Fearless

The minister at church on Sunday was not talking about the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. She was talking about a woman she knew who had managed to change her mindset. This particular minister is also certified as an Advanced Clinical Hypnotist, and she was referencing a client who went from constantly expecting challenging situations to "presuming good will." Instead of focusing on what she feared, she learned to anticipate more positive outcomes. Concentrating her thought patterns there, she experienced more desirable, and even exciting and inspirational life conditions.

The topic could have been labeled many different ways. A change in attitude, and the effects that such a change has on our lives, can be credited to faith, God, Law of Attraction, the power of positive thinking, Angels... We can believe in this principle regardless of our culture, background, or religion, calling it whatever name works for each of us. The bottom line is that when we train ourselves to expect good things, we often find more good things happening. One sentence in the sermon seemed so profound to me, I grabbed a pen and wrote it down:

"You're not letting your guard down. You're letting God guard you."

- Priscilla Keresey

During group prayer / healing intentions, we remembered all the people affected by the Orlando shooting. After some moments of silence, I noticed my phone light up. It was a notification that one of my friends in Orlando, FL had checked in as being safe.

In the hours to follow, much of the story unfolded about what had happened in Orlando. People have been expressing concerns about giving in to fear and terror. Some people close to the scene, understandably, have been so terrified that they do not want to leave their homes for any reason. Many, though, have expressed an absolute resolve NOT to be afraid, and are compassionately encouraging others to stand strong. Vigils across the country, and even the world, are uniting people in good intention and in support of all those affected.

"The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub 

- it is a place of solidarity and empowerment 

where people have come together to raise awareness, 

to speak their minds and to advocate for their civil rights." 

- President Barack Obama

"There is never, ever any justification for such unacceptable crimes against

humanity, crimes against God, crimes against our country."

- Hassan Shibly, 

executive director of the Florida branch of the 

council on American-Islamic Relations

"Let me be clear: Equality Florida stands in solidarity 

with the Muslim and Islamic community 

and in opposition to the intolerance, 

discrimination and hate crimes that both of our communities experience."

- Carlos Guillermo Smith, 

a representative of Equality Florida, an LGBT advocacy group

As the minister's words keep echoing in my mind, I'd like to believe that I decide for myself not to give in to fear of any kind. I realize this sounds easy for me as one who is removed from these particular prejudices, but my power begins with the man in the mirror.

I will not view it as letting my guard down, I will let God guard me. I remember that church hymn, "Be Not Afraid."

I like this version... nice job Emily!

Love and prayers for the victims, the injured, the family and friends of all those impacted, the community of Orlando, and all those facing the effects of acts of terror, hatred and intolerance.

Namaste,
T

* Quotes cited from http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-orlando-shooting-pulse-nightclub-20160612-story.html

A Little Faith

I went to church twice last week. Once for a funeral, and once for Sunday mass.

Richard Joyner, or "Tricky" as we called him, was a good, kind man. He was a talented musician, singer, sound engineer, and friend. He was always helping others - he just lived his life that way. He helped me get my demo ready when I first moved to the NYC area, and he encouraged me greatly. He will always be remembered for his talent and kind heart.

The Buffalo News - Notice for Richard G. Joyner

The minister spoke about Tricky's character. She spoke about faith. The songs were beautiful, the memories shared by his family touching, the message inspirational. I can't possibly do the sermon justice here... but we were all reminded how truly special it is to be someone who likes to help others - as Tricky was. She talked about how we all leave this world eventually, when our sacred assignments here are complete, and how in times of sadness we need to keep praying. I thought that Tricky would probably want to comfort anyone who was sad, and that he wouldn't want us to stay that way. Of course there is a grieving process - especially for those experiencing the unexpected loss of someone close. Tricky would understand that. Of course he would do whatever he could to let his loved ones know that he is ok, and that he loves them dearly. Of course it's hard to believe that in your heart when you are hurting from the loss of his presence.

On Sunday, I went to mass. The message there was all about faith too. It was interesting how the two sermons echoed each other - even though they were different churches, different religions, with different stories and hundreds of miles away from each other. The priest told a story of a dog named Luna who was lost at sea and presumed dead after an extensive search. After five weeks, she turned up unharmed at a Naval base two miles from where she was last seen. Her owner was overjoyed, having not known all that time that she was alright. The fact that Luna was okay, even when she couldn't be seen, reminded me of how I felt at Tricky's service... that he was alright even though we could not see him.

