I met a new friend for a tea tonight (remember her?) It was a beautiful first friend date! We were vibing in the same space our entire conversation! We share so much in common and are going to find a way to collaborate. She is super cool; I am super excited!
She had to leave right as the music was beginning in our little cafe, but live music has a way of pulling me in, and I knew wanted to stay for at least a little while. The opening artist, Gil, introduced himself and about 3 other people, making it clear they were each going to be performing throughout the evening.
Gil started the evening with with some original songs, his voice was soft and smooth. His first song spoke of the moon and I was hooked. After his opening, he passed the stage off to his friend who recited poetry. Then he passed it off to his next friend who brought it to a whole new level. Among other things, he entranced us with an Appalachian ballad and Spanish war song; his voice had a soulfulness that cannot be fabricated, his artistry was as evident as his hair was black.
The three of these guys bounced around a bit, rotating time on the stage and with the microphone. At a certain point, maybe only 35 minutes into the show, Gil pointed directly at me and said, “How about you?” I looked around for a second to make sure he was pointing at me, thought about it for a half-second, and thought “What the heck! Life is short, right?”
Since moving to California, it is like my creative spirit and energy has been unleashed in a new way. I think this is a product of the new stimulus all around me, like a baby I am seeing everything for the first time. The sky looks more blue, the sun is more beautiful, and watching the waves come into the ocean has a way to transport me to a different space, a new plain.
I see this inspiration as a gift and have been allowing my creativity to flow freely. I have been writing poetry, songs, and free-styling my way through these first few weeks. I recently heard someone describe themselves as a heartist; that is, someone who creates with their heart first, the product of this creation, the art, especially in my case, comes second. This art form is the vulnerability to allow your heart to be a channel for this creation, whatever that creation or art might be. My heartistry is allowing this creativity to not only flow freely, but also to cultivate this sense of self, carve this new identity and write this new chapter.
So, what better way to do this than to perform in a small cafe in LA, right? I walked to the front, told my story (a little more condensed than I just did here) and with some affirmative nods in the crowd, I launched into my song. The first one that I feel was gifted to me by the great Pacific.
I get lost in the motion of the waves and the sand
the sun and the stars and the moon in my hand
the stars are shining brightly and I’m down below
wishing and hoping that you will know
that I’m down below and I’m looking above
that I’m wondering and hoping and wishing for love
you know what I am saying, you hear my words now?
do you think what I think, do you see me now?
I’m right here below with two feet on the ground
I’m down here below and I’m looking around
I see the glow of the sun fall behind
the water that meets the winds in my mind
I get lost in the motion of the waves and the sand
the sun and the stars and the moon in my hand
the stars are shining brightly and I’m down below
wishing and hoping that you will know
My heart knows what to say and it leads my way
my mind follows my heart and takes its same path
yes, I lead with my heart and I look behind
I see my mind and I wait for a sign
Do you hear my words can you feel my heartbeat
can you see what I see and retreat when I retreat
because I am down here below with my feet in the sand
and my heart in my hand
I’m holding it out, can you reach from above?
Can you grab it from me and fill it with love?
‘Cuz I am standing right here with two feet on the ground
and I’m standing and hoping that you’ll hear me now
Two feet on the ground and my heart is outstretched
and I am standing and hoping that you will catch
I get lost in the motion of the waves and the sand
the sun and the stars and the moon in my hand
I was shaking a little bit, but I sang from my heart. I sat down and people around me commented on my courage and complimented my self expression. I said, “thank you, I think this will build some character!” Soon after, a guy sitting in the back corner came up to Gil and asked if he could perform a song. He said he had never sang in public before, but my performance made him want to try! Then another guy behind me went up! He too had never performed in LA, but had done open mic’s in the past. Next there was a woman who explained her artistry as more of a visual artist, but her daughter is a vocal artist and she told us about her and played one of her songs! Honestly, this was all so magical. Finally, a woman came up and give an impromptu stand-up sketch about the presidential election, and who she is going to write in next week on election day. *Hint: she closed with a bubblegum song that sang “Ringo for President!” I guess she is the biggest Beatles fan around.
Can you believe it? All because I shrugged and said “Sure” to a “How about you?” The night transformed into this amazing space of sharing, affirming, and embracing the creative spirit within all of us; embracing the beautiful, soulful, artistic nature that we all possess, but often neglect or cast aside as an accent, rather than our focal piece. I left with about 8 new friends. I don’t know when or if I’ll see them again, but I am so happy that I shared this time with them. Our connection was so pure and our collective heartistry was shining in its full glory. Amen, LA! I think I’ll like it here.
this little light of mine 