Do It Anyway

Don't you just love it when you find exactly the right sentiment on a Facebook post? I had several conversations early in the week about energies that we find challenging, and about bullies. It seemed that the mere fact that they exist at all can put a damper on our spirit; regardless of their ability, or inability, to actually affect the circumstances of our lives.  Then I saw a post attributed to Mother Teresa. The following is said to have been written on the wall at Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India and is thought to be based on "The Paradoxical Commandments" by Dr. Kent M. Keith:

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered. 

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. 

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. 

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. 

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. 

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten. 

Do good anyway. 

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. 

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 

It was never between you and them anyway.

After spending some time digesting the words, I decided to adopt the philosophy, and simply refused to allow any negativity or opposing energy forces into my stream of consciousness. Why give them another thought, if I'm just going to do as the poem suggests anyway? 

#Irrelevant #LetItGo #ImInChargeOfMe

Saturday's gig was great fun! Outstanding musicianship, great songs, kind hearted people, and fantastic vocal performers made for an inspiring and joyous time on the bandstand. My heart was filled with a strong and happy spirit. 

Today (Sunday as I write this), the minister at service said things like, "It's all about the energy," and "The primary relationship is with the self," and "Respond to darkness with high vibratory response." Then after church, I found this quote from James Allen's essay "As a Man Thinketh":

Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; 

cherish the music that stirs in your heart, 

the beauty that forms in your mind, 

the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, 

for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, 

all heavenly environment; 

of these, if you but remain true to them, 

your world will at last be built.

This week, I will fill my thoughts and spirit with the music of my heart. I will not allow the existence of opposing energy forces to distract me from the essence of my true nature. I will be my authentic self and build my world on those joys and inspirations from within. Shadow or fear may try to creep in, darkening my thoughts, spirit, and maybe even my health; but Light and Love will prevail as I choose to "do it anyway." We need only turn on a light, to make a shadow disappear.

Namaste,

T

OMG! Look at the video I just found... I love it!

Chic Soup

I knew Russ would be traveling to London, England to perform with the legendary Nile Rodgers and Chic. I knew I would be traveling to Buffalo and planned on (among other things) attending Soup-Fest. I joked about how the two events had absolutely nothing in common. Then Russ called…

First and foremost, I am so proud of Russ! He has been working so hard this past year! He has had the distinct privilege of working for Mr. Nile Rodgers of Chic. On Friday, Chic released the first single, “I’ll Be There” from their upcoming album, “It’s About Time,” in London. Russ contributed additional keyboard parts (the basic tracks are all from old Chic multitracks) and is one of the vocalists on the record, in addition to having a recording engineer and mix engineer credit.

Here's an AWESOME short documentary from Nile Rodgers about “I’ll Be There,” the first single:

Here's the official music video:

Meanwhile (back at the ranch) after Russ flew off to London, I drove off to Buffalo. I had been excitedly working on our own music video for “Only Way Home,” as well as website updates and ideas for our next video, and had appointments in Buffalo all day Friday. When a bat got into the house and was flying around the room that I was to sleep in, I was rerouted to the Dunkirk/Fredonia area where Cassadaga Valley High School was staging a production of Mary Poppins! I LOVE that show! Mom and I attended on Saturday. The kids did a FABULOUS job! It's so beautiful when young performers put their hearts and souls into the show. It was absolutely delightful!

Sunday brought with it a lovely church service with a meditation portion that gave me a Blessed opportunity for relaxation and reflection. (Breathe…. Aaaahhh…) The minister said, “In silence the truth exists. In stillness the world is restored.” (Love that.) 

With My spirit revived and nourished, I set off with some friends to Soup-Fest! I never imagined I would be so excited about soup! LOL

With Chuck and Sharon at Soup-Fest 

With Qina and Meg from New York Global Marketing Solutions at Soup-Fest

IT. WAS. AWESOME!!! OMG! OMG! I had some incredible soups (Spicy Chicken Wing, BBQ French Onion, Beer Cheese, Chicken and Ginger, Cold Grape-n-Vodka, Spaghetti and Meatball) and a Guinness cupcake! There was live music and I bought a bowl made by a student attending the same school that had just presented Mary Poppins! Empty Bowls was there – selling bowls made by school kids with proceeds benefitting Friends of Night People. Perfect!

