Here's to the journey! Here's to launching ourselves out there!
And to finding simple joys along the way...
Here's wishing us all some peace and well deserved comfort. May we improve our ability to go with the flow and enjoy the present moment as much as possible.
1. Allow anyone to steal my joy
2. March into someone's trap
3. Be swayed from what I know to be true
4. Stop speaking my mind
There are so many important things happening right now. This is no time to be intimidated into silence. Also, there is this wonderful thing called a delete button - and a block - and an unfriend (if it should become necessary).
Buh-bye troll. This is MY bridge.
Have a beautiful week everyone!
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have some fun to get back to - I may even have ice cream. :)
Remember the magic of a really big Christmas tree? (They're all big when you're little.)
The LEGO Store, Rockefeller Center
Even a small one is magical, especially if it's made of Legos.
How about the first snowfall of the season, your first train ride, gingerbread, blueberry pancakes on a snow day, or your mom's fresh baked cookies that are still warm from the oven?
I get to see life through the lens of that enchanting time when you're a kid and everything is brand new. Just riding up and down the escalator is a thrill and sometimes merely a goofy sound can summon up fits of giggles.
One of the readings at church instructed the congregation, "Do not complain..." and it's easy for us all to remember the last time we did THAT. Do we remember the last time we got lost in a moment of pure happiness?
With Rob of the Dancin' Machine disco band
Many Christians celebrate this third week of Advent by recognizing the spirit of Joy. I am so down with that! Let's find things to be joyous about and have a fabulous time this week! There's time for everything else later.
With Gregory K Lathan of the Dancin' Machine disco band
We had a great disco gig on Friday and this week is going to be SO MUCH FUN! I insist.
I may do this every year. This list is a work in progress. Time is short (isn't everyone's?) and we have a lot of stuff to do. I have my own thoughts and a very limited amount of time to research, so this is it for this year. There's no shortage of information online though. There are holiday survival guides for every aspect of life, so if there's something specific you're looking for (one dish meals, pet safety, beauty, house cleaning, etc.) you can do a search. As for this list, I've just taken some time out to remind myself about the things that might be helpful as I try to improve this holiday game a little bit each time around.
Started this blog in the store parking lot. Let the shopping begin!
1. Breathe.
Seems simple enough, but I slept in today. I had to. I didn't make it to the gym. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. I'm not going to feel guilty about that. I needed sleep - end of story. I'm going to approach the season with that mindset. Everything will not get done. That's ok.
2. Get a game plan.
This is no time to wander about aimlessly. I need a list of things to do in order to make the most efficient use of time.
3. Be prepared to abandon the plan.
Life happens. Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Precious moments can pass us by if we're not prepared to stop and take it all in. Zach said "baby" today. If I was too wrapped up in a plan of accomplishment and not paying attention, I might have missed it. It might not have happened at all if we hadn't taken the opportunity to FaceTime with Mimi (who taught him to say it).
Gotta take a break. He wants me to read him a book.
4. Remain guilt free.
I am going to miss some stuff. I can't be everywhere at all times. There's no room for second guessing and feeling bad about anything. Make a decision and stick with it - or don't - but either way DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. Nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the ride.
5. Be kind.
This seems obvious but today in the store parking lot, a man stopped me as I was driving past. He indicated to me that he was about to pull away and I could take his spot. How nice was that!!! Kindness goes a long way. Let's be a part of the holiday joy and spread the love by being kind to each other. We're all in the same boat here. Let's smile.
6. It doesn't have to be expensive.
One of my favorite go-to stories about this is a childhood memory. An Aunt and Uncle had to "talk" to me. It sounded serious. They explained that money was tight that year and they couldn't afford to get me much. "This is all we could get you..." They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolates. I remember thinking, "WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!" I never forgot that. People on your list appreciate you thinking of them. The gift doesn't have to be extravagant.
7. Wear a cross body bag.
This is no time to fool around. Everything has to be hands free. C'mon, get serious. Being preoccupied with looking cute will not do. (Wearing heels is OUT OF THE QUESTION. I just don't understand that at all.) That being said, put on a little lip gloss. I feel more confident and am more likely to make friendly connections with people when I feel at least a little bit put together. But can we NOT wear pajamas to the mall please? I mean, let's not get carried away. Strike a balance.
8. Drink water.
Hydration is a must - it ranks right up there with eating and getting enough sleep. This is a marathon. Start drinking enough water. As an added benefit, it may make you feel less hungry and less likely to pig out on unhealthy, desperate snack-age. Also, we'll need to drink plenty of water with any headache medication we may need to take - lol. Seriously though, it doesn't matter if we need to take extra time to find a restroom. Just do it. Drink the water.
