I heard on the radio that this week marks the midpoint of summer- and the hottest week of the year. The air is thick here in Austin, TX, and it seems appropriate that my life is moving at an elephants pace during these languid days. I am adjusting. I've been learning how to move though the water, easing into a less familiar element at beautiful Barton Springs. Its strange that my body is comprised of so much water, yet I have never wanted to get too close, to jump in, heaven forbid to get my face and head wet. (Also its much colder where I'm from, with summer temperatures in the 70s and water usually in the 50s. No thank you.)
This past year has been all about jumping in, and yet I find myself at a moment of pause among the action. I have so many projects and processes to traverse as I prepare to release my EP and play more gigs, yet I must attend to the details of the moment. This month I'll spend 2 weeks in Washington, playing gigs, attending and playing at weddings, and catching up with family and friends. As soon as I get back I'm moving into a new studio and jumping into a busy September of weekend festival work (+ my day job, of course.) Among all of that, I have a huge list of music-related goals. I continue to repeat the mantra- "I'm right on time." Because I am. I make the rules for my life, I hold the reins. I'm choosing to live close to my joy every day, to allow the music to lift and take me where I'm going. I can try to force it all to happen, but I'm quite enjoying watching it unfold from my front porch rocking chair while I sip lemonade and pick the guitar.
While my tendency is toward introversion, I feel myself longing to play with others. I am slowly envisioning the band I want to create (one of the tasks on my to-do list.) I feel drawn to step out of Be and into Do, but I'm in no hurry because I'm learning to blend the two. I need both sides balanced to join this dance in a way that allows me to stay in step, and play well with others. I seek to work with committed and passionate professionals pursuing excellence in musical performance. (they must also appreciate/tolerate puns and gleeful alliteration.) As the leader of the band, I want to run a worthy ship. The life of a professional musician involves much travel, showing up shining all over the world. The people I see do this best have cultivated a deep and grounded confidence and presence in themselves. They know who they are, love what they do, and they are deeply committed to the humans they make music with. And everyone listening can tell. Being in a band is like being married. Sure, you can get a divorce. But I'd rather not. I'd prefer to naturally find the right partner(s) to live, work, travel, and grow with. I feel the slow creation and release of my first album is actually helping me evolve, as I step deeper into myself as a performer and artist, and continue to meet excellent musicians.
Right on time.
And now, some advice from my inner yogi cheerleader, NamasDaisy:
Slow down. Do something today that makes you feel alive. Go somewhere you've never been before.Take a walk and breathe the air. Drive a different way to get where you're going. Drink tea. Get gelato. Turn up the music and dance (you get bonus points for dancing naked.) Create a ritual. Have some sex (please, just do it.) Be kind to the humans you see. Wish the Negative Nancys joy when they're cutting you off in traffic and frowning at your frisk. I like to think we're all trying our best. We all just need more love.
Happy weekend, y'all! <3
(photo taken by your truly at Puma Springs Vineyard, Healdsburg, CA.
This past year has been all about jumping in, and yet I find myself at a moment of pause among the action. I have so many projects and processes to traverse as I prepare to release my EP and play more gigs, yet I must attend to the details of the moment. This month I'll spend 2 weeks in Washington, playing gigs, attending and playing at weddings, and catching up with family and friends. As soon as I get back I'm moving into a new studio and jumping into a busy September of weekend festival work (+ my day job, of course.) Among all of that, I have a huge list of music-related goals. I continue to repeat the mantra- "I'm right on time." Because I am. I make the rules for my life, I hold the reins. I'm choosing to live close to my joy every day, to allow the music to lift and take me where I'm going. I can try to force it all to happen, but I'm quite enjoying watching it unfold from my front porch rocking chair while I sip lemonade and pick the guitar.
While my tendency is toward introversion, I feel myself longing to play with others. I am slowly envisioning the band I want to create (one of the tasks on my to-do list.) I feel drawn to step out of Be and into Do, but I'm in no hurry because I'm learning to blend the two. I need both sides balanced to join this dance in a way that allows me to stay in step, and play well with others. I seek to work with committed and passionate professionals pursuing excellence in musical performance. (they must also appreciate/tolerate puns and gleeful alliteration.) As the leader of the band, I want to run a worthy ship. The life of a professional musician involves much travel, showing up shining all over the world. The people I see do this best have cultivated a deep and grounded confidence and presence in themselves. They know who they are, love what they do, and they are deeply committed to the humans they make music with. And everyone listening can tell. Being in a band is like being married. Sure, you can get a divorce. But I'd rather not. I'd prefer to naturally find the right partner(s) to live, work, travel, and grow with. I feel the slow creation and release of my first album is actually helping me evolve, as I step deeper into myself as a performer and artist, and continue to meet excellent musicians.
Right on time.
And now, some advice from my inner yogi cheerleader, NamasDaisy:
Slow down. Do something today that makes you feel alive. Go somewhere you've never been before.Take a walk and breathe the air. Drive a different way to get where you're going. Drink tea. Get gelato. Turn up the music and dance (you get bonus points for dancing naked.) Create a ritual. Have some sex (please, just do it.) Be kind to the humans you see. Wish the Negative Nancys joy when they're cutting you off in traffic and frowning at your frisk. I like to think we're all trying our best. We all just need more love.
Happy weekend, y'all! <3
(photo taken by your truly at Puma Springs Vineyard, Healdsburg, CA.