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I have been thinking a lot about “thriving.” Four months ago, I was opening for Skip Marley at the Necker Cup after winning VI Music Prize. In the months that followed, I opened for Keller Williams at Maho Crossroads and performed for the second year in a row at VI Jam Fest. I was having very productive conversations about co-writing for other artists and it felt like life had shifted into full on forward motion in the direction of all that I had spent nearly a decade working towards. Needless to say, I felt like I was thriving.

Now, I have spent a month at home and I have been wondering if I can describe this time as such. Can I truly “thrive” in confinement? And I think that the answer is yes. I think it is a matter of moving the goal line. Previously, I struggled to find time for regular exercise and meditation, and now I have the opportunity to come out of this stronger, healthier and more flexible in body and mind. I found myself lacking time to write new music and learn new songs for my gigs. I could come out of this with a fresh setlist and more original tunes. I could, I could, I could…the list goes on and on. There are things that I could be better at when all of this is said and done, and I can bring that version of me along when I return to the parts of life that have been put on pause. But will I? I hope so. If I can do that, then I think that I can definitely say that I spent this time thriving.

I know that everyone has different situations in the midst of all of this. Some are still heading out to do essential work. Some are home with families. Some are doing this completely solo. Some can work from home. Some have been displaced from their jobs. For each of us, thriving looks very different, but I believe that it is achievable because we get to set our own individual goal line. How are you thriving these days?

Photo credit: Manuela Davies courtesy of Premier Live

 

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Social media has an algorithm. As a business page on Facebook and Instagram, you are given statistics for every post that you share. When I share a mermaid photo, it typically reaches some thousands of feeds. Yesterday, I shared a post with a message for which I feel so very passionately, and it’s reach was minimal at best. Well, this mermaid at heart has something to get off of her chest…Be Nice!

Take #2…
POLITICS OF KINDNESS
I believe in promoting what is good in the world rather than bashing what I do not agree with. I believe in focusing on finding solutions rather than pouring further energy into problems. I believe that civilized dialogue leads to creative and effective solutions. I believe that you can disagree with someone and still be kind to them. I believe that it is within the context of kindness and civility that people can be heard and solutions can be found. I believe in a world full of possibilities that account for diversity and differing opinions. With considerate discourse and discussion we can truly hear one another and productive change can unfold. With hatred, bullying, and cruelty comes defensiveness, closed minds, and perpetuation of more hatred, bullying, and cruelty. I believe that there is no such thing as “righteous” hatred. One person’s hate is not better, or more justified, than another person’s hate. It’s just hate. I choose not to add fuel to that fire. I believe that just as hate begets hate, so too does kindness beget kindness. I choose to be kind.

#bekind

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Some days, living my best life means sitting on a dock in the BVI soaking up the sun.
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Some days, it means sitting with my guitar and writing a new song.
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Some days, it means sitting in front of my laptop and designing a webpage or new merchandise.
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It all lights me up! What lights you up?

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The moment that I opened my eyes this morning there was a song running thru my head. That happens to me a lot. The other day it was “Shiny” from Moana. Lol. Today it was “Give Love” by Andy Grammer – I have no doubt this was a result of my soul soothing evening on the water last night.
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I had a very productive work day planned but every time I sat down in front of my laptop the song took my attention away from the “business” of the day. So, I picked up my guitar and decided to figure out the tune instead. Singing it over and over put me in such a good mood that I wanted to share it with you all – a little something to encourage everyone midweek.
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I expected it to be quick and painless to shoot a simple video on my porch. Not so much. Continue reading “UNFILTERED”

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🎶 Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination 🎶

As I begin to sort through hundreds of videos and photographs from VI Jam Fest I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. For years now, my daydreams have included imaginings of my part in a musical lineup with artists that I love and admire…and in those dreams I was always here on the island. Thanks to the vision of Cruz Bay Music and Moe Angelo of Becoming The Lotus – along with the hard work and support of so many amazing people – that daydream is now a reality. To all the performers and all the helping hands, THANK YOU FOR THE MAGIC.

“I prefer the company of happy people who are believers in magic…and of magical people who are believers in happy.” -unknown

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I love hats – literally and metaphorically, which is good because being my own boss means wearing all of them. Besides writing and performing my own music, I design and maintain my website and social media accounts. I edit photos and artwork for merchandise, ads, promotions, posts and whatever else pops up along the way. There are a few other roles that are far more adult-y (management, accounting, and what not) but basically I spend hours and hours every day CREATING and I love it. And I am beyond grateful that I have been able to build a career around it. To each and every one of you who supports me by downloading and streaming online, buying albums, purchasing merchandise, and simply following along, watching the videos, checking out the photos and taking the time to read the posts, THANK YOU. Without all of you I could not spend my days doing what I love. Thank you all for enabling my love of hats. 😉

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Back in June, John and Michelle Hale unknowingly offered me my dream job. I had been hoping for some time to find an opportunity to perform all original sets on a regular basis. I could never have imagined that I would get to do it on the water…at sunset!

The music that I write comes from a deep desire to uplift others and share a message of kindness, hope, and joyful living. I wanted the chance to share the stories that have inspired that intention and spread the music in a more intimate setting. When John reached out to ask if I would like to perform on S/V Second Chance, I mentioned the songwriter-storyteller concept and he was all in. I can hardly put into words the impact that these performances have had on me. Needless to say, the setting never ceases to take my breath away. However, the people who have come aboard and shared these magical evenings are the real treasure. I have forged bonds with strangers and deepened relationships with dear friends. I cannot say “thank you” enough to every person who has been a part of this dream with me. I look forward to all the magic that is still to come.❤
#livinglovinggrowing #islandgirlmusic

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Often the most beautiful sunsets come after a storm. That was most certainly the case on Tuesday night. It served as a powerful metaphor. After 4 days on an emotional rollercoaster that quite literally began with crazy and unexpected weather on island, I found myself on the water witnessing the most awe-inspiring post storm sunset I have ever seen. Complete with a rainbow that lit the sky on fire, I knew that my personal storm had passed as well. I then sat down and played my songs and shared my story and remembered who I am at my core. Sometimes life is messy. Sometimes we stumble and fall…hard. What matters most is that we get back up, brush ourselves off, place one foot in front of the other and try again. And give thanks for those who reach out a loving hand to help lift you back to your feet. It is in this space that the growing happens. There will be storms but there will also be rainbows.
#livinglovinggrowing

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9 years ago, today, I moved to St. John. This is the first anniversary that I have not been on island to celebrate that life changing moment. I found my home that day – that place that you don’t even realize your soul has been yearning for until you find it and then…you just know.  I have learned something valuable about my home over the last 10 months; when something is a part of who you are at your very core, you are never really without it. St. John and it’s community are at the very heart of the woman that I have grown into over these last 9 years.  Love City is sewn into the fabric of my being and she has been with me every step of the way as I have traveled through the states sharing the story of her recovery; and with every event, I have been offered a glimpse of just how far the magic of St. John reaches past her shorelines. I watch people’s eyes brighten as they pull me aside, time and time again, to share the ways in which the island has touched them personally.  St. John changes lives. I truly believe it is a place that adds more light into the world and I am so very proud to call it home.