How to Keep Your Power

SMH

This week started with friends, went into the challenge of dealing with a bully, and then came back around to good times and friendship.

Before the gig

I’m beyond grateful for good people who act as my heroes in times of need. They’re not superheroes because they swoop in and handle anything FOR me, but because they are there for me to talk to - and in doing so they help shift my perspective to a place of empowerment and Love.

After the gig - with John, Chelsea, and Brian

When you are able to “zoom out” or step back, or away from a bully, things take on a new light. You realize that people who act the way they do must feel very disempowered at their core. Why else would they try so hard to take power away from others? They are THAT desperate. In the end – I feel a little sorry for them. It’s too bad they can’t find a healthy way to feel empowered for themselves.

"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; 

he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him."

- Epictetus

After my run-in with a bully, I “coincidentally” heard about a young girl who had an issue herself. It hadn’t taken me long to understand the dynamic I was dealing with and turn it around, but I have experience. I don’t envy what a lot of young people have to go through today – and I certainly wouldn’t want to have live my teenage years again. To all of us trying to hold on to our sense of self-confidence, here’s what I think we should remember:

Others do not define us. We define ourselves. NO ONE writes our own narrative for us. It helps to seek out information and support. We can’t always change our life circumstance, school, or neighborhood to free ourselves from those who like to intimidate. What we CAN do is change our perspective. We can learn from others' experience, we can connect with people who encourage us, and we can step away mentally and come back with a fresh outlook. This may seem simple, but it’s not always easy. There IS a way though. There is ALWAYS a way. In those moments before we figure it out, faith has to carry us. Trust that you WILL come to a place of greater understanding. YOU WILL.

Here are a couple of articles I’ve found insightful:

Click here for: "Keep Your Power" on psychology today.com 

Click here for: "How to Stop Being Bullied" on wkikhow.com

Keep driving toward the sun. 

Have a Blessed week, knowing that you are beautiful, strong, and loved – just the way you are. xo

Namaste,

T

Meanwhile...

While I was packing and unpacking and repacking and traveling AGAIN, this was airing on WKBW:

Click here for: "Couple shares their passion for music working for American Idol" on WKBW.com

It's after 3am (technically Tuesday morning), but I just got in and so now is when I'm posting.

Here's to all the singers who auditioned and to those with upcoming auditions! Have a fantastic journey.  :)

Namaste,

T

Too Soon

It's Monday already. SMH (too soon).

I just got home from the airport. It was a whirlwind of a week. There was a last-minute show postponement, redirection of travel plans, and another show.

Before the show. L to R: Walter, Denise, Amelia, Randall, Me, Paul, Tom

You know that saying:

It was in full effect this weekend. The thing about God's plans, though, is that they're always way better than what we draft up ourselves.

It was an awesome time in San Jose with Rick James's Original Stone City Band! Special guest Paul Anthony was in the house at a great event benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Whew! It was just about an hour ago that I realized it was Monday again already. I'll have to post more pics directly to my pages as they come in. This week just flew by.
xoxo

Namaste,
T

My new blue hair (Thanks Danielle and Leon Studio One!)

My Perfect World

I remember Robbie asking this leading question a long time ago:

"In your perfect world..." (Where would you be in a few years?)

Robbie has been the studio manager at several different locations where I've worked over the years, and remains a studio manager and a good friend (family, really) today. Robbie's question itself makes you define your goals. By answering it, you create the pathway for your dreams and goals to come true. You are saying it out loud, envisioning your future, taking the first step toward realizing those intentions.

Eddie Fluellen, Me, Nate Hughes

Nate Hughes

Me, Amelia Rose, Lanise Hughes, Steve Arrington

Me, Mark Love Gonsalves, Amelia Rose, Randall Bostick

Me, Mark Love Gonsalves

Levi Ruffin, Me

The last couple of weeks have felt like that perfect world for me. First, I performed in Las Vegas as a part of Rick James's Original Stone City Band. Words can scarcely describe how special and poignant that was for me. I started out on the music scene in Buffalo with so many of his musicians as my mentors. I was brought up, so to speak, in the musical family that lived and breathed his sound. It felt like home to be there with his band.

When I arrived back in Buffalo after that show, I was in what feels like my home away from home too. It was the studio - with Robbie, Russ, Joey and Paul. We recorded lead vocals on two tracks for what will be my second album. It was perfect.

Joey Diggs, Me, Paul Anthony, Russ

I'm positively basking in gratitude for all of my musical mentors and the amazing opportunity to work with them. So many people I cherish - all in a couple of weeks.

Sometimes... gratitude just overfloweth.

Have a most Blessed week! xo

Namaste,
T

"To Everything... There Is A 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.

Namaste,
T

Don't Look Back

This is all I have this week. I saw it on an inspirational poster in a shop. There was no author that I could find. It really stuck with me.

Rehearsals this week in preparation for the big show! I've been working hard and there's more of that this week.

Blessed week to you!

Namaste,
T

#TeenaMarie

xoxo

Listen

There we were in the backyard. He kept saying, "Truck! Truck!" I said that I didn't see a truck anywhere, but ok - truck. Then he said, "Listen."

WHAT??? I didn't even know he could say the word "listen" - and he used it correctly in the appropriate context! I listened. Sure enough, there was the sound of a truck on the road nearby. I could hardly believe it. We spent some time listening and identifying sounds.

Shortly afterwards, we took a trip to the library, where the librarian showed us a puzzle with different vehicles (truck, airplane, helicopter, ambulance, etc.). When you put a puzzle piece in correctly, it makes the corresponding sound. While still at the library, the noon whistle went off at a nearby fire station. He exclaimed, "SIREN!" :)

I guess this week is about listening. Thanks Zachary, for reminding Mommy to listen. Lead the way, kid. xo

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; 

they listen with the intent to reply."

- Stephen R. Covey

Blessed week to you!

Namaste,
T