I spent the first weeks of summer completing the hymn project. I had been recording songs, or at least ideas of the arrangements, as time permitted, over the last few months, but June was crunch time.

When working on a project, I usually record more songs than will actually make the final CD cut. Sometimes the selections are tough, but usually based on the general flow of the CD, and of course variety in style and tempo is paramount. 

I made the decision to not include one of my favorite hymns, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," and recorded two new songs at the last minute, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "Blessed be the Name."  I am very pleased with the end result.  Perhaps "Great is Thy Faithfulness" will be included on a future work.

I spent the end of the second week in June up in Norfolk, Virginia where I played two events for an "I DO" celebration weekend honoring Frank and Sherry Powell. Their family is like a second family to me – such great people, such a great time!

Once back home, I began working with Karen Nickel and Anna Sanders on the artwork for the project. I had some ideas, and the final project was everything I envisioned and more. If you ever need photos or graphic art design, Karen Nickel Photography is the place to call.  You can visit her website at www.karennickelphotography.com.

While working on all the fine details for the CD--graphics, mixing, editing, I was also preparing to start rehearsals for Smoke On the Mountain.  The show is produced by the Georgia Mountain Players in Gainesville, Georgia and will run for three weeks beginning August 12th.  This will be the 18th year that GMP has produced this show!  I am truly excited to work alongside this awesome cast in a fun show that has become a time honored tradition.  You can visit www.georgiamountainplayers.org for information on showtimes.

At present, the artwork for the CD is complete as well as the long and tedious editing process.  Despite a few glitches in proof editing with the recording company and a holiday weekend delay, the CD is now in production!  I look forward to having them in hand towards the end of the month.

In the meantime, I am back to work on a project I had started before the hymn project. It is all original compostion and should be coming out late fall. It is coming along nicely, but now I think it is time take a break before the summer is over.

I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer. I'm loving mine!

Chad

I just wanted to take the time to thank each of you who have taken out the time to read the blogs I have posted.  As you can tell, I have taken some time away from blogging.  I apologize for the absence; however, there are only so many hours in the day.  I had to prioritize my time so that I could get my upcoming projects released according to schedule. 

I tell you -- creating, recording, designing, arranging, updating the website, performing etc.... It's a full time job.  It's hard to get it all done when you already have a full time job.  You do what you can, when you can, and just keep your head up and truck along. 

I am excited that things are going according to schedule and I do plan to pick back up the blogging.  You may notice some changes.  My goal for the blog is that you the listener get to know me on a more intimate level.

Some of the upcoming blogs will be like the previous blogs -- designed to inspire, while others I will just be sharing with you the day to day details in my life.  Other times you might even see the weaker side as I vent about unpleasant circumstance I may be experiencing, and occasionally you might find that the blog is purely for your entertainment. 

No matter what the subject, it will give you the listener a glimpse into my life.  Hope you will check out the blogs!

PS.  Hope you are making plans now to get your copy of Revisited: Hymns Of My Childhood.  For more information on this soon to be released CD, check out the news page here on the website.  You can also listen to clips of the tracks on the music page. 

Take care -- love to you all,

Chad

Two People

Outward Appearance:

Both seem to have their lives put together, running smoothly and doing well.

Inward Actuality:

Person A: Operates out of their mind. They seem so strong, so well put together, so poised and calm. Inside is a different story. The mind is bustling about, going 100 miles/hour shouting out instructions right and left.

Sometimes the instructions are to be proactive while at other times reactive. The change from proactive to reactive can occur in mid-stream just as the call to change the course of the Titantic was hastily shouted without warning.

When the action or reaction is not getting the job done, then it always serves to add a good dose of manipulation. Manipulation is a great way to get things to move on the course which you desire.

Ocassionally you find that none of these tactics are working. Don't worry, the mind never skips a beat. When all else fails you pull out the really big artillery – guilt! Guilt, when applied appropriately and in the right dosage, can really work wonders to control others and circumstances.

Now you may wonder -- How can one know which course of action to take in a given moment, or how the mind can work fast enough to keep up with how quickly things can change in life – how does one manage to stay on top of it all? Well, that is easy to explain.

When you are dealing with a mind that works this hard and is successful in pulling off the apperance of a "well put together life," you are dealing with a mind fueled by pride and fear. Pride and fear are two of the biggest drugs to send the mind on an overdrive trip.

While everything we have already discussed is frantically going on, the mind is simultaneously shouting out orders how to compose facial exressions and body language. One cannot pull off the appearance of a "well put togther life" if the face and body are going to reveal a different story.

Now realize, successfully running your life using these methods does not occur overnight. It takes years of practice to truly become a master of this lifestyle. Some people really like the success and results they achieve when operating in this mode.

