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Lying on the couch in the fetal position = no inspiration for blogging
I am finally starting to feel better but I am still a little sluggish. I guess you could say I feel like this…
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Post title taken from the song “Rise” by the Robbie Seay Band
Last night I was at my church finishing up a song I have been working on for something we are calling “Project Lifesong” – I am part of a group of songwriters collectively known as “Playchase” and together we have set out on a quest to capture peoples stories on film in a very informal and conversational style…and from those exchanges our responsibility has been to craft a song specifically for the people sharing their journeys with us. We have heard stories of heartbreak, joy, trust, community, forgiveness and so much more. Yesterday as I was sitting at the piano pounding out lyrics and melodies I had a big smile on my face as I looked around and saw several of my fellow artist/friends there as well…spread out in various places bringing life to their original songs for one reason…to give them away.
Here’s the thing…many of us desire to pursue music and arts as a profession. Almost all of us are working at an 8-5 or something similar to make ends meet. We feel the tension of paying for student loans, utility bills and home mortgages. Several of my friends have young children who need food, clothes and so much more. That is exactly why the smile on my face yesterday evening stretched as wide as it did. No one in that room had paycheck waiting for them on the other side of their finished song…it was all about the enjoyment and gratitude of giving another person a song…a gift of melody and lyrics to penetrate their hearts and encourage their souls.
Whether you are a wood worker, accountant, hat maker, poet, florist etc…I believe there is no greater joy than giving something to someone out of love. Don’t get me wrong…I believe in making an honest wage for our trades…but if we have never experienced the joy of giving ourselves away…I think we are missing out on something that is sweeter and more gratifying than any dollar amount could ever be.
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If any of you have been following my ridiculous series of posts about Starbucks you may have seen that one of the replies I got to my original “Breakup Letter With Starbucks“ was from a gentleman named Bill Black. Bill is a Marketing Director at Starbucks and he posted a very kind reply to my tongue and cheek rant against the Starbucks company. Many of my friends asked me…”Was that really the marketing director?”
Well…this weekend I checked my mailbox and to my surprise I found a letter from Bill. I opened it up and found this…
Two Starbucks gift cards with personal notes written inside…one for Miriam and one for me. So…since I publicly called Starbucks out for a bad experience I had in their store…let me also publicly say thank you to Bill for your kindness. The fact that you took the time and thought to send us a card is really special. It was Starbucks’ attention to detail that made me enjoy coming to the store in the first place…and now you send this! You are gonna make a brother cry all up on WordPress! This is truly attention to the small things…and I am really grateful!
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“Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green
“Come By Me” by Harry Connick Jr
“A Long Walk” by Jill Scott
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My good friend Mary Anne Morgan is a wonderful photographer and even more of an incredible person. She cares deeply about using her gifts to capture people on film and share a little piece of their story through her beautiful photos! Mary Anne has decided to do something pretty awesome with her gift to bless a couple with a FREE PHOTO SHOOT! She is calling it the “Forever Yours” Valentines Day Contest. Here are the four rules she has listed on her website…
- Couples may nominate themselves and tell why they believe their love will last forever.
- Anyone can nominate another couple and tell why they believe their love will last forever.
- There is no age limit
- Email me your story at maryannemorgan@mac.com or just send it to the contact info on my home page.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a second to check out her post on the contest. Even if you don’t know Mary Anne…DO IT!!! She also has several examples of her work…CLICK THE LINK BELOW!!!!
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Some days are tougher than others. Have you ever been filled with questions and frustration? Well…today as I was listening to my iPod I heard Beyonce AKA Sasha Fierce say something that touched my soul. So I thought…maybe if I shuffle through her body of work…it will help me with all of my troubles. Well…I didn’t want to hog all the answers…so I decided to share the answers that Mrs. Knowles gave me…
Q: Times are really tough. How can I survive in today’s economic climate?
A: You need a real woman in your life (That’s a good look) Taking care, home is still fly (That’s a good look) Imma help you build up your account (That’s a good look, better yet a hood look) - answer from…”Upgrade U”
Q: Sometimes I feel like running away from my problems. What should I do when I feel like life is too much to bear?
A: You can’t stay, you gotta go. Ain’t no other chicks spending your dough – answer from “Ring the Alarm”
Q: I need to lose a few pounds and I cant seem to get motivated to exercise. How do you stay so fit and trim?
A: I ain’t worried doing me tonight, A little sweat ain’t never hurt nobody, While you all standin’ on the wall, I’m the one tonight Getting bodied – answer from “Get Me Bodied”
Q: Going back to our countries financial woes…how are you surviving during this “recession” and what advice can you give to us?
A: Stop the track, lemme state facts: I told you, gimme a minute and I’ll be right back, Fifty million round the world and they say that I couldn’t get it; I done got so sick and filthy with Benjis, I can’t spend it – answer from “Diva”
Q: What are your thoughts concerning our foreign relations with non allied nations. How do you think we should manage potential military competition while also encouraging democratic reforms
A: Let’s go, let’s go Little Kitty Kat. I think its time to go let’s go Little Kitty Kat. He don’t want no mo’ let’s go Little Kitty Kat - answer from “Kitty Kat”
Q: Hmmm…I didn’t quite understand that last answer…but moving on. How about The Earth’s climate? It is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change — a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research? Are there other policies you would support?
A: Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh, Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh - answer from “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)
So there you have it…you shouldn’t have any further stress or worries. If read three times a day this post will change your life and your future. You can thank me later.
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Post title taken from “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder
When I was a kid I always said I wanted to be three things: An Actor, a musician and a psychologist. Here I am some 20+ years later and I am a musician and performer who can be somewhat dramatic at times…and I also love to listen to people and help them feel sane, safe, listened to, cared for and encouraged.
Seems to me that much of who we are today is made up of much of who we were as a child. In this instance I am not referring to baggage or emotional issues…but rather our passions and dreams. Just a thought for today.
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I love these videos. They capture so many different people from all walks of life. The way that these folks are captured on film is absolutely beautiful. The statement at the top of their website simply says “We had an idea. Go to a place. Ask fifty people the same question. Film their responses.” ENJOY!
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Recent thoughts I found from Kanye West. Whether you love him or hate him…dig his music or think it’s garbage…I ask that you mine through his statement for some golden nuggets. Take or leave what you want…this is raw and uncut.
