Simply a Melody

A lot of people lately have been asking me where I get my ideas for writing my songs. Well to tell them the truth, I get it from living my everyday life. It wasn't until recently when I was able to write words to my melodies that I have been playing for years. I don't know whether it is because I was holding back, worried about being judged based off what I write about or what, but what I write about now comes from my heart so what other people think doesn't matter to me. I recently read a quote by Lady Gaga, she said "Passion doesn't wake up in the morning and tell you it doesn't love you anymore" And I have come to believe that statement and live by it with all my heart. I am greatful for the life experiences I have that allow me to have stories to write songs about and my creative juices are flowing. Ambition is a great word to inspire people to live the way they want to and ignore anyone and everyone who tries to get in their way. Ambition is an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction. Ambition is what every person needs to have to survive whatever obstacle is getting in the way of what they ultimately want. Do not let the fear of being judged or anyone get in your way because in the end, your passion is what you are left with and your heart is what you need to live through. <3

streesssss

STRESS is such a typical word. Everybody gets stressed, everybody has stuff to do, but character is defined by how you handle that stress and disappointment. Stress doesn't come easily for me, as finals begin and I, like many people, crowd the library, my stress level does not rise. As my test nears and my paper due date creeps forward my mind stays focused on my future. Focused on the fact that no matter what happens God has a plan for me. I am a big believer in faith and the idea that everything happens for a reason, so as I finish my test, good or bad I can shake it off. It's not that I don't care, because I do, but why should I spend my time worrying over something I can't change anymore, something that I should have been prepared for in the first place? And if I wasn't...well at least I tried my hardest. God has a path for me and no matter what grades I get in school, no matter who likes me or doesn't, my time could end when I least expect it. How would you live your life if you knew that it could end in the next few hours? Would you be nicer? make more friends? make a difference in someone elses life? forgive someone? It's weird when you actually think about how much little things effect your attitude on life. School is important, yes, but it shouldn't change your attitude or alter your character based off one test or class. There is a reason for everything...

He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?

An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

Live Like You Were Dying. Tim McGraw

What's the Big Deal?

I recently saw a show at the Winspear theatre in downtown dallas. The name of this show is spring awakening and it was my second time seeing it, but its a really good show. The cast had been touring for a year and the music brings full audiences every time. The show is however a pretty crude show with a lot of cussing and sex of stage. The show, which was on broadway 2 years ago is a story about kids who are sheltered but still feel the teenage desires that teens are supposed to feel. Because they are sheltered and do not understand where these desires come from they explore their desires and end up getting into trouble. The show has awesome rock music and songs that are crude but great pieces of art. The main character, a young girl, is always asking her mother how babies are made, but her mother lies to her and she never finds out the truth. Since she does not know, she has sex with a boy in her class and gets pregnant without knowing. The mother ends up tricking her child into getting an abortion, but the girl ends up dying from the surgery. There is also suicide and masturbating on stage (not actual) and the songs are full of cuss words. I was well aware of how crude the show was before going and had seen the show before, but at the end of the show a man came up to my friend and I and joked saying, "They should check IDs on the next show." It somewhat offended me and although I laughed it off I thought, "you're ridiculous." There is clearly a gap between what the older generation and younger generation feel is appropriate, but come on the girl playing one of those roles just graduated from high school and she has been watching this show for a straight year! Not to mention the music from the show is available to any age. It was somewhat of a compliment, and yet a rude remark at the same time. Art is something that should be shared with anyone and everyone, and although the man was kidding it made me think of how his comment related to the show we just saw. Society shelters kids from certain things thinking kids are not mature enough, but the truth is that some kids are mature enough and knowledge is not a sin.

Doubt

What can someone do with doubt? Doubt could be considered weak. But everyone doubts. Someone recently said to me: "Never introduce doubt into a directors mind". Although he was referring to an audition, saying that during an audition you should never allow a director to think you have a weakness. I think this applies to a lot of things. Doubt is dangerous, its something that can alter a performance, alter your attitude, and simply just make you mess up for no reason. No matter if you are going into an interview for a job, writing a paper, playing in a state football game, or performing at the Met in New York City, doubt can ruin your potential. With a simple "I can't do this" thought, you really won't be able to. Doubt is more dangerous than people realize. It is negative and can distract a professional from doing their best. It's amazing how much our little mind game can affect our actions and overall performance.

Promises

Promise is a big word. A lot of people might disagree, but it really is when you think of all the synonyms. Promises can be made to someone about easy things/tasks that one must finish, or they can be made nonchalantly as promises that will most likely not be kept. Promises can also be made to oneself. These kind of promises are more of responsibilities. A new years “resolution” is one of those nonchalant promises, but a promise such as lent is a promise that must be kept. People make more promises then they realize.
Are promises something you can prioritize?
Or should we not be making them?
Promises such as relationships are unending and easier to achieve that action promises. Action promises require something extra. A promise is a declaration that something will or will not be done.
Are promises becoming less important. Divorces more common? Cheating on spouses ok? No. But it seems like it is more common, it happened to my friend yesterday. But a promise is a promise right? Or are promises that aren’t kept more common these days?

True Happiness

Dallas finally had a foot of snow in the span of 24 hours. I never thought I would go to school and Texas and see just as much/more snow than my hometown. It is funny how different things turn out than the way I expect. Today being valentines day, I expected to be miserable (as would any single person who has stuff to do on valentines day and see couples everywhere) but I wasn't miserable! I had so much to do and an entire day free from the drama that I had last valentines day and free from any obligations or expectations. I guess I could say I had an overall excellent day. Today is sunday and my church decided to go to do mission work and build houses today with some visitors at the church. While we were there someone said who needs a boyfriend when you can just love the world! And as lame as I thought that sounded, after I thought about it, it was so true. There was no reason to be selfishly moping on valentines day when my life could be ten times worse. And the more I thought about it the less important it seemed to even think about myself on valentines day. How could I think of myself being lonely while I was helping build a house for a homeless person that was as big as the bathroom in my dorm? It was almost ironic that I had woken up thinking it would be a dreaded day and in just one comment my idea could completely change. Attitude has a lot to do with happiness, and being happy sometimes only can come if you are thinking of making others happy instead of yourself. I didn't think my valentine's day would end up being an eye-opener, but this epiphany changed my entire day around and made it a lesson. And whether I was happy on valentines day or not became something so small compared to things like not having a roof over your head when it is freezing outside and snows a foot. It was once again a lesson I hadn't expected. :)

The Dark Side

In Don Tapscott’s book Grown Up Digital he refers to kids in the 21st generation as “Net Geners” and his own children as prodigies because of the knowledge they have about technology at such a young age. Although Tapscott begins with ideas on the positive impact of the technology boom, he continues with the issues with our generation that many people view as a result of the technology. Tapscott argues many points regarding the issues of "Net Geners," including the point that people in our generation are dumber because of technology. Tapscott quotes a source that says, They’re dumber than we were at their age. In this paragraph he argues that many sources say that our generation is more dumb and reckless than any other generation has been. Tapscott quotes a psychiatrist Edward Hallowell who refers to our generation as, “a shallow, distracted generation that can’t focus on anything," but he does not agree with the sources he is quoting.
Response:
I disagree with the idea that our generation is dumber due to technology. Tapscott quotes Robert Bly who says, “They don’t read and are poor communicators.” He comments that our lack of social contact makes us bad communicators and that the technology is a distraction from studies in schools everywhere. Although some of his ideas may be true, that technology can be distracting