<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15388644" data-resource="episode_id=15388644" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="dark" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" >Listen to "The Measurement Of Growth" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
It's around us more than bad news and chocolate. We're endlessly being measured by how and when we are growing. As much as we want to point an evil crooked finger at bosses and or other decision makers, I believe we do more damage to ourselves without them. We spend months and years wondering why an inch doesn't feel like a victory but rather a twelve mile high mountain of doubt, fear, shame and guilty. Through meditation and learning the strength connected to mindful thinking and living you begin to develop a process of forgiveness. What is reality but what we're dealing with in the moment? That's not a free ticket to check in with your 16 year old self trying to get away with something your parents wouldn't like. Nor is it the visionary in you planning for peaceful new beginnings sometime next week. Opening your heart and mind isn't a magic trick. It's putting focus on your present. It sounds wacky and out of shape to put your power of thinking into a mode of being nothing more than a willow swaying with the wind. It works. There is no distance in the present. It's happening now. You don't have to reach or bend backwards. Getting caught up in what you can't control infects the layout of how you greet people, perform on the work front and welcome life after you've given it all away. Is it easy to live in the now? If it was everybody would be doing it. When you are stressed and feel like being broken is the new you. Calmly tell your inner self, "Open your heart. Open your mind." Listen to the atmosphere as it moves through you. Take notes. No matter who you are in life. You're always a student.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
The Lyrics From Billy's Forest Chapter 117
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15318190" data-resource="episode_id=15318190" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="light" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" data-cover="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/images.spreaker.com/original/4b5773c832c2c110acdc05f533b8ba7b.jpg">Listen to "The Lyrics From Billys Forest Chapter 117" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
I struggle with memories. It's not that I can't remember. I don't feel in this age of continuous growth that we need to feed our creative minds with memories. Being upfront and honest. How many of your memories have been rewritten by your imaginations curse to always want the best of times? My most recent trip back home to Montana wasn't designed to catch up on memories or check in with chapters already lived. I sat in the center of Optimist Park on a very cold June afternoon and challenged myself to write extremely fast. Not to think about anything falling into the journal. I wanted to come back to the page on a later date and see what living in the present was truly like. I challenged myself to be in the moment. Look at what we do when we check in with radio stations that play oldies. Are we there for the memories or are we trying to invite a great song into the presence of our present? Feels Like The First Time from Foreigner ignites me each time I hear it. Rather than think about being a teenager locked up in his bedroom pretending to be a radio disc jockey, the power of the song moves through me in this moment. Sitting at a dog park with Jazzie the rescued dog that has a fun loving way of being a loner. When I hear the song in 2018 it has a new meaning. It has a fresh start and finish. Then I put it away and can't wait to share another music date. I didn't fare well with the jotting down of thought at Optimist Park. I turned it into a flashback to which my modern self tries to defend. If it was a true memory writing moment the writer forgot some very important parts that took place on those waves of extremely green grass and now very tall trees.
