Strength and Courage, and Positivity

I was born in San Francisco. I grew up there during a time of tremendous change and growth, both spiritually and otherwise. I remember listening to the different radio stations in the 50’s, and liking the R&B stations best, because they made me feel like I was family, not talked down to, not talked up to, but family. When I write and sing, I always try to come from that feeling. When I was 6 or so, a group of musicians came to my school and performed a program of classical and patriotic songs. I decided then and there that I was going to become a professional musician, period. It was a tidal wave of emotion that swept me over the falls and down into the mighty river of passionate purpose. From that purpose, I have strayed at times, lost in the eddying pools of chaos and confusion, suggestion and manipulation, discouragement and disconnection. There are always other agendas and intentions in the world, and holding your own is always an issue. But throughout, I have always known that I made the right choice for my soul’s purpose. At times I have questioned whether I would ever make money enough to support myself as a professional musician, but I had the strength and courage to always describe myself as a musician, even on application forms for other jobs. My songs have always helped me to heal myself, and testimonials from others who have heard my music and been healed have reinforced my resolve to continue my passion in music. I felt unheard and misunderstood for a long time, and came to realize that by my belief in these blockages, I had created just such a blockage. I was creating my own invisibility and misconception out there in the community. I was responsible for the logs in my own path! Now this took some integrating, and some swallowing of pride and reprogramming of habits. Instead of telling myself that I was weak and powerless, invisible and misunderstood, I began telling myself that I am loved and understood, accepted and revered, powerful and positive. This has made a tremendous difference in my life. My music chronicles this entire process.