Photo credit and heartfelt gratitude to Ilya Natarius & the Face Forward - Humanity Through Art Photo & Video team.
In a podcast recording yesterday, the interviewer asked me: "How do you stay motivated in your work?" I was really honest: "I don't know. Sometimes I'm not and I just need a break...." It's often in the time out that I catch my breathe, renew my focus and get inspired once again.
Einstein said: "Play is the highest form of research."
Sometimes a break, a walk, a soul nap is most productive thing you could do.
Everything in the natural world shows us that there are cycles, seasons and rhythms - time to move, time to rest.... Why it is that we think in our society that everything has to keep moving and producing?
I get so impatient with this journey of self-employment, impatient with myself and hurry to get all the disciplines in each day, the instrument practice, presentation preparation, the research and songwriting, the social media and marketing, the networking, the...well, it goes on and on.
I get impatient, at times, discouraged, with all the trying and failing (not to mention, rejection) and trying to "make it" (whatever that means) or at least be somewhat stable as an artist. Sometimes it seems like things are moving so slowly...too slowly...I wonder: "will this EVER move forward!?!" Will this vision EVER be realized? Will we EVER arrive at our goals?...and then, at some point, I realize more has been happening than I could see....
In fact, I hear this inner voice of wisdom say: "if you had moved any faster, none of what has happened could've happened as it should in it's best and most complete form and you'd have to start all over again...but...look, you don't have to start all over again. Things are not good, they are best, for now. This moment is your most precious gift. Be present to keep moving forward. What needs to progress, has all the time it needs and *you're* becoming better and truer in the process...."
Dreams don't just magically come true. They are lived into over time. They require time, intention, ebbs and flows, ups and downs. Measure twice, cut once. Take YOUR time. Cherish NOW. Believe and breathe deeply. Welcome moments to laugh. Be silly and playful. Remember walks and naps are healing, renewing and much more productive and motivating than we think.
Love, Heatherlyn
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. I believe everyone deserves to grow and live in safe and healthy environments, whether at home, school, work or anywhere else in our world. I'm a loved one of a survivor and I share our story here:
The National Youth Leadership Conference and Youthrive LIVE!
Read more about her below and at the link provided.
I'm deeply honored to be a part of this years Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis as a workshop presenter alongside John Noltner of A Peace of My Mind.
Sign up for any of the NPPF and if you'd like to join us, register for the Global Studies Day workshop entitled: "A Peace of My Mind: Exploring the Price of Peace One Story at a Time."
Documentary photography John Noltner and I will share how our work has been inspired by Nobel Peace Laureates and we will facilitate conversation on the importance of listening to one another's stories, "storydwelling" in practice, for the sake of peace on all levels.
You'll hear songs and thoughts from Heatherlyn and excerpts from John's most recent project A Peace of My Mind, a portrait of peace. Participate in the conversation too!
Registar at www.peaceprizeforum.org.
It would be be a lot of fun to see you there!
Peace and Hope,
Heatherlyn
About 50 people gathered at the Buzz Coffee, bearing items to co-create care packages for unhoused neighbors, kits we call Love In The Glovebox. I was so sick that night, so all I could do was show up and share a few brief thoughts about why we, as Heatherlyn Music, would invite everyone together to do this.
It is about movement - not just emotional movement from songs like Jack Riddle, Wayfaring Stranger and Be the Love (all songs from the Storydwelling album) - but literal movements, acts of kindness and intention to reach beyond ourselves and realize the human connection that already is. Since I had lost my voice, Cassandra, who we know from hosting the monthly open mic at the Buzz, graciously stepped in to share a song with us and set the tone, sync up our heart beats, so-to-speak.
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We were surrounded by piles of socks, gloves, hats, granola bars, hand warmers and other items for the care packages. A local connection to Conagra foods caught wind of the event via the local Burnsville Patch so he called the Buzz to ask if we could use a donation of granola bars. Then he dropped off hundred for us to add to the Love in The Glovebox kits. A group of girls from a nearby high school came with rolls of fleece and scissors and cut out a bunch of scarves for the packages. There were people representing at least 5 different groups that make up the Southern Metro community.
After everyone got to work, within about 45 minutes, 200+ Love In The Glovebox Kits were co-created. We all took some kits with us to stuff into our glove boxes, in preparation for those unanticipated encounters at the stoplight. About 70 kits were left at the Buzz for patrons to take with them and pass along the act of kindness beyond the 50 who gathered that night. Buzz customers were thrilled with the idea. They expressed great appreciation to Buzz owner Liz and they wanted to know how they can engage the next time something like this happens there!
The high school girls who were cutting fleece scarves decided they wanted to organize a Love In The Glovebox packing gathering at their school, so we were able to seed their effort by sending along left over socks and granola bars. The ripple effect continues on....
More photos of the evening and some info for you to do your own Love In The Glovebox Engage event at www.heatherlynmusic.com/love-in-the-glovebox/.
Our next Community Engage event is in March in partnership with The Buzz and Project Foodstock. Stay tuned. Connect online or through our mailing list if you'd like to know more about it.
May kindness continue...may it begin and carry on within and through you and me.
Peace and Love,
Heatherlyn
It's looking like we may be sharing some #Storydwelling songs at the Mpls Convention Center alongside Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi. What a delight and honor.
The closing event will be open to the public. Fri, Apr 13th 4:30pm. $10
You should come!