9. Don't over-complicate anything.
I'm always trying to do something extra and add on other tasks. Do something, then check it off the list. Done. Keep it moving and steady as she goes.
10. Enjoy the ride.
I know I already said it, but it's an important one. Laugh at any and every chance. Spread the smiles. 'Tis the season - enjoy. If I feel the stress coming on and things get frantic... I'll try to let it go. Let's just be happy. Amen.
The grocery store check out clerk seemed tired and on auto-pilot. When Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on, I exclaimed, "Rudolph! Here we go!" as I loaded my items onto the conveyor belt. He smiled and continued smiling until I was rolling away and the lady behind me stepped up to the pin pad.
OK. That's all I got. The kid just fell asleep. That means I have to also. xo
Yet the world keeps turning. Time keeps ticking by. Stores are busy getting their Christmas aisles in order and people are busy shopping, watching football games and carrying on with the daily routine of life. Yet for some, there is immeasurable heartache and loss. For some, time stands still and numbness takes hold. For some, life will NEVER be the same.
We left church, stopped at the store, went home, fed Zach and got him ready for bed. The shooting was not mentioned in the service we attended. I'm not sure the priest was even aware of it. It wasn't until we were back at home that I was able to look it up.
I saw Marianne Williamson's (world renowned spiritual author and teacher) Instagram post: "Dear God, please help us. Amen" It includes a picture of the shooter (also from her hometown of Houston, TX) with text saying that he is not a Muslim or with Isis and that THIS (he) is what a terrorist looks like. MARIANNE WILLIAMSON - a woman who guides millions of people through concepts in A Course in Miracles - is pointing out what terrorists look like and praying for help for us all on her IG account.
With tears swelling up, I thought about how to fight "hatred." I know it's with Love. I know it's with kindness and compassion. I know the "battle" that occurs within ourselves and manifests in the world between fear and Love. I know people will argue and politicians will fan flames, stirring passionate thoughts in millions of people, dividing some and uniting others in common cause. I know many will search for answers and sometimes answers will not be found. Some will believe fiercely and cling to their faith. Others might give up on it.
I checked in online to see what friends were talking about and found something positively delightful in the midst of all this horror. I smiled. Then I laughed. It was pure, genuine. Then I looked up the lyrics. THIS is how you fight hatred - with joy of heart. This sweet little girl is bringing the Light!
Dear God, Help us all. Let us be guided by Love. Grant us wisdom and understanding in our thoughts, kindness in our deeds, and childlike wonder and joy in our hearts. Be with those in pain. When we hurt, hold us tenderly and touch our souls with the Warmth of Your Love and Divine Comfort. Heal us. Open our hearts and minds to learn, that you may teach us softly. Amen.
Thoughts and continued prayers for families affected by this unfathomable tragedy.
Namaste,
T
"Then he said: I promise you this.
If you don't change and become like this child,
you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."
- Matthew 18:3
"My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies." - 1 Corinthians 14:20
Zach Williams, Old Church Choir, with lyrics:
Zach Williams, Old Church Choir, Official Music Video:
After the crazy hectic video release week, and a drive from Buffalo to Brooklyn and back, it was time to settle down and relax. I headed for the hills...
A trip to the Amish countryside always calms my spirit.
Then there were family visits, nature's beauty and the lake...
"Every breath we take, every step we make,
can be filled with peace, joy and serenity."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Then I discovered Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and Kristina Tracy's children's book, "Unstoppable Me."
"Just try to remember,
when stressful thoughts attack,
that positive actions on your part
are the best way to fight back."
- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and Kristina Tracy
This week, as I strive to balance work and play, I will take moments and breathe in serenity. I will be at peace.
For those who don't believe, no proof is possible."
- Stuart Chase
As for me? I believe.
This week, I am reminded of the Truth - that all things are possible, that magic exists, and that we can. "We can" what? We can - anything.
The following is from The New York Sun, 1897. I've always loved this Christmas editorial:
"WE TAKE PLEASURE IN ANSWERING THUS PROMINENTLY THE
communication below, expressing at the same time our great
gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the
friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor -
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there
is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The
Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a
Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety Fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected
by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except
they see. They think that nothing can be which is not
comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia,
whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great
universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as
compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by
the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and
knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as
love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they
abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas!
how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It
would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be
no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable
this existence.
