Back to square one of the "21 Day Challenge"

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you start over. My 7th attempt. Getting better!

"21 Day Challenge"

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you have to start over. (Now on my 5th attempt)

Mixing business with pleasure

Mixing business with pleasure and finding the right balance in your social-media efforts, is what I got from Derek Sivers's recent blog post.

Here's a quote: "It's about being honest with your intentions. Many companies' “Social Media Strategy” is about appearing to be cool and part of the conversation. But they're not really interested in anything but selling."

For me it's all so intertwined. The music, the sharing, the reaching out, the flow of creativity, the professional experience....and wrapping it all neatly up into a life style.

Taking a Joy Ride on the Social Media Bandwagon

There's a whole world of thriving, life-affirming leaders in indie music out there, and the more you look for them the more you'll find. Since I've made it my business to spread the word about the empowering benefits of music for children, more and more fellow artists are surfacing for me, to my amazement and delight. How am I finding them? Through the blossoming networks of social media, and especially through Twitter. As an indie artist, I've used Twitter to find like-minded fellow artists and other positive thinkers all highly motivated to helping one another.

Now I'm doing business and networking with musicians from all over the world: a composer from Brazil, a rock band from Australia, a sound therapist from Northern CA,
a pop world songwriter from Canada, a Gullah culture musician from South Carolina...to name a few...What do we have in common? Sharing the joy of positive, uplifting music, and a sincere wish to support each other in our creative endeavors.

It's an exhilarating experience to be in close contact with such a network. I recommend it highly, and in my next post I'll give some guidelines for how to use social media networking to your best advantage.

In the meantime, what are you finding that works to keep your creative juices flowing?

My Everyday Magic

I got to meet the Sparkle Fairy (on Twitter) and you will want to meet her too. She is the real deal and is showing us how to find and share the magic each and every day. As she puts it, "Who wouldn't like more magic in their lives?" I invite you to visit myeverydaymagic today. :D

Rejection

"Definitely an optimist" is how most would describe me. Looking for the positive, staying on the sunny side of the street, and praising all that's good...This is how I've programmed myself to be---because after all, what's the alternative? And this upbeat attitude works for me most of the time.

But rejection of one's creative endeavors---so hard! Today I got news that a company I'd been "wooing" for months has decided not to include my CDs. How deflating. What a let down.

My choices for how to react? 1. Get so discouraged I give up, throw in the towel, become bitter, etc. or

2. Get back up, dust myself off, give thanks that there may be something even better than this, and try, try, try again.

Giving up? Not an option. Persistence? Yes---The more I try it, the more it really does seem to work.

You are what you listen to

How much of our lives is shaped by our early music experiences? My children were the motivating drive for the veering of my whole career in music from adult to kid material. They're young adults now, but my work continues to be mainly in the kid/family genre because singing for and with children continues to delight and inspire me, and because it connects me to others in many fun and rewarding ways.

The songs I choose to share with children are both silly and serious, with upbeat, positive messages. They are meant to honor a wide range of cultures, feelings, and experiences. They reflect the tone of kindness and respect that we strive for in our home.

I watch in awe my grown son and daughter making their way in the world, following their hearts, heading toward goals, overcoming obstacles with confidence. They seem to always have music playing--now it's the Red Hot Chile Peppers, David Byrne, Weird Al, techno sound, some original themes, and a bit of Vivaldi. Their choices continue to influence my own in this ever-expanding musical world we all share.