My Life in Motion
As I grow older, I am becoming more confident in myself and in all the decisions I choose to make. I have spent too much time second-guessing myself and discounting my instincts only to find out that I was on to something all along.
It takes a certain degree of fortitude to stay true to oneself, and I am consciously laying down that brickwork every day.
Currently, I am completely engrossed in how I live every day, and I link these days together toward a future I hope to have. I bend them to my will because now I understand that it is my birthright to do so.
A person’s actions will say all they need to say. What do mine say about me?
My Creative Life
I play music every day. My keyboard is where my hands and my thoughts roam freely. I sing more fully now than I used to. This is where I feel the most vulnerable, empowered, and alive.
As previously announced here on WPR, I am releasing new music this fall. My song Vampire will be accompanied by a lively music video. This will be an instance in which all of my creative powers will be on full display. In an artistic sense, I hope it is a sign of things to come. More details are forthcoming.
I love to problem-solve. I did not know I did until recently, but I do it constantly and instinctually. Filmmaking, as I have come to learn, is 98% problem-solving. Something often falls apart or ends up not being what was envisioned. We figure out a workaround and constantly start over. (It is hard work.) Whenever I enter a room I have never come across before, I suss out in my head the ways that its design does not serve its function. Solutions give me joy when I find them, and in this regard, I am an eager hunter.
Last weekend, I performed with my band at BoroPride in Murfreesboro, TN. In addition to planning out the music, I enjoyed putting together my outfit, and for the first time, I did my own makeup. I used a lotion/foundation that was suited to darker skin, and I applied some eyeliner to make a cat-eye effect. The look was minimal but successful. I actually felt beautiful, which is kind of rare. My mission was accomplished, and I had fun. In pictures, I look like a samurai ready to conquer. I am okay with this.
Part of my very colorful costume for BoroPride I have been experimenting with a recipe for banana bread. With my minimal experience as a baker, this has been a fun and delicious pursuit. I want the recipe to be simple and easy but for the result to feel like home (or a warm blanket or a hug) in your mouth. I am getting close.
My banana bread only lasts a few hours before it is gone.
Self-Care
It is no secret that I love to take naps, but lately, I have permitted myself to sleep in when I feel exhausted. As much as I love my early mornings, I have learned to listen to my body and concede to its fatigue when necessary. Rest is a key ingredient in an active, meaningful life.
Speaking of sleep, I often wake up late at night and have trouble getting back to sleep. I have decided to go ahead and read a book or watch some Netflix when this happens. Stressing out and trying to force myself to sleep makes my night even worse. Instead, I chillax by doing something easy, and the sleep takes care of itself.
I am back on a regular walking routine. The heat of summer was so stifling that I stopped my daily walks for a while. Now that autumn abounds, I love stretching my legs and surrounding myself with nature. Lately, it’s been a quick 20- to 30- minute walk. The fresh air does me a lot of good.
I drink water as much as I can. Particularly since I am prone to allergies and chest congestion, it helps my body regulate itself and flush out what I do not need. Lately, I have been hydrating from a little bottle that resembles a flask. It fits easily in the pockets of my jacket and bag. I sip on it often and take it everywhere. I promise that it is not gin.
More often than not, social media feels like my nemesis. Its algorithms are so gifted at ensnaring my attention that I have surrendered far too much of it. Sharing my life and work here on WPR instead of Facebook and Instagram has been one strategy, but I have been actively limiting my time on these platforms. This is a constant struggle, but I have some strategies I am mapping out in the next few weeks. This is a problem I am most eager to solve.
Chopin
Many of you will remember that I rescued three kittens from the side of the road not far from my mailbox last July. I found two of them loving forever homes, and I kept one. His name is Chopin, and he is growing into a beautiful, lively, and super-fluffy boy.
At least once a week, I get him on a leash and drive him out somewhere. Usually, I take him to my mom’s place in Nashville or out to town on a quick errand.
He falls asleep while I drive.
Mostly, he seems happy and healthy. I still have no idea how big he will get, but I cannot wait to find out.
Home
Work continues on my Japanese-inspired tea garden. In this cooler weather, there will be more that I can do. Right now, I am covering the ground with cardboard to prepare it for the top layer of river rock. This is going to be quite an undertaking.
The house we live in is big, with numerous nooks and crannies that need attention. Instead of tackling it all at once, I focus on just one area daily. On a more consistent basis, I stay on top of keeping our kitchen in order. It truly is the heart of our home, and I love all the food that comes from it.
This fall, I hope to make weekly trips to thrift stores to donate lots of stuff I no longer need. I am calling it an exercise in the art of subtraction. I have too much stuff that I am sure many other people can utilize.
All of the above addresses my needs of today and my desires for the future. I do not know entirely what any of it says about me.
Am I resilient?
Sure. Probably.
Am I actively figuring things out?
Certainly.
What I am aiming for is building my sense of strength. This will serve me now and in the future.
Do I want fortitude?
Yes.
Most definitely, unequivocally, yes.
P.S. For those of you who live in the greater Nashville area or in Sarasota, Florida, here are my upcoming shows:
12/03/2023: the French House in Nashville, TN
12/10/2023: Piano Sessions at Aviva in Sarasota, FL
Please mark your calendars and come out to a show!
I have been regularly undergoing acupuncture treatments for my intense allergies and psoriasis. I go to a place nearby called Mountain Path Healing Arts Studio that is owned by my friend Bashi. This place is successfully designed to be a calming oasis, and my treatment always feels like an hour-long vacation and a deeply satisfying nap.
Self-care is as much an art form as it is a necessity. Being in this space and experiencing these treatments feel like both. To be inspired and healed all at once is such a gift.
To listen to my music, watch my films, or see my visual art, please visit:
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