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My pp b&winternal motto for 5 years has been: “Use my Voice to show others how to use their Voice.”
For me this is about singing, teaching people to sing and leading others into a social justice, cause or revitalization of their own thinking. With a rise in the suicide rate, illness and crazy political talk, it is time to seek a True Self.  Look around, there are many people ready to join you in finding a more authentic path.
Recently, I watched several interviews and videos of Prince, who died April 21, 2016.  Prince’s death is overwhelming to me because I can not take in the reality that his calm, energizing spirit of musical and spiritual brilliance will no longer energize this planet.  Prince has influenced me my entire life.  I am encouraged by his ability to get things done, produce excellence and live calmly.  He is spirit.
All this has rejuvenated MY purpose in life.  I have several “half-baked” projects I am creating.  In the next few weeks, I must finish them, allow them to grow and thrive!  I must remember that I am also energy and story and gift.  Not to others specifically, but as a creation.  There are things to be done and to say and more stories to be written.  With this inspiration, I am on the hook to get things done.  Let’s see what the spring brings.
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crevasse everestToday, I am writing down my business plan for a 2nd adventure.  I have read many books and today I step over the great crevasse of fear to put my own words into the universe.  What a quiet thrill to see my future ignite before me.  Failure is possible….or not.  That is why I do it!
I share this because I know in business, fun, faith, music, life – we are all connected.  I need your encouragement and hope my ideas will encourage you.  Not encouragement in the form of a phone call or pat on the back.  But as an accountability.  If I post a goal out for all to see, I am starting the clock to make it work.  So here I go!

To follow a dream is to express myself.  I acknowledge the possibility of failure in its outcome but I don’t consider taking a leap of faith as failure.  If a project fails, stalls or succeeds, I count it all as a learning experience.  I do believe we need to feel the feelings of failure in order to understand our ability.  When I succeed, failure is still a central part of it.  It is my comparison, my reference. As I teach students to sing, I also let them know the risks, highs and lows.  But “risk” is another post topic.

Your work is not too much for you to handle.  Take it one step at a time.  Today, I began by finding the right pickaxe, the right latter and then I took 1 step after another.  That 1 step is success.

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On my refrigerator I keep a quote from a wise human. By wise, I mean studied, experienced and fearless in life’s action even though he was afraid.  It reads, “Stop worrying about whether you’re effective or important, Worry about what is possible for you to do, Which is always much greater than you imagine!”  This statement or call is both huge and humbling but exact in its ability to inspire.

The idea of focusing on what I can do each day to effect the world and those around me seems like an authentic approach to being my best self.  But doesn’t my culture expect me to conjure up some impact that I am not gifted to give? Exactly…. When I take a moment to calmly think about what my gift is and then offer that –  I offer 100% of myself and rest 100% in that offering.  I don’t have to carry around the tired virtue of guilt – or settle into a self-defeating spirit.  I can walk humbly knowing that I am impacting the world (song) with my unique call (voice).

Another important voice in my life asks, “Do we waste time when we try to be effective rather than faithful?”  What if we carry with us the gift we have and offer it simply?  What if we can be present in a lesson or meeting, with a friend, in a rehearsal or event. My effort is transformed into a faithful presence which makes a big impact.  Consider not just stabbing the dark with a cause. Consider your faithful presence – it is enough.