So....almost a month ago, I had the INSANE opportunity to spend the ENTIRE day with jazz artist, Gretchen Parlato, who is one of my top 3 favorite artists at a jazz workshop in California. I hope you're reading this right...I said, one of my TOP THREE!! And somehow I'm still alive to actually write...:-)
At this workshop, once I finished pinching myself (incessantly), I was able to engage in meaningful conversations about being an artist, how to approach artistry and most importantly, how to approach songwriting. After several enriching exercises, we did a songwriting activity that involved free writing, reflection, improvisation and contribution of lyrical material. After 2 pages of writing....I had to pick ONE phrase to add to a collective song we were writing. Out of the hundreds of phrases written on my page, the phrase that kept resonating with me was a phrase I had written: "and so it is"
Ding dong! My life is right in this zone right now...I look back and say, "Whoa! How the heck did you get here?" I've never experienced truly being in alignment with my spirit prior to pursuing music professionally. Okay, let's not get so esoteric yet- this is the first time I'm doing something I really love to do! Music has always been a passion of mine and I had been "cheating" on my passion. In other words, I was doing everything under the sun BUT MY MUSIC! And now that I am doing my music, its like God and the Universe said, "HOTDOG! She finally gets it!"
I am on a serious journey right now and often I don't really know how to put everything into words. I want so badly to share a plethora of thoughts that keep buzzing in my mind just to give the thoughts a space to breathe instead of whirling around in my head. Songwriting is easily a place for the thoughts to breathe...and I am currently writing for a new music project. However, there are some thoughts I simply want to share with those who are supporting me, my music and my journey. I pray I can continue to be a light and shine in some way, some how. So many people inspire me beyond, and if I can provide half of such inspiration, I will do it gladly.
And so it is...Grammy consideration, McDonald's commercial, national cable tv broadcast of one of my music videos, performances...this is CRAZY! When I was a child, I used to pretend hard! I literally lived in my own little "fantasy island" and would sing, dance, teach, act, and so much more. I only daydreamed about such moments that seem to be surfacing in my life. Heck, now I haven't even dreamed this big in many ways. Through it all, I am simply trying to live in the moment, be guided by God and my soul, trust in process, faith, presence and stay accountable to the gifts I've been given. Also, my personal mental and physical health, my husband, children, and family are my first priorities. Hence, I am living the life of a "juggler" as well (major balancing act!). Still, I know that there is a bigger purpose being served and I must serve it. No matter how uncomfortable it gets at times. I know that when I allow myself to go in the zone of purpose, effortless flow occurs. And so it is...
Please join me on this journey! Share your stories and reflections. I will listen as you have listened so graciously to me. Ready? Set? Go!
Love & light,
Kenya
At this workshop, once I finished pinching myself (incessantly), I was able to engage in meaningful conversations about being an artist, how to approach artistry and most importantly, how to approach songwriting. After several enriching exercises, we did a songwriting activity that involved free writing, reflection, improvisation and contribution of lyrical material. After 2 pages of writing....I had to pick ONE phrase to add to a collective song we were writing. Out of the hundreds of phrases written on my page, the phrase that kept resonating with me was a phrase I had written: "and so it is"
Ding dong! My life is right in this zone right now...I look back and say, "Whoa! How the heck did you get here?" I've never experienced truly being in alignment with my spirit prior to pursuing music professionally. Okay, let's not get so esoteric yet- this is the first time I'm doing something I really love to do! Music has always been a passion of mine and I had been "cheating" on my passion. In other words, I was doing everything under the sun BUT MY MUSIC! And now that I am doing my music, its like God and the Universe said, "HOTDOG! She finally gets it!"
I am on a serious journey right now and often I don't really know how to put everything into words. I want so badly to share a plethora of thoughts that keep buzzing in my mind just to give the thoughts a space to breathe instead of whirling around in my head. Songwriting is easily a place for the thoughts to breathe...and I am currently writing for a new music project. However, there are some thoughts I simply want to share with those who are supporting me, my music and my journey. I pray I can continue to be a light and shine in some way, some how. So many people inspire me beyond, and if I can provide half of such inspiration, I will do it gladly.
And so it is...Grammy consideration, McDonald's commercial, national cable tv broadcast of one of my music videos, performances...this is CRAZY! When I was a child, I used to pretend hard! I literally lived in my own little "fantasy island" and would sing, dance, teach, act, and so much more. I only daydreamed about such moments that seem to be surfacing in my life. Heck, now I haven't even dreamed this big in many ways. Through it all, I am simply trying to live in the moment, be guided by God and my soul, trust in process, faith, presence and stay accountable to the gifts I've been given. Also, my personal mental and physical health, my husband, children, and family are my first priorities. Hence, I am living the life of a "juggler" as well (major balancing act!). Still, I know that there is a bigger purpose being served and I must serve it. No matter how uncomfortable it gets at times. I know that when I allow myself to go in the zone of purpose, effortless flow occurs. And so it is...
Please join me on this journey! Share your stories and reflections. I will listen as you have listened so graciously to me. Ready? Set? Go!
Love & light,
Kenya