Life in the LongWhiteCloud

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us. We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you  not  to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small Does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; It's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others - Marianne Williamson

The last few months have exposed me to a very different culture, changing my habit and thought much. Right now I have a crossroad: embrace this philosophy and work hard every day to fit it in my life, or coast and continue as I was, with the loft. Since life is short the only real option is 1. As I go I will learn more of my dharma, and things will become more clear. Muddy water over last year has cast clouds over work and career choice, doubt crept in mind. Acting to please others and hide from truth in heart. I yearn to cast away old attachments and ways of fitting in without looking at true nature and purpose. I struggle with comparing myself to role models, being critical of my current effort and level. But I must see that these role models have their own dharma and strength, I can take inspiration. Just as from a good musician, inspiration can happen, and push my skill higher. Bhakti is a lifestyle to follow, with ideals, outside focus is allowed. Guilty feeling is pointles...

To do more you need to be more... But in which direction should you focus? The muddy waters of business and entrepreneurship... or simple living with a focus on values, non-material growth and music writing? I'm pretty certain attempting both would be unwise, I've split myself in opposite directions before... The physio/health therapist I am working to be, does it prevent me from greater achievement and more fufilment with music? Whatever the cause I must be disciplined, focused and split my time till the years end. Share what you have, keeping talents close is selfish, good things must be shared with others, create memories, what is life otherwise? Death in my mind, I've got only so much time... October has begun... Spring is in full swing, and I'm feeling more distant from what I used to be. I don't feel the need to be accepted by everyone anymore, that's just a waste of time Walking down the road, crossroads everywhere I go Winds of change blow fr...

Having time off lets you reconnect with routine practice like yoga, meditation when the business of term stress and commitment can disrupt this a little. Getting back into my morning routine is essential for my health.  6:00am: Get up 6:30am: Yoga/meditation 7:00am: Breakfast, Daily plan Discipline is at the heart of routine, so its the best place to start. Discipline/Responsibility = Liberty. By sticking to commitments you gain more control over other areas of life. That's a fact. By sticking to a vegan diet you gain liberty by knowing your doing something for the planet.  By reflecting on experience you gain valuable hindsight otherwise missed. Making commitments and sticking to them are the basis of life and growth. Core values give you a standard to live by, keep you giving your best and protecting you from the many pitfalls coming your way. Without these we are just puppets blowing in the wind, shaped by the elements around us. I realise I made a mi...

I've been struggling this week. After festival for the future I've been exposed to inspiration, its only natural I now want to act, do more. But my circumstance requires me to think smaller, not bigger. Going back to study was never an easy choice. But the outcome affords me with more freedom It's been said before but you can't quit on a commitment if you have no better alternative. So I continue to desire the result. The work is irrelevant, it must be done and endured. It is a test of reslience, this degree, returning to study. Will I cope or cave to the pressure and give in? My music is a crucial creative medium to keep the mundane work bearable. Giving back to the community and environment adds meaning to life, and nourishes the soul. The loft provides me with knowledge to see truth in the world and avoid the numerous trappings of life. Life is a song, finite with a rise and fall. Dance and sing or watch and listen

"Don't let what matters least prevent you doing what matters most" - Brian Klemmer Forgetting the past is key to living a fulfilling life, and I need to ask, what challenge faces me, what can't I do currently? Focus on these challenges, true focus is an area I need to work on. Make a plan and take action. Go further than my past limits.  My pathway and setting is clear, now I will continually push myself for more. Instincts. Living in comfort is unnatural. Survival instincts are key to staying present, and keeping on track every day. Focus exercises benefit everything, from learning to be, one will learn to truly live life. Live more simply, commit to the things most important, leave out the distractions. By contemplating death, we gain purpose and urgency. My goal this week is to be mindful of death, use it to keep me grounded, a survival instinct. Everything is a focus exercise. Training, study, conversations. Everything. Clearing the mind when given th...

Sharing experience with a group of like minded people, towards a worthy cause is the best thing I could do with my life. Emphasis on the like-minded, for me this means green-thinking sustainability type folks in their 20's. I also need musical folks to create things with  as an expression tool. Both are important, incidentally they are both possible through uni. I have thought a lot about plunging into the unknown and trying out an idea, a solution for an otherwise environmentally-fucked society. To match up with my skills this would take the form of a bulk refill, zero-waste shop, promoting eco-products and fighting food waste from supermarkets.  If we put that out there as something I want to do in this lifetime, also have to put in perspective with the other things I want to do, travel south america, london, work in these countries, connect with my roots, play music more...  Live out on the west coast, live a simpler lifestyle. This is the best pathway I h...