Happy New Year 2023!

Wishing everyone a Happy 2023 filled with good health, positivity, and happiness!

Forgive others for the sake of your peace. Holding onto grudges and pain will only make you unhappy and lose your focus. Many times other people’s action are unforgivable but you still have to forgive for yourself. Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean you have to have to accept them back in your life. It just means you’re releasing the pain from yourself. With that said, remember to not let the pain of unforgiveness get to you. Open your heart while protecting your best interests.

Say positive things even if it seems hard at times. The more positive things you say, the more it will come to you.

Don’t expect but accept. You can’t change how people are or how they will treat you. You can control who you are and what you represent. Accept what is and don’t keep expectations.

Keep the happiness inside you! If you’re dealing with people misunderstanding you, don’t take it personally. What people think of you is not important. What you think of yourself is important. You don’t always have to explain your side of the story. The right people will understand. So stay true to who you are. Your actions define you so keep them good. Always remain kind and respectful to all.

Understand each other and be sympathetic. People who appear tough and don’t express themselves are usually going through things that can’t be explained or understood. It takes patience to really understand and be there for someone. All everyone wants is to feel accepted and loved. Be compassionate! If you know someone that’s been quiet and distance lately, let them know you care. It will make their day.

Don’t take your health for granted! Remember to take some rest for yourself. Meditate, eat healthy, and stay hydrated.

Set resolutions and goals that will uplift you and represent you. For me I’m excited to take on all kinds of musical projects!

Wishing all a great 2023! Below is some impromptu piano playing I did. Can you guess the song?

Stray Thoughts

Our biggest enemy is our negative thoughts that mostly come from bad experiences. It can be hard to overcome them. All they want to be is heard.

Still it can be hard because it can become too much. You’ll try pushing them away but that will only make it worse. The thoughts will keep coming and bad moments will keep replaying.

When this happens turn negative into positive. Console your mind because it’s your friend. Even if may seem hopeless know that there is always a positive. Know that it will be ok. If good times don’t last forever then bad times won’t either.

Tell yourself that you’re fine. I’m worthy. I’m not too much. I matter. People like me. People appreciate me. There is someone out there for me, who will understand me and love me for who I really am. Because you are all these things.

When stray thoughts get too much, I find writing to be a great way to let it out. Just write all that you are feeling and all that’s personal. Name names if you must, I have! Just do it for yourself to let it all out. You don’t need to share it with anyone, especially the personal things. Also while writing, always end on a positive note for yourself. Even if you’re not feeling it.

This is what I’ve been doing and the reason I started this section in my blog. An artist’s journey can be tough and lonely. Mental well being is not a subject that is taught in schools, it should be.

Dealing with difficult people and situations is a part of life unfortunately. Many things can’t be explained to others which is why our thoughts can become too much. Just be within you. Take three long deep breaths. When you inhale say all things positive and when you exhale say “I’m releasing all the negativity.” Another thing you can do is just be in your happy place. For me, I listen to songs from when I was younger. Certain songs attach me to good memories and take me back to a simpler time. It’s ok to escape reality for a while but don’t live there. Be present too while keeping yourself busy in your work!

Listen to uplifting music that brings a positive message and that encourages you to move on. This could translate to any art form, as long as it uplifts and brings positivity.

You Matter

You are your own friend and you uplift yourself. You don’t have to constantly try to change yourself and explain your circumstances to fit in.

As your goals get bigger and you start getting better at your craft you may lose people. I have lost people through jealousy, ego, misunderstandings. It’s tough because I never expected they leave. You have to remember that you can’t control what people think of you and how people treat you. You can’t control people changing. You can control how you react. Let go of expectations and just be there for you.

Life is filled with different circumstances that sometimes you can’t explain. Many people won’t understand what goes on in your life and you have to learn to let it go. If they exist, the right people will understand your silence and your circumstances. Otherwise just keep loving yourself and keep yourself busy in your work!

Don’t take things personally and don’t wait for an apology. It will leave you feeling restless and you will lose focus on your work.

Most importantly acknowledge your feelings because they matter. You matter.

My initial home music studio!

For the last few years my home music studio has been around the house. It always varied by what place is the quietest and where I don’t disturb my family and neighbors for those late sessions. 🙂

Here is a pic from last year:

Testing mics late at night, it’s almost dawn.

One of the things you might be wondering is why I’m singing far away from the mics. I was doing an experiment with stereo recording from far away to get a natural reverb/ambience sound. I’m using a pair of MXL 603s. These are great small condenser mics for a reasonable price.

You also might be wondering why I’m using cardboard boxes. These are actually very handy for portable music studios like mine. They make great tables to put your gear, laptop for DAW, and instruments.

I’m excited that this year I finally have my own little music studio room. Pics coming soon!