"Lost at Sea..." npr.org

The priest also spoke of helping others. The church has a program to help feed needy families. We were reminded that some families are in desperate need. One family had told the priest that despite having recently lost their home, that they would be okay and did not need groceries delivered. The priest had them delivered them anyway and they called him in tears, overwhelmed with gratitude that the children had nutritious cereal to eat that week.

We don't always see the whole picture. We don't have to. We just need to try to hold on to our faith. When we feel it slipping, we can ask for help. We can lean on others. Eventually, we'll get to a place of gratitude. We will get there. Eventually, we can turn our minds toward the Blessings that we have - and help others as best we can.

Prayers for all those in need... be it need of comfort, of a friend, of a kind ear to just listen, and for those in need of basic necessities. Prayers of gratitude for all that we do have, and for the strength and will to help others however we can.

"Help Me Believe" - Kirk Franklin:

Namaste,
T

"In Memoriam"

"In Memoriam"

With teary eye I thank you, Boy

For giving me your life,

And who am I to take you from

Your mother, son and wife?

With heavy heart I thank you, Miss

Your courage hired for pittance.

If honor earned be heaven's price,

Be sure of your admittance!

To all we've lost, but Angels gained,

Who fly now free from chains,

Unburdened from this world of war,

Your light be not contained.

Our tribute then, could never be

The glory you deserve,

Our closest humble offering, 

In liberty preserved.

- Tanya Diona

Originally published in blog posted May 26, 2014

Namaste,
T

#Girlpower

Sorry so late...

The past few weeks have been all about video shoot preparation. The last two days were the two big video shoot days. WE ROCKED IT! :)

An absolutely amazing team of women came together and did their thing! I've been working with our two featured performers for the last year and have come to love and appreciate them so! One is a professional aerialist and teacher, the other a determined student learning the fundamentals of aerial silks.

"Aerial silks is a type of performance in which one or more artists 

perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a fabric." 

- Wikipedia

Our rehearsal/training facility was founded by another incredible lady. When we needed rehearsals recorded, a fourth inspirational woman came into the family. Then we needed wardrobe, and eventually hair and makeup personnel. Seriously talented women filled each of these these roles with perfect skill, impeccable professionalism and beautiful spirit. Yet another came to help all of us during the first shoot day.

I am awestruck every time I think about all the collective talent on this project. There are a few men here too, including our videographer and two co-songwriters, but I've worked closely with a whole newly formed family of women that I've come to know, appreciate and love dearly. It will be a while before the final edited footage is released in music video form, but it has been a most wonderful journey so far. I can hardly wait to show you the final version and tell you all about everything in more detail.

For now, I will sleep well tonight. It's been A LOT of hard work this past year, and especially the last few weeks and past two days. It's such a joyous feeling to see it all coming together on the camera. (Russ got a little teary eyed watching too). We have one more scene to shoot in a few weeks and then we'll get down to the editing.

Endless gratitude to all who contributed their time and energy! This has been a truly magical experience!

Namaste,
T

Sporting my "natural look" after the shoot yesterday

#LetItGo

The topic of forgiveness came up several times this week. There was a difference of opinion with someone and the conversation about it that followed. There was a completely unrelated talk with a different friend about their argument with someone. Then there was a butterfly...

While having a difference of opinion via text message with someone, I described my thoughts to a friend I was with. "I don't have to argue. I don't have to get them to understand my point of view. I don't have to be right. All I need to do is walk away," I said.

It struck me as funny how simple that was, yet how challenging that can be sometimes - to just walk away. Oftentimes when we "let it go" or walk away, we do it with an attitude or judgement toward the other party. I meant just really letting go though, without any harsh feelings.

It's easy to stew about some perceived injustice and complain to anyone who will listen. It's easy to walk away and decide that the other person is a _____ (insert undesirable name here). What about actually respecting their perception or circumstance as different than ours, not better or worse?

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."

- Confucious

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Drawing upon what I learned from audio books and seminars I recently listened to (Co-Creating At Its Best, Wayne Dyer, Esther Hicks; The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle; Sacred Contracts and Archtypes, Carolyn Myss), I practiced shifting my thoughts and letting go. I actually felt lighter when I did.