The most common side effect one will face while using the methods mentioned above is the constant exhaustion. It can truly be draining to have the mind work this hard and this fast, non-stop. Most people eventually get so accustomed to the exhaustion that they hardly even realize that something is wrong.

A necessary recommendation for this type of life includes making sure you get away at least once a year. You need to get far away from everyone you know so that you can "let your hair down" and go wild. People who are constanly put under this type of pressure need moments where they can do things that their controlling mind will never let them do.

While on these "get away" trips, people will often experience urges to do things that normally would never cross their minds. To avoid this "over-the top" decompression, I highly recommend taking up excessive drinking or substance abuse so that you can give your mind a "mini-break" each evening.

Taking some form of a break is absolutely necessary for this type of lifestyle or the mind will eventually "give out" and you will lose it at some point. The recovery from this experience takes a very long time and in some cases, full recovery is not possible.

Person B:

Person B also exemplifies the qualities of a well put together, poised, and calm life.  Type B persons achieve this quality of living through a different approach. They employ a strategy I call "calm strength".

People who operate out of calm strength are those who spend time daily in some form of meditation and/or prayer. They seek to live their lives being directed by spirit rather than by their minds.

These people use their energy to quiet the mind so that they can authentically experience life. While quieting the mind, they learn to walk gracefully through every circumstance that arises rather than trying to control circumstances and others. People who practice calm strength realize that their focus cannot be outwardly, but inwardly. They realize that the practice of daily quieting the mind is non-negotiable if they are to flow in spirit.

While operating out of calm strength, one's true personailty begins to emerge. Operating out of calm strength does not mean that one has to become pious, quiet all the time, or even religious – it simply means that they tap in to who they are authentically and are comfortable in his or her own skin.

People who are comfortable in their own skin and living authentically do not need to constantly "re-invent" themselves or change personalities or beliefs based on the crowd they are around. They are capable of achieving peace and happiness in most circumstances. When the circumstance is so bad that peace or happiness is truly not obtainable, they are then capable of remaining calm – even in the midst of the turmoil.

Those who practice calm strength do not have a need to participate in activities such as slander or judgements on others or the actions of others. (These tactics are very useful for the person who is trying to control life by manipulating others and campaign for self- promotion.)

"B-type" people realize that everyone is "writing" their own story and interpet things according to their own personal beliefs, experiences or religious teachings. They realize that people's actions, words and opinions are truly their "own" creations and are designed to portray life as they interpret it, but that does not make it truth. Because of this understanding, "B-type" people do not have a need to react to other's words or actions.

The practice of calm strenth requires that the one practicing realize that they are responsible for their words, actions and interpretations of other's words and actions.

Just like Person A, Person B spends many years of practice working toward mastery of calm strength – it does not occur overnight. Calm strength can be very difficult to master for if often goes against all formal teachings. Those interested in practicing calm strength must be willing to spend time in stillness and quiet. Calm strength is found in truth. Seek and ye shall find – knock and the door shall be opened.

Each of us is practicing a method of experiencing life. Which path do you travel?

We all hate hearing that four letter word – WAIT. I never could stand that word as a child when I was ready to go swimming, ready to eat, go to a friend's house, go ride my bike...

Some things never change – as an adult I still don't like that word even though it often comes in the form of a red light when I'm in a hurry, a long line at the check out counter, a phone call that I'm not getting, a delay in the "big break" that I need, people not responding as quickly as I inquire... There are many different occasions in life that can become a wait situation -- finding that new job, car, house, significant other, getting that promotion, selling a posession, transforming our life...

Waiting is a part of life. We should all be used to it by now, yet how many times do we feel the stress begin to build, the rage began to boil, or the depression begin to take hold when we are asked to wait. Remember that what we do today determines who we will be tomorrow. So every time we're waiting, that time is factoring into the "who we will be tomorrow."

How do you use your wait time? Do you use it to build a better you? There are many different approaches we can take during our "wait" times. If it's a short time wait like a red light or cashier's line, we can use it as that moment in our day to "breathe." The time could also be well spent in offering a prayer of gratitude – something we should do every day but don't necessarily always find the time to do it.

If your wait period involves selling a house, finding a life companion, transforming yourself, getting a job promotion – I don't suggest that you only use the techinques mentioned above or you will have an unbalanced life. Yes, you will have expressed every ounce of gratitude you can muster and you should be quite chilled out, but you will miss a lot of life.

Ironic isn't it? How often do we miss out on life while we are waiting? Many people forget to live while they are waiting. They get so caught up in the joy of what they will have that they fail to experience the joys of what they have already received.

Hold your intention on what you are waiting for, but also remember to stop and live. If you become so focused on that one intention, it's like having your best friend with you for every minute -- of every day – for every experience -- for quite some time.

