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On what you do and don't believe
I want to share something extremely personal. It's a quote from my mother. A little background: My mother has a double masters in pastoral theology and social work. She has a heart for service to the community. She has friends from all walks of life and raised me, by example, to have an open mind and heart. Both my parents raised me to stand up for what I believe in. The circumstances of my life have given me a unique perspective (as unique as anyone else's) and have led me towards advocacy for many causes including but not limited to peace, AIDS awareness, child sex-trafficking awareness and support for victims, minority issues and the issues of the LGBT community. Here's the quote. It's not a complete quote but it's what I'll share with you: "...it's difficult being part of a community where your beliefs differ - but isn't that what a community is all about? Just like family - we love them no matter what - but we don't always agree. Just be kind and continue to listen..." I wanted to share it because I think it applies to not just being part of the community she and I were discussing but for participation in all communities. It applies to being part of a family, a neighborhood, a church, a city, a state, a country and the human race. There will always be difficulties because there will always be differences. This should not discourage you from taking part. Don't be afraid to be around people who think, act, or live differently than you do. It will challenge you beyond your own experience. And, doing so with an open mind and heart will increase the potential for two wonderful things to happen in your life: finding what is truest to your heart so that you may live by it and removing beliefs that are unhealthy and limit your potential as a human being. This is why I chose a church community. Heck, that's why I chose a marriage. Though, I don't think either relationship would last if I wasn't encouraged by both to think for myself and come to my own understanding. Relationships that don't encourage you to think for yourself shouldn't last. You can't live by someone else's belief system if it contradicts what is truest to your own. So, do I always agree with everything? No. But, I'm very grateful to be in a marriage and in a church that leaves room for my diferences and doesn't turn me away because of them. I'm also grateful for what I have learned and what has changed in my own life for having allowed someone to challenge me. We are not islands unto ourselves. Our country and our world need room for differences. Like it or not, as humans we are a community. The potential is everywhere for us to live as one. Be kind. Continue to listen. Love them no matter what. - LM
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Here's a rough demo of a song I wrote a while back. I think it kinda of says what I mean.
Valentine Shmalentine: Be Love
He was a martyr. One of many that we don't celebrate on this day. That's all I know about St. Valentine. But, not all I know about love. It doesn't really bother me that this has become some sort of crazy superficial holiday that celebrates the idea that we should hold one person as special enough to be worthy of our love. It doesn't bother me but, that's not what I believe. I believe love should be shared universaly in as many expressions as possible. We should live for love. We should be love....in all our actions, words, thoughts, etc. Am I love? Yes. Am I perfect in my expression? No. But it's my intention. An intention I have to remind myself of when that annoying person comes my way, my children do something that bothers me or that politician or pundit says something I don't agree with. So, if this is going to be a day that celebrates love, let it be a day of intention to love as perfectly as I can. Let me be love in situations that call for love. And, all situations call for love. Let me be patient with people in traffic. Let me be kind in my thoughts to that person who has been driving me crazy. Let me look beyond what annoys me, what disturbs me...let me leave some space for whatever love brings my way.
I was going to post a new video but the song wasn't appropriate for this day. I'll do that on Monday now that my computer is fixed. <3
-LM
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. - Rumi
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We cannot give what we do not have: We cannot bring peace to the world if we ourselves are not peaceful. We cannot bring love to the world if we ourselves are not loving. Our true gift to ourselves and others lies not in what we have but in who we are. - Marianne Williamson
A song a week (the low down)
I made a public resolution on a Thursday night @GoGirlsMusic Twitter chat during the holidays. The intention is to write a song each and every week this year and set aside time each day for writing. I know full well that by publicly making the resolution I run the risk of disappointing someone. I might disappoint myself. I might disappoint others. I might disappoint both myself and others because, let's face it, not all of them are going to be "hits". But, here I go resolving myself to follow in the footsteps of songwriters I love and not let life distract me from the only "job" I've ever been passionate about. It's the second week of the year and I have just completed song number two. Yay! Ok, so, song number two was really finishing a song I started last year and had forgotten about. Still, it counts! I mean, I'll continue tweeking it and the other as time goes on. But, yeah, done! Now, all I have to do is decide how I'm going to share my progress... I'm open to ideas. I was thinking of blogging a video of my favorite of the month and then having an online review of all the monthly songs via Stageit.com or Google+ Hangout. Hmmmm... I'll decide by the end of the month for sure. Happy new year!!!
Walk don't run (musing)
Walk don't run You're always trying It must be tiring
Slow down some and let the world go by while you and I Walk don't run, don't run, don't run
Funny that you go where you don't want to go Funny you believe what you don't want to know Funny what you do when no one's watching you
Walk don't run You're always trying It must be tiring
Slow down some and let the world go by while you and I Walk don't run, don't run, don't run ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you and chocolate brownies (blog)
Ok, so, $260 and counting to go to Living Water International this season thanks to those of you who tipped and bought CDs from the website to give to friends! THANK YOU! (The 2 for 1 price will continue until Jan 1st at http://www.lauramariemusic.com and money will still go to the cause even after Christmas.) Yay!!! Now on to the brownies: I've been busy baking brownies. Not just any brownies, BLACK BEAN BROWNIES!!! And they are sooooo awesome. No, they don't taste like beans. They are gluten free and delicious and, without all the flour, they are a bit better for you than "normal" ones. (half the fat, twice the protein and 2g of fiber...yeah!) I flat out dare you to try them. I tried three different recipes and combined a couple until I got just the right cakey-ness according to my taste testers. So, if Pete and the boys like them, they have to be good. Do it: Black Bean Brownies (Gluten free) Ingredients Semi sweet chocolate chips Directions 1. First, puree black beens in food processor until smooth (you may need to add a few tablespoons of water) 2. Add other ingredients EXCEPT chocolate chips in processor together until blended. 3. Stir in some chocolate chips 4. Pour into a greased 8x8 cake pan. 5. Bake at 350 F for approximately 30 -35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center 6. Let cool completely before cutting. Noms!!! Happy Holidays: Be Love (yeah, you)
I usually only share things this new with my mailing list but, 'tis the season!
Happy Holidays! It's the time of year again when I start thinking back on what I have and haven't done and what I want to do when the new year rolls in. It's been a great year. I have a lot to be grateful for and look forward to. There's so much I want to do in music and in the world. And, giving is on my mind. I want to share a song with you that I just wrote about the two words that save me from being lost in my own "stuff": Be Love. That's what I want to be. It's a challenge. Sometimes it's a difficult thing to be. :
I hope you have a wonderful, hopeful and inspirational holiday season!!! This year, I've decided to give to Living Water International again so, if you want to help the cause, keep this in mind. You'll be helping me spread the music and the proceeds will help bring clean water to families in need.
Please help me spread the word. Much love, Laura Marie Mission possible
Go to Churchill High School parking lot on Blanco rd now Pick up a box Take it to the grocery store and fill it with items listed on the side Return the box to the Churchill parking lot before noonish That is all Time to begin again (blog)
Closeups at the zooJust a few highlights from our annual trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The gorillas always love to scare onlookers, the tiger gets up close and personal but, my fav was the monkey nativity scene :) Seriously though, zoos often get criticized for all sorts of reasons and should be held to strict standards, but, I like to support their conservation efforts. The Henry Doorly, for example, has helped save many species of plants and animals from extinction and has lead education efforts to help indigenous people conserve their lands and curb deforestation in places like Madagascar. Anyway, enjoy! |
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