Five Favourites for Friday #4

1)      Starbucks white mocha coffee. Starbucks is a treat for me because it’s more expensive than Tim’s and I only get it every so often. It’s tasty, warm and fits perfectly with rainy day thinking. I’ll be in there every day when I become a famous writer haha.

2)      Lilacs. Their beautiful purple colour, their lovely scent filling up my senses. I love when they bloom in June and sometimes the petals even fall at my feet.

3)      The new flavour of the Kit Kat bar I’ve discovered- Peanut Butter Chunky. Thanks to my aunt for discovering these in the grocery store. Peanut butter, chocolate, a rich taste...did I say chocolate? What a delightful explosion in my mouth! A must try!

4)      Casino Nova Scotia promoting my boys!  They posted a video of Hanson and Cheap Trick on their Facebook page performing ‘I Want You to Want Me,’ seeing as both bands have upcoming shows there. Thanks to my friend for sending this along to them. I love this performance and I love how enthusiastic the Casino has been about having Hanson. Thanks to all the wonderful staff there!

5)      The new Alicia Keys song that premiered yesterday, ‘New Day.’ The drums are amazing and it has this beautiful island sound to it. The lyrics are full of hope and positivity, and I think we need more songs like this right now. I’m excited for Alicia’s new sound and look forward to hearing where she goes with her next album.

A Lifetime Love Affair with Books

I say lifetime because while I haven’t been reading from the time I was born of course, I have since the time I can remember, which is around five years old. There was nothing that thrilled me more than a story and how the words painted a picture right before my eyes. I learned to read by myself fairy quickly as a result. In school, I was often the kid who not only read the story that was assigned out of the reader; I would ask to take it home so that I could read more. Some of my friends couldn’t understand why I wanted to read so much in my spare time because they would rather play games or watch TV.  Granted, I loved those things too, but they never took me away like the words did.

During the summer I would be so happy when I had the whole day to read. I would finish a novel in one afternoon and try to have another lined up so I wouldn’t be too disappointed when the story was over. From the ages of 10 to 12, the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery swept me away. I decided that I wanted to be able to write like her one day, to take my reader away with beautiful imagery and delightful characters like Anne. I still love reading these books today and even after all this time, their magic hasn’t ended for me.

As I grew older, there was less time for my own reading. Life took over with school and work. In between college, the summers were my escape time, because even when I was working, I had no homework and my evenings were free. I used to drive home with my Dad and my shift ended before his, so I would wait for him in Tim Horton’s and enjoy a coffee and a Margaret Atwood novel.

I have learned that writing novels requires a lot more work than reading them, however it is true that   the more you read, the better your writing will be. The irony of this is that I sometimes become so caught up in my writing that I find myself reading a lot less. Still, something’s not right when I don’t have a book to read, and they will always keep me coming back for more.    

Believe More, Do More, Be More

Ever since I have been writing more and working on this blog, I have noticed a shift in my universe. This began in the spring as a change in perception. I had completed a draft of my novel and felt my creativity start to bloom as I started a new story. I painted for the first time in years, and if nothing else, it was liberating and magical because my friend and I had our little canvases set up side by side as we chatted. Being with her again after a couple of years reminded me of my strength and the power that I can create with my words when I believe in them, and rekindled the parts of my imagination I had so desperately missed.

It’s easy to fall into writer’s block when the world is so still around you. You create a routine around your boredom and find your imagination blocked. What you don’t realize is that you are probably the one who’s blocking it. This is the year I sensed that everything would be different, even though it seemed impossible on January 1^st.  Half way into the year, I’m finally on my way in progressing with my career, I had the chance to spend several days with one of my best friends who I hadn’t seen in two years,  and my favourite band is coming to my city after 15 years of wishing and dreaming. It really is true that the more you invest in life, the more life gives back to you.

If you want to turn things around, you need to start by trusting yourself. I know it’s never easy, especially the longer you have to struggle, but it’s worth it in the end and I am remind of this time and time again. Somehow, I find my way through the obstacles in my path. I’ve learned to be resourceful in many different ways over the years, and I have to say it has served me well. So on this Wednesday, I leave you with what I hope will be sound advice in your lives: to believe more, do more, and be more.

Little Moments

Purple petal carried on the wind

Drifting slowly to fall at my feet

I drink in your lilac scent

A friend to June, could you be

The ambitious wing of a fairy?

You take my hand and I dance again

With the summer breeze

 A trusting spirit, almost free

A lone feather stands tall in the grass

Wondering why I happened to pass

I let doubt be

In my heart I bow to a silent vow

To be stronger and believe

In a road I’ve yet to know except to know

That where I chose, it will lead me

I was out for a short stroll yesterday and the summer breeze embraced me, though once I had been moving for a while the sun grew warmer on my skin. I slowed my pace every once and a while to pause and enjoy the rich scent of the flowers, marvelling at their natural sweetness. That was when a single purple petal fell and landed at my feet, reminding me that simple moments can add that little bit of joy to your day. As I was making my return journey, I noticed a single feather in the grass, standing upright. In some small way, it made me feel more connected to everything, surer, and a little bit calmer. Today I sit and write in the rain, thinking about the next time I might have a walk as peaceful as that one was. Something tells me that it will be sooner rather than later.     