Click here for "Friends of Night People" website

Click here for Buffalo Soup-Fest website

I was just about done writing the first draft of this blog when Russ called from London to say goodnight. The new Chic single was already on the top 40 charts in the UK and finished its first day in the top 25. I told him about Soup-Fest and read him what I had written. When I said that I had given up on trying to find anything in common with his shows and my activities at Soup-Fest, he responded, “Haven’t you ever heard Nile’s song 'Soup for One?'” (No, I hadn’t) “It was sampled by the group Modjo in their song "Lady." We’ve been playing the original "Soup for One" and segueing into the song "Lady" in all of the shows we’ve done here so far.”

LOLOLOLOLOL! So there you have it - the link I was looking for. So what do I make out of it? (The possibilities seem endless…) We have more in common than we think? Seek and ye shall find? Never give up? When in doubt, just ask Russ? Everyone loves soup? Life is a big bowl of soup? LOL

I don’t know. Maybe the question is - what do we choose to make out of it? I DO know that I worked hard this week, did the unexpected, had a great time, took some time out to breathe, ate some delicious soup, and had more in common with Russ, 3500 miles away, than I thought.

Namaste

T

Hold the Rope

Early in the week, I watched an episode of Psych. (Did you ever see that show? It’s hilarious!) The main character, Shawn, had been challenged by a serial killer to a battle of wits, and was trying to keep his usual brand of lighthearted humor despite the seriousness of the situation. He encouraged his best friend, Gus, to help him out by keeping that spirit of goofy humor alive. Gus obliged by acting silly in the most serious of circumstances. By outward appearances, Gus seemed to have lost his mind – LOL. It was unclear whether Shawn just wanted to make him look like a fool or really needed his support in that manner. The show cracked me up, as usual.

(from Psych Season 3, Episode 16 "An Evening With Mr. Yang")

By “coincidence,” the day after watching that episode some close friends and I had to deal with a challenging situation in which it became very tempting to lose our cool. We adopted a similar coping mechanism. To safeguard against falling into the perils of negativity, we adopted a system I call “hold the rope.” When one friend has to deal with some unpleasant situation, another holds the rope. One dives in while others stand in pure love, positive energy and good humor. It’s like having a lifeline. That line is meant to guarantee safe passage into the depths of worldly un-pleasantries and back. Like a harness, it’s a support system.

Let’s face it. Challenges exist. Whether it’s a confrontational coworker, a less-than-pleasant circumstance, or a personal relationship problem – sometimes it becomes a challenge to stay in a positive state of mind. I heard someone on the news this week say that the way to fight hate is with love. It can require serious effort to keep your spirit in a place of love, no matter what comes barreling at you from others. I try to remind myself that there is always something to be learned from ANY situation and that ultimately, a positive outcome can be found. I believe everything can be met with the force of love and that if we are strong enough, in faith and spirit, there is nothing and no one with any real power over us. Keep loving, keep staying strong; that is the plan.

This week, when something is challenging, I’ll ask a friend to hold the rope for me – and I will volunteer to hold the rope for another if they need.  We can stay in the land of love and positive energy if we just give each other a helping hand. If we can manage to keep a smile, we’ll be alright.

With Love,

Namaste

T

"Calling All Angels..."

"I need a sign to let me know you're here..."

- Train

Saturday morning, I asked the Angels to show themselves to me. It was a simple prayer. I had been stressed out and wanted to feel a sense of peace and reassurance of faith. “Let me see you,” I asked of them. Shortly afterward, Russell and I drove to a Greek Orthodox Church to attend the funeral of a friend’s wife, who had succumbed to cancer.

