1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. So stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 1

0. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. 1

2. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, Will this matter?’’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything .

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

 37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone Else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is y et to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

 45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

I lay here in the dark tonight listening to a private concert featuring one of my idols Ada Dyer. There are so many phenominal vocalists out there who are so deserving of our ear. Ada is one of those women. Her name should be a household name. Her talent is astronomical. I could sing for the next 1o0 years and never be a great as she is.  Her ability to interpret a piece is breathtaking.

 Take a listen and tell me about your earmusical experience with this woman: http://www.myspace.com/adadyermusic.

It’s the norm for me to stay up late – unfortunately.  It’s 11:44 pm – almost Sunday. 

In the studio we resolved our internet connections once and for all.  We got a wireless router and instead of it being very, very simple to set up, it was complicated.  After a couple of hours of things just not working, we gave up.  A trip to the store netted us a simple non-wireless router.  Simple.  Plug it in, plug everything else in.  It’s all set now.  All of the computers are on the internet at the same time without constant calls to the cable company to have them send a signal to their modem.  Hurray!  Major accomplishment for the day.

For some reason, my left knee decided to swell up immensely three days ago.   A friend gave me an accupunture treatment.  I understand that the needles pinch when they’re inserted.  Ouch.  Other than that, I have to let whatever it is run its course while I apply BenGay, Tiger Balm and walk with a cane in an attempt to reduce the weight on it. 

Musically, I’m working on a new fast song.  Writing lyrics is coming more easily now as I take many moments throughout the day to listen to what is being sung to me and given to me.  Everything is a matter of practice and I’m getting back up to speed with it all. 

My youngest son has spent the last 24 hours listening to all the Michael Jackson concerts and videos that have been running non-stop on television.  Michael Jackson was before his time, but of course he knows about him, knows his music and has respect for this awesome god who gave us so much.  My son is an artist too and I am grateful that he is making a connection with this icon’s art.  I am sure he will find a way to incorporate it into his own as he grows.  Michael we all miss you and are so grateful for what you’ve given us.

Well, time to go to sleep.  It’s off to the studio again early in the morning.

Yes, everyone is talking about and blogging about the loss of a King, a God – THE greatest entertainer that ever lived.

Michael Jackson was gifted – extremely gifted. He had men and women fainting at his concerts that drew hundreds of thousands all over the world. He gave generously to many causes.

I can’t believe he’s gone. I have a conspiracy theory. I believe he assisted out of this life like many of our other great African Americans. He should have stayed out of the U.S. But, alas, doesn’t matter. Though he’s gone, his greatness and the things that he’s done remain and stand as his truth. That can’t be taken away.

I am grateful to have had an opportunity to see him perform live. I will keep the joy of that experience with me always.

Pleasant journey to you Michael. I will love you always.

Tomaca

The music update – trashed a song today.  It happens often.  Hit the delete button.  On to the next tune. 

I got home from the studio, answered a few emails and poof!  before I knew it, it was 11:00 pm.  Need more time in the day.

Two weeks ago the catalytic converter went on my van. This weekend, it’s the starter. I turn the key Saturday morning and get nothing by an annoying click, click, click griding sound. It’s obvious the starter’s gone. So, Saturday, no studio time. Bummer.

I borrowed a car to get there for Sunday. The administrative work consisted of getting outlook email on-line for one of the computers.  I still have to get the wireless router up and running, but meanwhile, we just connect directly into the modem.   

Musically, I started lyrics for a new song.  I can write simple R&B type songs in a heartbeat.  Love songs galore are easy.  But, knowing the world is in so much pain, my efforts are to write about that.  It takes me a little more time because I want to write about it very creatively.  I want people to hear the lyrics and think about it.  Sometimes I get a little too abstract with the words and I am afraid the meaning will be interpreted incorrectly.  So, I am putting a lot of effort into the style. 