The Legacies We Leave

I want to take this Monday to discuss the importance of the legacies that we leave behind, especially as artists. What could be better than the art you have worked so hard to create living on past your years, there for new hearts and minds to so eagerly enjoy? When my time on this earth has come to an end, I hope that my loved ones know they can always find the best of my heart in my words.

 

I wanted to honour someone who made a great impact on not only music, but the world because I don’t want his message to ever be forgotten. Michael Jackson was so much more than an entertainer, and so far from the image painted of him by the media. I didn’t realize the size of the impact he had and the message he worked so hard to spread until his passing three years ago. I was never a fan, yet I cried when I heard the news. I was extremely curious to know more, to discover the truth. I became moved in a way I couldn’t even explain to myself. He made so much great change in the world, and there was still so much left he had to do. I wished I had recognized the true beauty of his heart sooner. I remember those moments when I saw Michael on a TV interview and was touched by his gentle spirit. My instinct told me that he could never harm a soul, that he was pure of heart. It hurts me to see that some journalists think nothing of spreading lies and hurting someone so deeply just to sell a story. I studied journalism because I have a passion for telling the truth and making sure it is heard. If I even reach one person with this blog, I think that’s at least a start to the fulfillment of that mission.

It was Michael Jackson’s mission to spread love and heal the world for ourselves and our children. I believe that even though he has passed this legacy of love lives on. I want to encourage all of you to live for love today. Be kind to everyone you meet, extend your hand to those in need. Is there a charity or non profit organization that you feel passionate about? If you can’t donate money, your time is just as valuable. If you pray, pray for all the children who are suffering and all of those who have enormous burdens to bear right now.  I believe that we all have something of irreplaceable value to contribute to this world. There is no reason why we can’t.  When we come together, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. For as Michael always said, “It’s all for love... L.O.V.E.”

Thank you Michael, for changing the world with your music and reminding us that nothing is greater than the power of love. You will forever be in our hearts, and your legacy will live on in those who strive to create a world that is filled with more peace and love than fear and hate.

Five Favourites for Friday #3

1)      I have a friend who’s staying in Nigeria for the summer and she recently introduced me to some beautiful African music.  I love music, and discovering different sounds from all over the world is quite exciting. One of the artist that most stuck out to me was Asa, and in particular her song called ‘Dreamer Girl.’ Her lyrical and vocal power entranced me. A few of my favourite lines from this song are

"I dream of simple things every day
I dream that love will come away
I dream of many lives
I cross the stage
I dream that in this world I can make a change"

 I can’t wait to hear more from this beautiful place, which I hope I someday get the chance to visit.

  

2)      Sitting in the shade. I know this is a simple one, but until yesterday, this was something I hadn’t done in a while. It was a beautiful day with just the right amount of a breeze to keep cool. When you combine this with good conversation and great food, what better way could there be to kick off the summer?  I plan to do a bit more of this over the next couple of months, as long as the bugs are few.

3)      This is a beautiful music video for the song ‘Where You Are’ by Danna Richards. It features a family of Youtubers who call themselves the Shaytards. I think it captures the love and togetherness that a family should share, no matter what that family might look like. The children are so adorable and absolutely melt my heart. What a lovely song and heartwarming video. J     

4)      Editing. I recently decided to go in for a second round of edits for my novel. In the beginning, it felt a little bit overwhelming, but this week I found myself having those little thrilling moments when a sentence or a paragraph sounds even better than before. Of course I realized during this process that if I spent too much time tweaking everything, I may never end up with a final draft that I’m satisfied with. My goal is to complete those edits by the Fall so that I can give a hundred percent focus to my next project.

5)      Selecting summer reads. A part of summer I’ve always loved the most is enjoying great books as I enjoy the sunshine and a lovely warm breeze. A book I just put on my Kobo is the English translation of ‘The Angel’s Game,’ by Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I heard his writing was very poetic and that’s the kind I love the most. I’ll probably review it on this blog sometime in the near future. J

Step after Step

Take one step at a time

You’ll get there I promise you

In just one moment of trust

It might surprise you

The spark of the dream as it begins to unfold

Closer to coming true

Today in its warmth is renewing my mind and sending waves of inspiration to my heart. I don’t know where they will go but that doesn’t matter, because there is nothing more fulfilling than words swirling around in my head. My words never fail to remind me of my purpose. There are days when I struggle to release them or I wonder if there’s a point in writing them down—and I wonder, will they really touch the reader the way I have imagined they would? Soon I remember though, that if what I have written means something to even one person, they were worth writing, that maybe if all I accomplished was releasing some long held emotion, I have done enough. Whatever it is that you do, artistic or not (though in a way, there are so many skills and talents that could be considered artistic), don’t be afraid to release it, for this is the greatest freedom there is.

Time is something I have battled against in the past couple of years. I thought that it was holding me prisoner, stealing away my days with the waiting. I used to plan my whole life year by year and I truly believed I was all set. I have had to learn that events don’t always transpire how you thought they would and that sometimes you have to adjust your goals to those unexpected circumstances that tend to appear every now and again. I thought that being stuck in my career meant that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish all I had wanted to, but I proved myself wrong, making headway on personal writing projects that I wouldn’t have had life been busier. I’m learning to embrace time and to not waste it in worrying how and when everything will come together. I know that I’m closer, that step after step I can make this journey with faith because I know this road I’m on can never lead to nowhere...