During the service, I found myself saying the same prayer for the deceased that I had said for myself earlier, before I realized how unnecessary that was. There I was, asking that Angels show themselves to her and comfort her spirit, just as the priest was saying that the dearly departed was with her guardian Angel at that very moment. Of course! 

At the end of the service, the casket was guided down the aisle behind the priest, who walked backwards, singing prayers of Blessing and swinging incense before it. I imagined that the smoke rising from his vessel was actually Angels accompanying the dearly departed, guiding her way. As the fragrant cloud swirled and trailed off in the air, it looked as if those Angels were doing some kind of ceremonial dance with twirls, gracefully and joyously leading her back home.

Immediate family followed the casket down the aisle and I was jolted back to earth as I saw their expressions and felt a sense of loss. I could scarcely imagine what it must have been like for them. I realized that THEY were the ones who needed to see the Angels and be comforted. I silently repeated my prayer for them. They had lost their mother, wife, friend; and while we knew she was now at peace, she would also be dearly missed. They had written a beautiful remembrance of her that was read as part of the ceremony. It was a moving tribute for a very special woman whose kind spirit, generous nature, and manner of touching people's lives served as heartwarming inspiration for her closest loved ones and for all of us there. 

Driving home, I was startled as something swirled and twirled in the air before the car on the highway. It was a big feather! It lingered and danced in the air before us just like the smoke from the priest’s censer had done! I gasped aloud as my mind registered the significance. Russ noticed my reaction and momentarily interrupted his phone call to ask what had triggered it: “What? The feather?” 

He had seen it too! I had not just imagined that Angel feather!

(I’ve heard it said that feathers are signs from Angels - and I’m going to go ahead and believe it.)

Isn’t it funny how we find what we seek? I had said a prayer (or, as some might say, I had set an intention) and it was answered. I’m reminded that we can choose to see what we desire to see. We can see an Angel in a feather, in the smoke cloud of incense, in a child’s smile or in anything of beauty. Even in times of difficulty, we can choose to believe that Angels are hard at work; guiding us, challenging our limited thinking, or pushing us toward higher understanding and greater patience – or stronger faith. They can be anywhere – and EVERYWHERE we CHOOSE to see them. I wanted to see them and I did, simple as that.

This week, I hope we can set positive intentions (or prayers, or wishes, or however you want to word it) for ourselves and for all of our human family, and that we believe strongly enough in them – that we see them come true.

“Ask, and you shall receive. 

Search, and you will find. 

Knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

 – Matthew 7:7

Namaste,

T

True Friends...

A relative and I had a saying...

"I love you like you're not related."

We intended it as a compliment because it meant we would be polite. As time passed however, the saying changed. It became:

"I love you like you're related."

THAT was an even bigger compliment because it meant that we wouldn't be afraid to be honest - polite or not.

This week, I had just spent over an hour trying to decide how to respond to a friend when I came across the Oscar Wilde quote above. So I asked myself how good a friend they were. In the end, I decided they were a great friend and that I should be honest, so I went ahead and called them a jackass.  ;)

(pause for laughter)

I'm NOT SAYING that it's ok to hurl insults. THAT honor should be reserved for only the truest and very best of friends - lol. (No, insults are wrong - I know.) I'm also NOT SAYING that I want to run around hurting everyone's feelings with blunt force honesty, but I like to think that a true friend wouldn't really mind if I told them the truth about how I feel. Those friends are the best - the ones that stay and allow you to be yourself. I hope I can speak my mind to my closest friends and that they feel like they can do the same with me.

Namaste,

T

P.S.

A short skit (and true story) about the editing of this blog:

(While debating use of the word "jackass" and its references)

TAN: I don't know. Kids might look at this and call their friend a jackass and never speak to them again. (pause)

RUSS: And you can be proud of your contribution to society. (pause)

RUSS: Jackass.

(Tan erupts in laughter)

Moral of the story: What goes around comes around.