This evening, I walked through my aerobic workout because I injured my back and have to rebuild slowly.  I listened to more music and then chose not to turn on the idiot tube.  Television just has crap on it all the time and I am so tired of only seeing white actors and actresses.  Don’t take this as a prejudiced statement, but I’d like to see little Black kids have fantasy adventures, I’d like to see a Chinese couple have a whirlwind romance and give me a story about a wealthy Puerto Rican family.  ETC.!   There is no diversity in American television.  And I am sick and tired of all the pharmaceutical commercials.  I hate that commercials are broadcast so much louder than the actual program that you are watching.  That’s extremely annoying.  So, I lay here in the dark and listen to the quiet rain falling and the crickets.  I have a fan in my window just to move the air through the room and have to listen beyond the hum to hear the outside night world.  But, I hear it and it’s full of life and beautiful.  Music for reflection!

Some exciting news:

US SENATE VOTES FORMAL APOLOGY FOR SLAVERY

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Senate approved a fiercely worded resolution Thursday formally apologizing for the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery” of African-Americans.

The unanimous voice vote came five months after Barack Obama became the first black US president, and ahead of the June 19 “Juneteenth” celebration of the emancipation of African-Americans at the end of the US Civil War in 1865.

House of Representatives approval, which could come as early as next week, would make it the first time the entire US Congress has formally apologized on behalf of the American people for one of the grimmest wrongs in US history.

Read the full article here:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090618/pl_afp/uscongressslaverypolitics

I leave you with a quote from Siddhartha:

Not a single person is born in the world who has not a certain capacity which will make him proud, who is not pregnant with something to produce, to give birth to something new and beautiful, to make the existence richer.  There is not a single person who has come into the world empty.     – Osho

There was a time in my life where I sought and craved fame and fortune.  No more.  Now I crave for peace in the world.  I crave food for the hungry and I cry for the inhumanity in man.

It is now 1:00 a.m. Saturday.   I spent time in the studio watching the master compose another piece.  I listen to my own piece that he created for me to find my place in it. 

Early in the morning  – about 4:30 am, dozens of birds start singing.  There are so many different tweets and chirps that create the bird orchestra, and none of them seem out of place.  As I listen, I to try to pay attention to which one goes first, then next and then who echoes that one.  I’m sure there’s a pattern – or am I?  It’s beyond my little mind’s understanding.  But, it is a beautiful symphony that welcomes the sun as it rises.  When the light covers the area in full, the birds disperse and go off about their day.  I am always saddened when the collective concert is over.  I’d like it to continue  and to carry me through my own day. 

There is a symphony in life.  Each of us carries their own music.  Our hearts beat, lungs breathe, eyes blink … all of these intricate little sounds that are oblivious to us but are part of the sound of the universe.  My goal is to create a harmonious sound, much like the early morning bird symphony.  Everything in harmony within me so that the things outside of me, which are also part of me, blend like beautiful theme music for my dance of life.

It is my prayer that mankind as a whole can find it within to be like the bird symphony.  All different kinds, all different colors, all different purposes that come together to create beautiful vibrations.

Do you enjoy listening to birds?

It’s a new experience for me.  I read the daily emails from Tricycle, I read Joel Osteen every day – inspirational pieces to inspire reflection and quiet time.

They’re waiting for my music in the UK. Oh, to create the sounds that I hear around me; the joy of adding my voice to the music that flows like a babbling brook. To be a part of it is so joyful.

I am ever grateful to my producer for spending the time, for having the patience and for working with me. Though I’ve learned from all of the people and situations that I’ve experienced in the past, I have learned the most from this spiritual master who considers music to be a prayer. It has been a challenging three years, which is how long I’ve worked with him. I’ve driven him crazy because often I just didn’t understand what he was trying to get me to understand… But, once one concept hit home, the rest flowed through as if a wall had been pulled down inside my mind. I was blind, but now I see; deaf, but now I hear.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.