You may love your best friend and see them or talk to them every day but face it, you do have time away from them. If you never got a moment away – even for a week – you would probably find all of those feeling of love turn into frustration, agrravation, annoyance... We call that "good feelings gone bad."

Well, it works the same way while waiting and holding an intention. If you forget to live and you only hold to that intention – you will find that your thoughts become ones of doubt, fear, failure, disbelief. In the end, you are driving away that which you desire the most.

Exhale, chill, relax – plan, visualize, work hard, -- be grateful, have fun, be silly – life is like a tight rope wire--you've got to stay balanced if you don't want to fall off. Yes, there will be times of wait, but don't forget to continue living while you're waiting.

Ok.

I'm going to do it.

I'm going to do it today.

It's not the first time I've done it.

It won't be the last.

Yet, it's something I must continue to do if I don't want to be stuck in the past.

Today I'm "Letting Go." I'm letting go of all of those heartaches, joys, mistakes, victories, accomplishments, lessons learned... Of course I'll hold onto the memories of each heartache, every joy, all of those crazy mistakes, the victories won, all of those accomplishments made -- and I hope to never forget the lesson learned (even though – sometimes I do!).

Yes, I'll hold onto the memories! I'll hold onto them like a photo album – something you pull out from time to time to reminisce over the beautiful gift of life you've been given. Yes, I'll hold onto the memories like a photo album, but never like a roadmap!

When we use the memories of our past like a roadmap, we find ourselves sitting still, getting lost, or going in circles. Yes, we detour because we're afraid of getting our heart broken again. We keep going down the same street to find joy, when it has moved to another location. We don't travel very far, without making a mistake. We also keep traveling down a one way street trying to find victory and accomplishments when they can actually be found in many different places.

There are new mistakes to make, lessons to learn, more heartaches to experience, victories to be won and accomplishments to claim. Seize the day! We often hear the term, "Live each moment like it is your last." Well, I challenge you to live each moment like it is the first. Live each moment as you did when you were a child before you were taught fear, dissapointment, failure and pride.

Yes, I'm letting go so I can move forward. It's not the first time and it will not be the last. Will you join me?

Every day we are bombarded! Television, Radio, Family, Friends, Co-Workers... everyone has an opinion about things we need, status to be achieved, how we should look, what we should believe, how we should spend our money, how we should spend our time... the list goes on and on. Even though the intention is often good, we sometimes find ourselves creating a life out of everyones opinions.

Other times, we are living a life of desires and dreams that are "out-dated". As our bodies age with each passing year, so can the things that mean the most to us. What once topped your list of "important things" may not even make the list today.

You might have once been into designer clothes while now you find it more important to spend time with your children or loved ones. You would rather work less and do without some things in order to have more quality time with the ones you love.

Some people spend their life wanting the same as whatever person or influence is around at the time. You've seen those people, they are passionate about a topic, belief or idea until the next "craze" enters their life. The new passion can be introduced by a friend, family member, lover or even the latest book they are reading. From day to day you never know what they will be proclaiming or desiring.

So many people, so many lives – some being lived authentically, while others are still living the life that has been placed upon them, or the one that simply "shows up". When is the last time you have stopped to take time to search your soul? It is important to stay connected to our spirit and realize what is truly important to us.

Take time to sift through your spirit and see what you find. See what ideas really come from your spirit and which ones are false ideas gathered from other sources. Are your intentions and desires rooted in love and service? Maybe you find that some of your intentions and desires come from greed or a source of low self-esteem.

Gently search your soul. Be patient with all you find. Love yourself just as you are now and know that as you continue your soul-search in love, truth will be shown unto you. Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened. Take time to search your soul and grow into the authentic you that is a channel of energy and love.

I'm struggling right now – struggling with what my life is vs. what I desire it to be. I look back and realize how I have lived an entire life of fear, always worried about what others would think. I came by this innocently, for I was taught to be this way.

I can still hear those words to this day... "What would people say if they saw you... what would people say if they knew... what would people say about..." Over and over I was taught to worry about what other people think.

The price of worrying what others think can be costly. It can go something like this:

wearing clothes that are really not your style,

dating a person that you know others think is right for you rather than the one your heart tells you to pursue,

staying in a relationship in which you do not want to be,

acquiring status and position that you really do not care about,

working in a job that you cannot stand,

pursuing financial status rather than an enjoyable life,

acting like you don't have money or possesions when you do,

saying things that you really do not believe in, or doing things that you really do not enjoy,

acting concerned about things you do not care about,

being ashamed of people that you love and care about,

pushing away people you truly care about,

being afraid to take risks,

always being afraid to truly follow your heart,

The list goes on and on, and for each person it will be different. What is the price you have paid in your life because you were worried about what others would think?