I struggle with memories. It's not that I can't remember. I don't feel in this age of continuous growth that we need to feed our creative minds with memories. Being upfront and honest. How many of your memories have been rewritten by your imaginations curse to always want the best of times? My most recent trip back home to Montana wasn't designed to catch up on memories or check in with chapters already lived. I sat in the center of Optimist Park on a very cold June afternoon and challenged myself to write extremely fast. Not to think about anything falling into the journal. I wanted to come back to the page on a later date and see what living in the present was truly like. I challenged myself to be in the moment. Look at what we do when we check in with radio stations that play oldies. Are we there for the memories or are we trying to invite a great song into the presence of our present? Feels Like The First Time from Foreigner ignites me each time I hear it. Rather than think about being a teenager locked up in his bedroom pretending to be a radio disc jockey, the power of the song moves through me in this moment. Sitting at a dog park with Jazzie the rescued dog that has a fun loving way of being a loner. When I hear the song in 2018 it has a new meaning. It has a fresh start and finish. Then I put it away and can't wait to share another music date. I didn't fare well with the jotting down of thought at Optimist Park. I turned it into a flashback to which my modern self tries to defend. If it was a true memory writing moment the writer forgot some very important parts that took place on those waves of extremely green grass and now very tall trees.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Are Preachers Travel Agents
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15310753" data-resource="episode_id=15310753" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="light" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" >Listen to "Are Preachers Travel Agents" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
A lot of crazy thoughts and words drop off the tip of my daily writing instrument. Sometimes a simple entry can shape the rest of the day. Especially when the chicken scratch left on the page asks what seems to be a simple question but this one comes with weight. Are preachers travel agents? I watch and listen to a long list of spiritually driven men and women who know in their hearts that there's this place where everything will be brilliantly landscaped with love, forgiveness, compassion, no sickness or pain. They sell it! I'm not in question or doubt. I'm just seeing something that most don't want to talk about. With so many huge volunteering hours and dollars dropped in the plate, I've talked with multiple many that feel entitled. They believe they're getting the best seat on the boat as it sails into Heaven. Long gone will be your human form but what if what you were sold doesn't live up to the expectation? God's gonna give you this! You're going to receive that! You are guaranteed! I love those odds. The agent said, "Guaranteed." Then I'm reminded of how the J man rode a donkey into town. He didn't want to look greater or better than. Feeling entitled is a scary place. I know a lot of car dealerships that couldn't live up to their 100,000 mile warranties. It didn't matter how much they backed it up the vehicle that brought you into the present wasn't living up to what you were sold. Break that down. Being a student of Christ is a brilliant walk in life. Know that you will be challenged and there will be change. Know it's about serving his plan and purpose and not how you arrive. Be the donkey. Carry wisdom forward by way of truth.
A lot of crazy thoughts and words drop off the tip of my daily writing instrument. Sometimes a simple entry can shape the rest of the day. Especially when the chicken scratch left on the page asks what seems to be a simple question but this one comes with weight. Are preachers travel agents? I watch and listen to a long list of spiritually driven men and women who know in their hearts that there's this place where everything will be brilliantly landscaped with love, forgiveness, compassion, no sickness or pain. They sell it! I'm not in question or doubt. I'm just seeing something that most don't want to talk about. With so many huge volunteering hours and dollars dropped in the plate, I've talked with multiple many that feel entitled. They believe they're getting the best seat on the boat as it sails into Heaven. Long gone will be your human form but what if what you were sold doesn't live up to the expectation? God's gonna give you this! You're going to receive that! You are guaranteed! I love those odds. The agent said, "Guaranteed." Then I'm reminded of how the J man rode a donkey into town. He didn't want to look greater or better than. Feeling entitled is a scary place. I know a lot of car dealerships that couldn't live up to their 100,000 mile warranties. It didn't matter how much they backed it up the vehicle that brought you into the present wasn't living up to what you were sold. Break that down. Being a student of Christ is a brilliant walk in life. Know that you will be challenged and there will be change. Know it's about serving his plan and purpose and not how you arrive. Be the donkey. Carry wisdom forward by way of truth.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Feeling Guilty About Today
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15294577" data-resource="episode_id=15294577" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="dark" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" >Listen to "Why Do We Feel Guilty About Our Day" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
A constant question my father asked, "Why did you do it?" Even while walking in a pair of adult shoes I hear my father's expressions. Not concerns but expressions. The reason why he asked why I did something was help me locate awareness. That's why I don't jump off cliffs. I'd be the fool that would ask why in the center of the fall. There's a common tone I keep hearing but you have to listen carefully to understand the language. From family members to co-workers to people you've just met, more and more people are feeling guilty about their day. What does that mean? Guilty that you didn't accomplish a goal. Guilty that demands weren't met at work. Guilty that your child just gave you the glare of the century. I'll be the first to admit that messages from church leaders have a way of bringing on the guilt. That's when I'm brought back to my father's question,"Why did you do it?" Learning how to break down guilt is worse then making sure the trash is always at the curb on pickup day. We love to brag about having mountains of success with pictures inside the smartphone to prove it. The moment we come up to a mountain of challenges the guilt sets in. Guilty that we're not as mentally checked into technology as we thought we were. Guilty of what you had for lunch when it would've made a great dinner. Guilty that you forgot to congratulate your sister for being dry for 24 years. Mountains! My first radio job was in Lewistown, Montana. It's surrounded by seven different mountain ranges. I used to sit outside and stare into their energy never once realizing that life would deliver more. How do you stop feeling guilty about today? By recognizing the importance of what you bring. Today it might have been a simple smile. Next week it could be maple bars from QT. An odd ball quote fell from my writing instrument today that might easily warm things up. "I know the soil is hard as granite. With you Lord we can replant the seeds in new mud." We feel guilty about today because everyday before this day is rock hard on our paths of choice and decision. Grab a shovel and lets get some new air into that field of dreams.
