Audiophile

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“Where words fail, music speaks.” -Hans Christian Andersen

Music has been my constant companion. It was with me all throughout high school shaping my social life, and it wafted through my room the entire time I lay in a coma. I have played inside of a sonic landscape since before I was born; dancing to songs with my Mother while still inside Her tummy. For the record, my “first dance,” was P.Y.T by Michael Jackson. Since then my feet have found the ground and I continue to dance. I’ve danced through most of school, my family life, and even now during recovery. Without dancing, all these years I’d have just been standing still, stagnant. However, those little black notes have pushed me through to victory after victory. A sure outward sign that I was improving was when I started being interested in music again. It has been entwined with the neurons in my brain; each song sparking a vivid memory, an imagined music video sequence, or feelings of elation. Music has not only influenced my life so much as it has dictated it. Friends came and went by route of the current albums I was into. We found our identities and a common ground contained within flat round compact discs, or vinyl if you were “really cool.” Even when there was a question concerning the integrity of my memory after a severe stroke, I still remembered everyone’s faces and all my favorite musical artists. The power of music runs deep my friend. There remains few people that can put into words exactly what music communicates. That’s exactly why our souls need it; Because, it communicates what mere words cannot. Indeed as an adolescent I held to the belief that a particularly well homemade mix tape could cause you to fall in love with someone, the music you enjoyed said almost more about you then the way you dressed, and to die and become a music note would be of the utmost honor. Because, if your spirit could inhabit the form of a music note, you’d touch people’s lives and live on in beautiful symphonies forever. Not to mention, once you fall in love with rock n’ roll, it’s difficult to find other people that share your enthusiasm. However, when you do, you know you’ve got an instant friend and you’re held together by the invisible threads of sound. Therefore, don’t discount its power, and keep on singing even when it rains. Especially when life gets difficult if you continue to sing, those invisible threads will pull you through.

I leave you with a song, enjoy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTOC_q0NLTk&w=560&h=315%5D

sing it out!

bleu

February 22, 2016

# Goals

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“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

-Zig Ziglar.

This one is for you single Moms that went back to school and got your degree, to the Dad that finally lost his gut, the young girl who nailed that cart wheel, and the grandma that braved a community college class in a subject She was really interested in. These people have their goals on lock down, and understand that as long as your alive on this earth you can achieve goals and create new ones. When I first discovered The Sketchbook Project, I immediately jumped on it. However, due to a fast paced lifestyle I never managed to complete it. The project is a globally concerted effort, with art sent in from all over the world. You can learn more about it —> here. While my blank sketchbooks in 2011 and 2012( I attempted it twice) languished untouched in my apartment while I attended to other matters… Sooner than later(time flies) the year 2016 rolled around and I found myself in the process of a recovery from a near death experience. I also was unemployed with considerable stretches of time to fill and in need of some positive distraction. Yet again I found myself participating in the sketchbook project, but this time I was going to finish it. The third time really is a charm apparently. You can’t always wait for the “right time,” to accomplish something, often the right time is right now. Many times you’ll find that somehow things happen at the right time when your patient, positive, and active in working towards your goal. We can’t control or make everything happen when we want, but we can certainly put the wheels in motion. What that single Mom, little girl, and Dad all understand is that with perseverance and determination you can reach your goals. It doesn’t matter when you start, it’s that you begin and there’s no time like the present. Don’t be afraid of failure because failure is a good teacher, and most certainly don’t predict that you’ll fail before you even start!

Just begin,

bleu

July 28, 2015

What a World of Whimsy

“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age,which means never losing your enthusiasm.” -Aldous Huxley.

Those of us who manage to hold onto our childlike wonder, become like a magnet,and light to others. It is with the simple joys of a child that life becomes and remains magical. Why is it that imagination(or creativity) is so often scolded rather than fostered? It seems that the World is uncomfortable with the daydreamers. However, before We are able to do anything we must imagine it first. No great feat(personal or otherwise) has been accomplished by following the rules,playing it safe,or by thinking within the box. Unfortunately people like to see others fail, rather than flourish. Therefore, they try to negate the grand ideas of dreamers. Whether it’s by telling you that you cannot accomplish something or children in school(a rigid place) teasing the often aloof daydreamer of the group. The more opposition you’re met with is a clue that your on the right track. Although, it’s unwise to be bullheaded and stubborn. At any rate, just don’t give up on your dreams. It is known that fear and doubt only serve to derail you,so ignore those false directions! Surround yourself with that which is good, and turn a blind eye to the doubters. Life is far too short to waste any time with the fears of someone else. Fill your mind with encouragement and positive thoughts. It helps tremendously to fix your thoughts on what is true,honorable,right,pure,lovely,and admirable(Phil 4:8). Personally I’ve found that by just having lovely thoughts and objects around me, it makes a difference. More recently I acquired an old 1960’s vanity, which I filled with lovely objects that lift my spirit,either with memories or simply their aesthetic. We(family) refinished it back to it’s original splendor, and then I proceeded to decorate it with what makes me feel good(see below). Some people create shrines to a specific God,but I think it also worthy to create a shrine to all that makes you feel good(an idea here)whether, you choose a physical collection of objects, or a vision board you cannot go wrong. Before something can manifest in the physical, it’s imperative we visualize it,and this is why imagination is so vital to the human experience. Dear friends,don’t be swayed by the cares of this world,because if you let it,it will choke the dreams from behind your eyelids. Therefore, keep your eyes set on the sky above,and shoot for the moon!

No doubts,

Here is a peek at my “shrine.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEusoSyYK7k&w=560&h=315%5D

December 18, 2014

Graffiti in the Temple

“Life is a blank canvas and you need to throw all the paint on it you can.” -Danny
Kaye.
If the Bible says to keep your body clean as a temple then I suppose I’m in trouble.Usually I write about more serious or inspiring subjects.However as the holidays get thrust upon us and lurch ever closer,just like recess why not have some relaxing fun!?
Over the years,whenever I had to do a historical report or speech I would choose the subject of tattooing(sometimes vegetarianism) because I found that a once taboo art form reserved for Sailors and Prisoners was interesting.Also not to mention it can be pretty if done right.

Photo:Torrie Blake on Tumblr) Her leg piece!

I fully plan to get yet another(#8) to mark the experience of nearly dying and surviving to

begin a recovery with a flowing phoenix surrounded by peach and robins egg blue flowers.What’s more, thanks to the mention from a friend I plan on earning the money for it myself doing a small humble(but paid!) job.It may take awhile but it will only make it even more meaningful.Because,I wasn’t expected to live much less work a job! If our bodies are temples then you can call me a graffiti artist.

Photo: art by Banksy)

In closing,dear readers don’t be afraid to express yourself! Life is too short to worry about what other people think.

Be you Be beautiful,