Now, put together all of the different circles of people in your life, and you will find thatoften they will have different views. You can find yourself telling five different versions of the same story. You have to modifiy your story from group to group or from one person to the next because you are so determined that everyone should think highly of you at all times.

STOP! What are you doing? What am I doing? Each of us is on a journey that is intended for only us. When we stop and truly listen, the path will be shown. Hopefully we are traveling on the road that is ours, but more often, I fear that people are lost in the woods traveling trail after trail because of the opinions or advice of others.

We have grown so accustomed to people's approval that we only know ourself through the thoughts of others. Often people can only feel good about themselves when others do. It is never too late to become authentic, to take the road less traveled – the one that was meant for you. It is time to realize – I'm Ok.

I'm ok – even when I don't live my life so that you can feel good about yourself.

I'm ok – even when I choose a job that you would not choose for me.

I'm ok – even when I spend my money in ways that you find unacceptable.

I'm ok – even when the one I love is not your choice for me.

I'm ok – even when I don't care about things that you think are important.

I'm ok – even when I don't do things the way you would do them.

Go ahead -- make your "I'm ok" list. Grasp the truth that this is your life, and you are the one responsible for how it is lived. The only way to live it successfully is to live it authentically.  It is up to you to find your true authentic self and embrace the life that was meant to be yours.

You know that feeling that we can often get when it rains? The feeling that the world is cold and we are all alone. Many people have feelings of depression when it rains.

I stopped to contemplate why people dislike rainy days. As I sat and meditated upon this idea, it occured to me that rain often stops the activites upon which people derive their energy.

Think about it – on a sunny day you are driving down the road listening to your music and dancing along – life is great. On a rainy day, how many times have you had to turn off the radio so you can "concentrate". Music gone – big source of energy for many people.

On a sunny day people are off going shopping, walking, biking, out to eat, car rides, trips to the park, etc. However, when it rains, many of our energy producing activities can be canceled or become more of a situation of stress rather than joy. It can be such a hassle just getting yourself out of the house. It's even harder for those who are responsible for getting others out into the weather.

Now factor in that on a rainy day the sun has gone into hiding. The sun is the one common energy source from which we all draw energy. Take away a huge engery source and couple that with taking away the other previously mentioned energy sources and also realize that everyone around you is being effected by this shift in energy. (Many people simply live off the energy of people around them) With all of these energy sources being affected, you realize that on a rainy day you pretty much have to rely within for your source of energy.

Herein lies the problem. Many people are so busy during the joyous days of sun that they forget to take time to nurture their spirit. They forget to daily remember who they are and what is truly important. They forget that true happiness is found within and not through the distractions of life.  People who do not take time to energize themselves inwardly have nothing to draw upon when left to their own suppply.

Those who are successful along their journey in life are the ones who learn to look within for their truest source of happines. They are the ones living life "inside - out" rather than "outside - in". They embrace the other energy sources of life as an additional blessing but realize that real living comes when comfortable in your own skin – even when all alone.

The first step toward living is finding yourself authentically, not vicariously. Next time it rains, takes some time to get all by yourself and look deep within. Get to know your true self and realize what a beautiful part of creation you truly are!

Sunset always signifies that another day is coming to an end. Just as life is filled with endings, it is also filled with new beginnings. As we are on the sunset of 2009, I ask you to please take some time to reflect over your year.

Take time to remember the joys and give thanks.

Take time to remember the hurts and release/forgive them.

Take time to remember your mistakes and learn from them.

Take time to remember the lessons learned and hold onto them.

Take time to let go of 2009 and prepare to embrace 2010.

Life is not the past, nor the future. Life is now. Live each day to the fullest and know that whether that day is good or bad, there will be a sunset. Make each day a journey to remember.

I hope that your holiday season includes some time having a conversation with an old friend. There is nothing like talking to someone who has been along and observed your journey. Someone who knows your in and outs – celebrates your good qualities and tolerates the bad. One who loves you for who you are and doesn't ask or require you to be anything different.

Old friends are the ones who have rejoiced in times of triumph, wiped your tears when things were bad, helped pick you up when you fall down, held your hand when you have been afraid, comforted you when times were troubled, believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself.

Old friends are the ones that you may talk to quite frequently, or maybe not. You may only speak to them occasionally or when something big happens in your life; however, an old friend is one where you always "pick-up" right where you left off the last time. Frequency and duration of conversation is irrelevant because they are always there with you – always in your heart.

Old friends can't be bought with money, they don't fade with time. They don't need you to entertain them, they just love sharing time. 

I am blessed to have several dear old friends. Thanks for all of your love, support -- and also for helping to keep me in line. I love you all dearly!