A constant question my father asked, "Why did you do it?" Even while walking in a pair of adult shoes I hear my father's expressions. Not concerns but expressions. The reason why he asked why I did something was help me locate awareness. That's why I don't jump off cliffs. I'd be the fool that would ask why in the center of the fall. There's a common tone I keep hearing but you have to listen carefully to understand the language. From family members to co-workers to people you've just met, more and more people are feeling guilty about their day. What does that mean? Guilty that you didn't accomplish a goal. Guilty that demands weren't met at work. Guilty that your child just gave you the glare of the century. I'll be the first to admit that messages from church leaders have a way of bringing on the guilt. That's when I'm brought back to my father's question,"Why did you do it?" Learning how to break down guilt is worse then making sure the trash is always at the curb on pickup day. We love to brag about having mountains of success with pictures inside the smartphone to prove it. The moment we come up to a mountain of challenges the guilt sets in. Guilty that we're not as mentally checked into technology as we thought we were. Guilty of what you had for lunch when it would've made a great dinner. Guilty that you forgot to congratulate your sister for being dry for 24 years. Mountains! My first radio job was in Lewistown, Montana. It's surrounded by seven different mountain ranges. I used to sit outside and stare into their energy never once realizing that life would deliver more. How do you stop feeling guilty about today? By recognizing the importance of what you bring. Today it might have been a simple smile. Next week it could be maple bars from QT. An odd ball quote fell from my writing instrument today that might easily warm things up. "I know the soil is hard as granite. With you Lord we can replant the seeds in new mud." We feel guilty about today because everyday before this day is rock hard on our paths of choice and decision. Grab a shovel and lets get some new air into that field of dreams.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Jaki Nelson
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15288103" data-resource="episode_id=15288103" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="dark" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" >Listen to "Jaki Nelson Releases Dancing With Strangers" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
Top 10, two-time Billboard dance artist Jaki Nelson is a singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. Her single, “What We Wanna Do” spent six weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart and peaked at #29. Her follow-up single, “Uh Oh”, spent 12 weeks on the same chart and peaked at #9. “Uh Oh” also debuted at #12 on Beatport Future House, peaking at #4, and was featured as a Spotify Discovery Weekly track.
Jaki has performed at NY Fashion Week (2016/2017), LA Fashion Week (2017) and prestigious clubs including TigerHeat at the legendary Avalon Hollywood in 2018 (Previous performers include Lady Gaga) as well as LA Pride Weekend (2018) and a headlining spot on the main stage with powerhouse DJ Hector Fonseca (Beyonce, Rihanna) at San Francisco Pride (2018).
Now, Jaki is preparing for the release of her new “Dancing With Strangers” single, written and produced with GRAMMY winner Dave Aude who has created over 120 #1 Billboard dance remixes (Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna).