We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The
external light with which childhood fills the world would be
extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in
fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the
chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you
did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no
Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that
neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies
dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they
are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders
there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise
inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not
the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the
strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith,
poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and
picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it real? Ah,
Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives and lives forever. A
thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years
from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."
- "Is There a Santa Claus?" reprinted from the September 21,
1897, number of The New York Sun.
This year, I was moved by the writing of a nine year old little girl, Basya Fogelman, who read her winning essay aloud at the National Menorah Lighting in Washington, DC. I was also inspired and encouraged by Rabbi Levi Shemtov's comments, which immediately followed:
“Chanukah means different things to different people. To little kids, Chanukah means
presents. To adults, Chanukah means
spending time with family. To me,
Chanukah means going up. You might ask, ‘What does that mean?’ The second night
of Chanukah is symbolic of elevation or ‘going up’because every night you add
more light by lighting another candle. So
too does a Jew by doing this important mitzvah.
This mitzvah will lead to more. As
our sages say, ‘One good deed leads to another.’ We should try to do more good deeds every
day. It’s important to me to add more
light in honor of my grandmother who passed away on the second night of
Chanukah many years ago. My favorite
way to add light is to visit old and sick people and light the menorah and
sing Chanukah songs with them. When I
do this, I know I am not only elevating myself but my grandmother’s soul too.” - Basya Fogelman
“In your homes or via the live broadcast, know that you can
light a candle too.Even if you’re not
celebrating Chanukah, go warm up somebody’s life.Go do another good deed.Go make the world brighter than it would be
without you and in that way, you’re celebrating Chanukah too.Obviously, in the Jewish community we light
menorahs, but spreading light, good, and warmth in the world is a universal
opportunity and message.”- Rabbi Levi Shemtov
While the children are teaching us, here is another good find from Sesame Street, about Kwanzaa. I fondly remember learning all about Kwanzaa when my (then five year old) little sister came home from school and excitedly shared her entire lesson on the holiday with the whole family.
“Just as millions celebrate Irish culture on St. Patty's Day and Mexican culture on Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa has grown to fulfill Dr. Karenga's vision. The vision that people of all stripes celebrate the African culture and spirit.” - History.com
This holiday season, I'll keep in mind what the children have taught me. I will be warmed by the purity of love in their hearts and by the magic and spirit of family that fills the air. I will be reminded:
Life is simple. Choose Love. Choose Joy. Follow the Magic. Follow the Light.
Be Love. Be Joy. Be Magic. Be Light.
May we all have a joyous holiday season. May we love and appreciate each other for our uniqueness, for the variations and different traditions within our brotherhood and for the common bond which connects and unites all of us.
The perfect end to an extremely busy week came on Sunday.
I attended the wedding of a wonderful friend and his partner. The spirit of Love that filled the air was simply incredible. All who were present felt Blessed to witness the couple's declaration of a most genuine and precious Love. It warmed our hearts, brought tears to our eyes and sent our Spirits leaping for joy. The magic and beauty that we felt defies description by mere words. It seemed we all witnessed a bit of Heaven - the way things are supposed to be. We laughed, cried and drank it all in as if our parched souls had finally found an oasis. By sharing their Love with us, that couple had actually fed our souls.
As they stood before us, baring their hearts to each other, someone in the intimate crowd gathered there in the couple's living room said, "I love love." The woman standing next to me was compelled to introduce herself to me, and I to her. We all came together under that umbrella of Love. There were family members, friends, and complete strangers gathered in a feeling of unity. Isn't that what love is all about?
As I was eventually saying my goodbyes, along with so many lovely people, we spoke of a sense we had, of a "cloud of Love" surrounding us. We bid the couple hold on to that cloud and always refer back to it in times of challenge. I vowed to myself to hang on to it and carry it with me as I ventured back out into the world beyond the comfort of their enchanted home that evening.
With so much going on in the world at this very moment, I will carry the remembrance of that Love this week. I will seek out that which unifies people and accept it as truth. I will dismiss that which seeks to divide us.
I believe we are one family.
Namaste,
T
"Don't let them deceive us
Orchestrating our defeat
Pushing us to ruin
We fight our brother in the street
Just because he wears a different face
What a disgrace
I believe that we're all family
And together we can find all that we need..."
-Tanya Diona
"Family Reunion" lyrics
P.S.
As if Angels have just sent me confirmation of these sentiments, I just viewed these two posts (which I will post, in sequence, after posting this blog):
As I write this, peaceful protesters unite and line the streets across the country...
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...
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.
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.
