled to arrive.)

There they both were, in my hometown of Buffalo, and Russ and I were both on the gig.  Joining us would be musicians from NYC and fellow Buffalonian Ken Witman on saxophone.  The show was great and we all expressed how wonderful it was to work together again.

with Gordon and Wondress

with Russ, Gordon and Wondress

with Ken

with Wondress

with Russ

Russ and Gordon

#gratitude...

As I write this on Sunday, finally relaxing for the first time this week, I recall all the events of the week and smile - thinking of the spirit of family, pride, nostalgia and gratitude that seemed to follow me around.  They were such profound and lovely feelings.  As I begin this week working on new music with my beautiful family of entertainment, music and studio professionals, I'll carry with me the spirit of last week.  I'll remember all of the amazing performers in history who fought for performers' rights and wages.  I'll remember the passionate spirit, friendly warmth and incredible talent of today's industry veterans.  I'll carry the memories of those first gigs in NYC, and reverence for those musicians who welcomed me, and for the journey itself.

This week, I'll walk with confidence and pride.  This week I'll carry all those exquisite people in my heart - with warmth and gratitude.  

Amen.

Namaste, 

T

Sunshine and Rain

Last week, there was an anniversary dinner...

a doggie swimming lesson...

a showcase in the city with a great band, awesome vocalists and lovely friends...

with John and Chevonne

with Chioma

I TRIED to have a photo shoot with Sadie and Bentley, but they weren't exactly cooperative...

Then it rained on my head.  Hard.

I was reminded that challenges will come to all of us.  

"Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, 

and knows not that it brings abundance 

to drive away hunger."

- Saint Basil

As the songs of last week still echo in my head (Full Force released their music video for "I Feel Good, I Look Good, I'm God Good") and a Joan Rivers special plays on television at this very moment, I look at shining examples of how meeting up with life's challenges can bring us strength and unique Blessings.           

"When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways

 - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, 

or by using the challenge to find our inner strength."

- Dalai Lama

"Happiness is not something ready made.  It comes from your own actions."

- Dalai Lama

Okay.  How do we do it?  How can we invite a miracle and turn water to wine - or rain into sunshine?  It seems to me that gratitude must play a major role.

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, 

owned, earned, worn or consumed.  

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute 

with love, grace and gratitude."

- Denis Waitley

"Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, 

we can never do anything wise in this world."

- Helen Keller

Alright then.  Keep close to the gratitude and love, and away from the self-pity.  Got it.

As soon as I came back in the house, the rain stopped and the sun was blinding...

I remembered that sunshine always follows the rain and that if we zoom out a little, we can see the bigger picture...

My new bracelet

Have a Blessed week!

Namaste,

T

Keeping it Real

"Sometimes life can bring you joy..."

These are the first words of the lyrics I sang with Paul Anthony and Bowlegged Lou (of Full Force) from their new single "I Feel Good, I Look Good, I'm God Good" last week in Washington, DC.

I LOVED IT!

with Bowlegged Lou and Paul Anthony of Full Force

First of all - I was honored beyond belief when they asked me if I was available to do the shows.  It was the week of their new album release and I was to sing with them for two performances.  We were going to do two songs (both duets), and the recording artists on the actual record, whose parts I'd be singing, were Faith Evans and Tisha Campbell.

(Stop. Breathe. Jump up and down. OMG! OMG! Stop. Breathe. Calm down. You can do this.)

with Bowlegged Lou and Paul Anthony of Full Force

You see...

Once upon a time, there was a young female singer/songwriter who moved to the NYC area from Buffalo, NY when key members of her band left to tour with Rick James.  She didn't really know anyone there in NYC but was determined to make it on her own.  One day she nervously dialed the number on a card she received from a team of producers she had met earlier that year at a music conference.  To her surprise, she was met with a warm friendly voice and an invitation to their office/studio.  She went on to record and write songs there.  They were supportive and encouraging and even came down to The Apollo Theater when she competed on Amateur Night.  It was Paul Anthony who suggested the song she sing on "Showtime at the Apollo," which brought her a first place win.

Looking back, it wasn't just all of those specific things that proved most valuable for me.  It was the overall feeling that they believed in me.  I can't even measure how far that went toward my confidence as a vocalist and as a songwriter and I can not thank them enough.

I am blown away and so proud to be a co-writer on one of the songs on their new album!

As time passed and projects led everyone down their own paths, we spoke less often.  It had been a while since we had been in touch when their name came up in the studio as Russell, Joey and I were recording about a year ago.  Joey recalled seeing an episode of Unsung which featured them.  It was Joey who told me that Paul had cancer.

That's when everything at the studio came to a screeching halt as I looked up the episode online and saw for myself...

click here for "Unsung" excerpt... "Paul Anthony's Revelation"

The message I sent, to a number I had no idea whether or not was still working, was immediately returned with the same friendly spirit that greeted me all that time ago when I had first moved to NYC.  It was amazing and truly heart-warming.

The story of Full Force and Paul Anthony's journey is inspirational beyond description.  Now, with the release of their new album, words can not express how happy I am for them.  I was absolutely thrilled to see them again and it was like a dream come true to perform with them.

click here to view Fox 5 interview and performance of "I Feel Good, I Look Good, I'm God Good" with Paul Anthony, Bowlegged Lou, Tanya Diona

When I returned home on Wednesday, I was loving life and got straight to work with a spring in my step.  (I booked two shows before I even switched trains!)

The momentum continued through the weekend.  Saturday was the wedding reception of two wonderfully beautiful friends.  They were positively BEAMING with joy, and their warmth and love radiated through all of us who were present.  Everyone I spoke to shared that sentiment.  As we all laughed and smiled and cried tears of joy for them during the most amazing impromptu speeches EVER, it seemed obvious that this is the kind of pure happiness that God intends for us.  It's just simply the way things are supposed to be.  Nothing else matters.  It was perfect beauty to behold.

Jaynell and Coyote

As we were hugging goodbye, I remember saying, "Hold on to this joy.  It's the only thing that's real."

I believe it.

I'm going to live it - this week especially - and for as long as I possibly can.

Have a Joyous week y'all.

Namaste
T

Sometimes life can bring you joy

Sometimes life can take it away

That's why I stay lifted

and God Good everyday

So let no one steal your joy

no matter what the reason

Know in your heart HE walks with you

step into your season...

- From Full Force's 

"I Feel Good, I Look Good, I'm God Good"