Open Door Policy
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15287230" data-resource="episode_id=15287230" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="light" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" >Listen to "Open Door Policy" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
I'm not afraid to ask questions. I wish those around me felt the same. Asking questions is better then learning from a book. Using the experiences of others is a brilliant tool for the preparation of awkward steps. We don't ask questions. We expect lessons. Show me how to do this so I can get on with the process. When something fails the obvious reaction is, "Nobody showed me how to do that." To which the reply is always, "You didn't ask." The same is true about personal visions and decisions. We totally forget the idea maker in our heart and head has a plan but the outside shell is determined to find victory without there being a riverbed of defeat. I wish I could say that every time I pop open the microphone the message shared is always better then the last. That's not going to happen. Being live on the air is a physical act of collected disciplines. It's no different then the Harris Teeter employee that drops a jar of peanut butter in one lane and a sack of sugar ten minutes later in another. How? Why? Where will the next mess be met with the reality of being human? Two years ago I was interviewed about an open door policy. What I felt then compared to now. Is there a better connection with the final outcome? Asking the right questions will always lead to a deeper truth. Assuming we know how things are being grown leaves your field unharvested.
I'm not afraid to ask questions. I wish those around me felt the same. Asking questions is better then learning from a book. Using the experiences of others is a brilliant tool for the preparation of awkward steps. We don't ask questions. We expect lessons. Show me how to do this so I can get on with the process. When something fails the obvious reaction is, "Nobody showed me how to do that." To which the reply is always, "You didn't ask." The same is true about personal visions and decisions. We totally forget the idea maker in our heart and head has a plan but the outside shell is determined to find victory without there being a riverbed of defeat. I wish I could say that every time I pop open the microphone the message shared is always better then the last. That's not going to happen. Being live on the air is a physical act of collected disciplines. It's no different then the Harris Teeter employee that drops a jar of peanut butter in one lane and a sack of sugar ten minutes later in another. How? Why? Where will the next mess be met with the reality of being human? Two years ago I was interviewed about an open door policy. What I felt then compared to now. Is there a better connection with the final outcome? Asking the right questions will always lead to a deeper truth. Assuming we know how things are being grown leaves your field unharvested.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Recognizing The Thunder
<a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15279892" data-resource="episode_id=15279892" data-width="100%" data-height="350px" data-theme="light" data-playlist="show" data-playlist-continuous="true" data-autoplay="false" data-live-autoplay="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-hide-logo="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" data-cover="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/images.spreaker.com/original/5dadcd73e4ecb473d1aa721a7473a14e.jpg">Listen to "Recognizing The Thunder" on Spreaker.</a><script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>
We all have beasts and monsters. You aren't living life if you deny it. Most of these chunks of thunder are so large and loud they become the makers of every decision made. Being a daily writer I'm given the incredible opportunity to study the behavior of what it's like to have a creative mind. It didn't start out being transparent because it's easier to paint the walls of an old house then it is to rebuild them. Yet behind the sheet rock rests the spirits of the beasts and monsters. In May of 2016 I wrote about learning how to not only recognize the thunder but how to deal with the reverberation felt on the paths we walk. You can't show any emotion while face to face. Like a dog, the beast and monster want any kind of attention. Grasping onto the awareness of your present place is mindfully recognizing your stronger position. Ask them to leave. What? It can't be that easy! Ask them to leave. Through meditation I've learned how to control the atmosphere we're invited to participate with. The elements that make up your now don't need a buzz kill. They need a well rounded completely in control you. Ask the beast and monster to leave. Be in the moment without them. They are in your thoughts not out here where the rest of us can see. Ask them to leave. It's going to take practice. Once you begin to realize how your mindsets have changed and a more positive you is available you're going to start growing again. But wait! This is how unique the beast and monsters are... They'll begin to show up in the people and places around you. Awareness is the key factor. What you no longer hear in your head and heart will be spoken and or shown the way by way of the elements around you. Ask them to leave. Be open and honest. Mention to the passerby how there are certain things said or done by them that rock your system of choice. Learn together so you can be stronger in the place called now. It's the only thing you have control of. Make the right choice.
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