"Resentments are burdens we don't need to carry."

 - Anon.

"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

- Albert Einstein

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

- Buddha

The next day, someone else I know described an argument that they just had with someone. We talked about refocusing thoughts in a way that would allow any negativity to float away like a butterfly.

Today, a butterfly fluttered across my path as I was pulling out of the driveway. It was big and yellow and beautiful, and danced away into a neighbor's yard as I stopped the car to watch it.

Here's to a beautiful new week... light, fresh, new...  and free...

Namaste,
T

Much Ado About Mothers

This month is all about video preparation. I try not to talk about it much here, mainly because the process is so long and arduous. It will be quite a while before this video is completely done - and we've been working on it for almost a year already!

The thing is... this past week was so jam-packed with video production work, that I really have not much else to talk about - except Mother's Day. :)

Tree planted by my mother :)

We're approaching shoot day now and things are getting both crazy hectic AND fun! As I raced around New York City this week searching for costumes, fabric, crystals, hair pieces, buttons, trimmings, industrial strength glue, props, jewelry, hats, etc., I was also rehearsing and juggling calls to the wardrobe designer, choreographer, videographer, hair stylist, makeup artist, and more. There are so many details to tend to! At one point, a dear friend of mine lovingly laughed at me and at my "motherly" type of role. I took it as a most wonderful compliment.

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?"

- Milton Berle

The fact is that there are so many incredible women on this project, when I stop to think about it I am in awe. A group of talented, creative women working together is truly a beautiful thing. Then there was Mother's Day. As I scrolled though post after post about people's love and gratitude for their mothers these last few days, my appreciation of amazing women everywhere strengthened even more.

"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there."

- Robert Browning

Thank you - to all the incredible women in this world! Some are mothers now and some are fondly remembered with the deepest warmth and adoration. Some are mothers to be and some are mothers in a spiritual sense - mothering/mentoring groups, neighborhoods or communities... ALL with an endless capacity for love and compassion so pure that we can feel its divine nature.

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers."

 - Rudyard Kipling

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children."

- William Makepeace Thackeray

"It may be possible to gild pure gold, but who can make his mother more beautiful?"

- Mahatma Gandhi

"We are born of love; Love is our mother."

- Rumi

Here's hoping that we allow that kind of love to grow in our hearts and shine out into the world even brighter this week.

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

- Mother Teresa

Namaste,
T

We Are Family... #Inspiration

Friday was the We Are Family Foundation's 2016 Celebration Gala at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City... I just want to take you all there with me...

Russell and Tanya

Moses, Coyote, Tanya

Coyote, Nile Rodgers, Moses

Tanya and Paul

Moses, Coyote, Tanya, Larry

Danielle, Russell, Tanya, Barry

"The We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate the next generation about respect, understanding and cultural diversity - while striving to solve some of our biggest global problems at the same time."
- WAFF

Click here to learn more about WAFF

The work they do throughout the year is absolutely amazing, especially their support of brilliant and talented teens! Please take a moment and click around their website. You will be inspired. 

"We're building global coalitions, producing international summits, 

creating worldwide curricula and building schools 

in countries with the highest illiteracy rates." 

- WAFF

At this year's gala, WAFF honored President Jimmy Carter (Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Honoree), Adobe Project 1324 (Visionary Honoree), and Bono (Humanitarian Honoree).

Click here for Variety's article: "Bono, Jimmy Carter Feted at Nile Rodgers' We Are Family Foundation Gala"

Bono's acceptance speech - posted on Youtube...

The Edge couldn't make it, but Russ was there! #GORUSS

It was an amazing and incredibly inspirational evening! The event brought together a most beautiful family of people working to make the world a better place. I am in awe of all the love in that room that night. People like Nile Rodgers, President Jimmy Carter, Bono, all the teen leaders (from around the world) and their mentors brought together by the foundation, and hundreds in attendance who appreciate and work toward the highest good of our collective human family... It was an absolutely JOYOUS occasion. 

Thank you Nile Rodgers for your tireless efforts to inspire and encourage the global family to which we all belong. Thank you.

Namaste,

T