It's What I Do

Ever since I began (with full intention in 2007) opening my awareness to the workings of the Universal Law, I can see clearly my pathways and how I have allowed myself to be led by my Higher Guidance (God). At no other time has it been more apparent than during the last six months.

      In preface, some of you have heard me mention that I am a SpiritSong Teacher, graduated in 1993, and had a full practice of song circles and private sessions in my home in Massachusetts before moving west. This process of SpiritSong has been my passion, my heart’s work, since I stepped into my first SpiritSong circle in 1991 led by Mary Elizabeth Wheeler and Shawna Carol (www.goddesschant.com). I have attempted several times since moving out here to Arizona in 2004 to restart the practice, with no success. I did start (as guided by Spirit on my trip out here) "gathering the women" by creating a successful monthly gathering in Anthem that virtually ran itself for 6 straight years.   

      In 2008 I was on the verge of losing my beautiful new home and considering bankruptcy. I was done trying to make it work. I finally surrendered, let go and prayed to God, “Please show me how I can serve. This is clearly not working.”

     Within a week I met Sharon Bush and Jim Yeaw, the ministerial team at Unity Spiritual Center in Sun City. They were looking for a Music Director who could lead their congregation in singing. It was a perfect fit and I took on the new endeavor with enthusiasm and gratitude. Since coming on board, I have learned so much from both ministers, from working in a team, from allowing myself to get immersed in a loving community of very special people, and from leading an terrific group of singers. I have gained life-long friends here and I have been happy.

     And yet, there was something still calling me – but I didn’t know what it was. I started feeling, somewhere around Eastertime (right after Mom's visit to Phoenix), a big change was coming. I was planning a summer trip to Mt Shasta, CA where I have been drawn for some time. So naturally, my brain began to think "Hmmm, I wonder if that's where I'll be headed eventually." But, as is my practice, I let it go, leaving it to God to show me the way.

      Then, in late July, I attended the Sound Connections Conference at Unity Village, gaining more knowledge and accumulating more inspirational music to bring home to my church family. One evening, the special guest of the weekend, Karen Taylor-Good (www.karentaylorgood.com), began to sing these words:

      It’s what I do

      It’s who I am

      It’s in my heart

      Out of my hands

      It’s my passion

      It’s my truth

      I’ve got no choice

      It’s what I do.

I began to sob – the song touched me to the very core of my being. “My passion” is SpiritSong and I felt the depth of that truth right there in that very moment, in every fiber of my being. I had put it down, let it go, and now here it was again calling me again. Following the concert, I walked over to the Fillmore Chapel and sang my own spirit song for the first time in 3 years. It was cathartic and energizing. I came back to Arizona with a renewed commitment to start up a SpiritSong circle in my home in Surprise. I even spoke about it with some friends and they all were very excited about attending. Great! And as had become my practice, I let it go with a prayer, "God, show me the way. I tried before my way. Now You show me how."

      And then, only one week later, my sister Judy arrived for a visit to Phoenix which would be followed by our adventure to Mt. Shasta. As she entered the car at the airport she was jabbering on about how busy she is with Ben Speaks (www.benspeaks.org) for which I serve on the Board of Trustees as well as the Music Director for the annual fundraiser "A Concert to Remember" (this year, not coincidentally, featuring Karen Taylor-Good!). Her excitement was contagious, and it was clear she was in need of help and needed skills she didn’t possess. Out of my mouth came these words, “I’m open to coming home.” What???? WHAT???? This came out of ME - me who has said I would never return to the northeast. What had I heard so many times before? Never say never. Seriously, I had no preconceived notion that those words would ever escape my lips. And yet, there they were.

     After Judy's jaw dropped, she said, "Lyndsey, that makes the most sense!!" And it did, for many "Ben Speaks" reasons but also for reconnecting to my passion of SpiritSong. She told me there have been many people still expressing their hope that I would return and start up SpiritSong again. Really? Didn't know that!

     So the big change, the big move, was not Northwest - it was Northeast all along. I have spent seven years in the desert. And it turns out, Judy was told upon my (and to her, very sad) departure on 9/11/2004 not to worry. A spirit medium told her, "She's going to the desert to heal. She'll be back in seven years. Mark my words." The memory of this returned to Judy's consciousness after I said I was open to coming home.

     We went on to Mt. Shasta, CA and had a terrific vacation filled with inspirational ideas on how to expand Ben Speaks, how and where we would live, how it would all work out magically. And my mother? Well, she is beside herself with joy. And so am I, Mama-Lu!

     And Karen - thank you for that song! We played it over and over again during our vacation, along with the many wonderful songs on your new CD, Let The Light In. Such a talent!

Happy Birthday to Me!

The 60s - the new 40s? Well, I don't think so. Physically, I'm feeling the aging mostly because I have let myself go without much exercise. My bad, but I just got a NEW BIKE for my birthday. Watch out, old lady in the street! Emotionally and spiritually, however, I'm feeling quite good. I love being me - and thank goodness because there is no one else I can be. I think I have embraced myself more than ever in this last year. I love who I am, I love what I'm doing in this world, and I have started on a new adventure of singing in hospice situations. My heart soars each time I connect with someone's spirit and sing it's essence. Love never felt better. It is a privilege to sit with these beautiful souls as they move into another dimension. Thank you, God, for leading me in this direction.

Mother's Day

Such a beautiful song I'm hoping to sing on Sunday. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Z9sXqr44s - A Mother's Love.

Mom was here for 12 days, probably her last time flying across the country. She was so tired from the trip - she barely recovered before she had to make the return trip. It does get harder and harder as we grow older - I'm feeling it myself. I feel less and less inclined to leave my home here in Arizona. I have a great part time job leading the music team at Unity Spiritual Center in Sun City. Mom joined our choir for the Easter services this year. It was a lovely day.

Wishing all mothers a peace-filled day of contentment. You have done the very best you could to make sure our needs were met as youngsters and teenagers. I'm sure it was really hard - and much of the reason I chose not to have children. Being the oldest of 6, I was Mommy's helper starting at age 8, and sometimes feel like my younger siblings are more like my own kids until I left home at 18. Then my late sister, Candace, took over when Mom became a single mother in a brand new state.

Mom, I honor your life and all you did to keep us all safe. I am here to help you whenever you need me. Just call and I'll be there.

Yes, You Can Sing!

There are so many people who "think" than can't sing! It boggles my mind! Sure, most people are not "performance ready" but everyone, without exception unless they are mute due to some medical condition or birth defect, can sing. There are all sorts of excuses, "I can't sing on key." to "My mother told me to keep shut up every time I sang." to "My husband will leave me if I utter a sound." Seriously, really? Where did all this shame come from? I believe this deep shame around being heard singing is most prevelent in our great USA. With our adulation of the music celebrities, it is no wonder we feel "less than" in every way on a daily basis. I have my own struggles with sounding "good enough", yet logically I KNOW I have a good voice and am a very good performer even.

My mission on this planet during my lifetime this time around is to help as many people as possible, one person at a time, find their confidence in singing. Singing is our birthright - every one of us was given the apparatus to sing. And singing is one of the most healing activities in which we can engage. Our own, personal vibration is the most healing for our own physical system. It is right here, in our own body! I have been using my own in many special ways for my own healing - physical, mental and emotional for more than 20 years. I have literally "found myself", "remembered who I really am" and "gotten my s... together" by singing, alone, in the moment, with sheer abandon. Whether using a favorite record (singing along with Barbra Streisand is especially healing!) or just singing whatever comes out in the moment (with or without words), my singing has changed me to my core.

Just breathe, and sing! Let it come out!