It is 9:19pm on New Year's Eve...I'm on my couch with the fireplace lit, hubby by my side watching basketball on TV, kids in the basement with their friends playing, and I'm in ultimate chill mode waiting for 2015 to make Her grand appearance! So thankful to be in this place, right here, right now....
As I reflect on 2014, so many things come to mind. This past year clearly exceeded my expectations on every level. Musically and personally there were so many shifts I often felt as though I was in a maze simply trying to find that "straight line" to the prize at the end. With each shift, I was reminded that these shifts are happening not to make me confused or frustrated. They weren't there to keep me from reaching goals. They were there to push me to live and journey in a different way than I had perceived to be true. I've learned to trust shift. I've learned that as long as I'm living my life authentically, the shifts are happening as a way to create a more fruitful life. My humanness cannot navigate life on its own. Our souls are our truest compasses; we must surrender and trust the direction they are trying to take us. So many times, I've sat and been like "OMG! Doing all of this is just too much!" And then, a shift appears that allows me to fulfill whatever it is that feels overwhelming. Whether it be needing a sitter so I can have time to work on my music, or needing more time to complete my "to-do" list (or at least to get 75% of it done!), or simply needing a moment of stillness so I can regroup...some how, some way, a window opens every time the door closes.
I have learned that life is a continuum of shifts that calls us to increase our awareness of who we are and how we must live. The shifts are not barricades. They are vehicles to push us to live life with deeper meaning. We are not blind to the shifts, even though we try to be. The big "D" word...DENIAL! And we often see the shift and go bury ourselves in something that has nothing to do with where our soul is trying to push us. Facing conflict, pushing through tough relationships, overcoming fears...these are all shifts that are trying to improve who we are.
Six years ago, one of the most significant shifts presented itself in front of me. It was this shift that pushed me to re-evaluate everything in my life. My entire value/belief system was being challenged and it was affecting my ability to engage fully in my personal relationships, my family, and myself. I finally surrendered...and ever since, I've learned it is essential that we heed to the call of "shift". If we are to live our best lives, we must accept change and be willing to show up no matter how overwhelming the change may be. This doesn't simply mean we must "be strong"...in fact, sometimes we have to allow our weaknesses to prevail so that we can learn more about who we are and where are true strengths exist.
My theme for 2015 is "paradigm shifter". Now that I value the beauty of "shifting", I realize that I must grow into the next level of me. I don't consider myself very traditional...but, I am very methodical. Meaning, I like to challenge norms, but I like to do so with order. As I embark on an extremely unfamiliar journey of releasing a brand new full length album/CD in a way I've never done, I see clearly it will not be simple. In fact, as an independent artist, I will have to not only think outside of the box, but I may have to get under, over, to the left, to the right, and do cartwheels everywhere BUT near that box! This will not be easy...but it will be necessary and fundamental in chasing the many dreams I have...another shift!
I will continue to seek physical and mental wellness for this is the foundation of who I am. But, I feel another level coming my way...one that is way more demanding, but also way more rewarding and enriching. I encourage you to accept life's shift and be willing to ride the tide and LIVE! You will feel crazy, you will feel overwhelmed, and you will feel like "huh?"...and that's exactly where you should be- that is the attention your spirit is trying to get. I don't know your next moves, but your soul does. Try to get still so that you can receive the lesson. Take a deep breath in....deep breath out....shift...and LIVE!
Happy New Year! Enjoy the many blessings 2015 will have to offer you:-)
As I reflect on 2014, so many things come to mind. This past year clearly exceeded my expectations on every level. Musically and personally there were so many shifts I often felt as though I was in a maze simply trying to find that "straight line" to the prize at the end. With each shift, I was reminded that these shifts are happening not to make me confused or frustrated. They weren't there to keep me from reaching goals. They were there to push me to live and journey in a different way than I had perceived to be true. I've learned to trust shift. I've learned that as long as I'm living my life authentically, the shifts are happening as a way to create a more fruitful life. My humanness cannot navigate life on its own. Our souls are our truest compasses; we must surrender and trust the direction they are trying to take us. So many times, I've sat and been like "OMG! Doing all of this is just too much!" And then, a shift appears that allows me to fulfill whatever it is that feels overwhelming. Whether it be needing a sitter so I can have time to work on my music, or needing more time to complete my "to-do" list (or at least to get 75% of it done!), or simply needing a moment of stillness so I can regroup...some how, some way, a window opens every time the door closes.
I have learned that life is a continuum of shifts that calls us to increase our awareness of who we are and how we must live. The shifts are not barricades. They are vehicles to push us to live life with deeper meaning. We are not blind to the shifts, even though we try to be. The big "D" word...DENIAL! And we often see the shift and go bury ourselves in something that has nothing to do with where our soul is trying to push us. Facing conflict, pushing through tough relationships, overcoming fears...these are all shifts that are trying to improve who we are.
Six years ago, one of the most significant shifts presented itself in front of me. It was this shift that pushed me to re-evaluate everything in my life. My entire value/belief system was being challenged and it was affecting my ability to engage fully in my personal relationships, my family, and myself. I finally surrendered...and ever since, I've learned it is essential that we heed to the call of "shift". If we are to live our best lives, we must accept change and be willing to show up no matter how overwhelming the change may be. This doesn't simply mean we must "be strong"...in fact, sometimes we have to allow our weaknesses to prevail so that we can learn more about who we are and where are true strengths exist.
My theme for 2015 is "paradigm shifter". Now that I value the beauty of "shifting", I realize that I must grow into the next level of me. I don't consider myself very traditional...but, I am very methodical. Meaning, I like to challenge norms, but I like to do so with order. As I embark on an extremely unfamiliar journey of releasing a brand new full length album/CD in a way I've never done, I see clearly it will not be simple. In fact, as an independent artist, I will have to not only think outside of the box, but I may have to get under, over, to the left, to the right, and do cartwheels everywhere BUT near that box! This will not be easy...but it will be necessary and fundamental in chasing the many dreams I have...another shift!
I will continue to seek physical and mental wellness for this is the foundation of who I am. But, I feel another level coming my way...one that is way more demanding, but also way more rewarding and enriching. I encourage you to accept life's shift and be willing to ride the tide and LIVE! You will feel crazy, you will feel overwhelmed, and you will feel like "huh?"...and that's exactly where you should be- that is the attention your spirit is trying to get. I don't know your next moves, but your soul does. Try to get still so that you can receive the lesson. Take a deep breath in....deep breath out....shift...and LIVE!
Happy New Year! Enjoy the many blessings 2015 will have to offer you:-)