Did I drive this truck and trailer with a storage box down twenty miles of highway, then load a storage unit full of stuff onto it ALL BY MYSELF, then drive it another twenty miles before getting on a plane back across the country because I am a MOM and therefore I can do anything???
Yes. Yes I did.
It felt like I was closing out a chapter in my life. The days of being bi-coastal have been over for a few years now. It was about time to close the book on that storage unit. Change is good. Why do we always seem to hang on longer than necessary?
Then suddenly I was back in NY,
and in a snowstorm so bad it took me an hour and a half to get somewhere it usually only takes me ten minutes to get to. It took Russ six and a half hours to drive 46 miles to his gig that night. (SMH) The only real problem with driving in the snow is that NOT EVERYONE OUT THERE ON THE ROAD IS FROM BUFFALO! (#Buffalove.) It wasn't exactly a day at the beach...
But all in all, it was not that bad.
The week circled back around to my favorite thing - recording new songs for my next album!
Here's wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and a beautiful change of season!
I'm torn. I want to tell you all about how I flew to Las Vegas and had a fantastic time performing with Rick James's Original Stone City Band. The problem is that this earthly world lost my sweet, Great Aunt Josephine and the legendary Aretha Franklin this week as well.
Just back from my travels last night, I came to the coffee shop to sit and write this today. First I looked up funeral arrangements. Aunt Josephine's funeral was this morning and I'm sorry to say I missed it.
An Angel Feather at Rehearsal
I think I'll wait until next week to share the show details with you. Right now - I'm going to have some quiet time and reflection.
A tremendous "thank you" to all of those who came before us and helped guide our path. May we pass on the kindness and inspiration with Love and appreciation.
Russ and I were talking about life… (and doing taxes).
In self-reflection, we started examining whether or not we
were "reconciled within ourselves" – in other words, are the choices we make
reflective of the reality we are trying to create? If not, why? What are some of the ways we are holding ourselves back? In what ways are we complacent? Why
might we sometimes stay in a comfort zone instead of pushing forward? What could we do differently, that might bring change for the better?
These are really tough questions. In order to answer, we
have to journey into ourselves and seek the truth. We are going to need boots. :)
We have to have the gumption to travel through our own muck.
Sometimes moving ahead in life means moving ahead in our own thoughts first.
Maybe we have to dismantle some old, outdated shadow belief before we can move
on. We might start believing in ourselves a little more in order to take that
one leap of faith that would make all the difference. We might stop making excuses
and take one step, one action that moves us closer to our dreams. We might make
a healthy meal choice instead of saying we didn’t have time to eat right. We
might do the RIGHT thing instead of the EASY thing and feel so good about it
that we set off a chain reaction in ourselves and steer ourselves in a new
direction.
"To everything there is a season..."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1
As the weather turns and I am forced to admit what I had
been trying to deny (that winter is coming), I’ll try to apply the principle to
other areas as well. Like they say at the gym, sometimes we have to deconstruct a
little to rebuild stronger and better.
Here’s bidding us all safe passage through the muck! Here’s
to evolving and constantly improving ourselves. I can do it. I have boots. (I’m
thinking I could use a new raincoat too… #BringItOn)
The first thing I saw on Sunday morning was this post from Dr. Wayne Dyer:
"The only thing that feeling bad accomplishes
is to plummet you into
anxiety, despair, depression and stress.
In such situations,
ask yourself in that moment
what thought you can have
that will make you feel good."
I decided to think good thoughts, reposted Dr. Wayne Dyer's words, and got ready for church. Before leaving I said a prayer and asked for help listening. I got to church and the minister said, "I'm going to help you learn how to listen." :)
The first song was "Down By the Riverside."
"Gonna lay down my sword and shield
down by the riverside
down by the riverside
down by the riverside
gonna lay down my sword and shield
down by the riverside
ain't gonna study war no more..."
Pete Seeger, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee "Down By the Riverside"
The Reverend talked about Memorial Day and noted how we often speak of war. (I suddenly wondered if "Down By the Riverside" could be interpreted as "anti war" and felt pangs of conflict for singing it with Memorial Day just around the corner and the remembrance of countless brave men and women who gave their lives in service. I certainly would not want to seem disrespectful to any of them.) He recalled watching CNN and spoke about how we constantly feed our minds with negativity. After ten minutes of watching the news, we can become walking byproducts of media doom and gloom. Where was the holiday celebrating peace? What about John Lennon? We can, with intention and practice, quiet the noise and become aware of divine inspiration. We can train ourselves to listen to it.
Alright... Here's the thought that came to me...
I think a great way to celebrate Memorial Day and to honor those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice for peace, is to shift mental focus to peace and gratitude. Thank God for all of those who paid for our freedoms and liberties with their lives. I thank them all dearly.
To all those who passed on while serving in the armed forces:
Today (Memorial Day) I will remember you and honor your sacrifice by lifting my thoughts, energy and spirit to a place of happiness and peace. I know that beautiful things happen every day that we don't hear about on the news. I know that people are helping other people in places all over the world. I know that we can accomplish amazing things with love and kindness - and we are.
"To everything... There is a season..."
- Pete Seeger, King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I will make today a season of peace, joy and happiness - inspired by your sacrifice. Thank you.
