Tuesday, February 21, 2012

"The ones that are crazy enough to change the world, do."

There are themes that keep coming up this week that have got me thinking. The themes are... What are you living for? What makes you happy? What is your purpose? Why do you do what you do? Now these might be questions that you feel you have a confident answer to, and I have felt this way to. As this subject of purpose and creating my life has come up over this past week in numerous forms, from conference calls, to books, to conversations with my mentor, to just a feeling inside of me, I start to wonder.

I was out to dinner the other day with some family. The conversation started off basic, "How have you been?" "What sounds good for dinner"? etc. Basically anything that wasn't confrontational and that broke the ice between us all at dinner. From there it became more direct and almost in a form of interrogation. Questions were directed towards the younger people at the table, what are your plans, goals? Basically insinuating that what these kids are doing is not of worth or value, that they needed to think further about the real world, or about getting a stable 9-5 job with solid benefits and a 401K. Now I get it, this is the way that we all have been taught. You go to school, get your degree,  work a 9-5 job 40 hours a week whether you like it or not. Thats the way its always been, and thats the way it will always be. NOT FOR ME.

This way of thinking to me is completely false. For some people thats what they'll do and they may love it! Good for them! But who has the right to tell someone what there life should look like? More often than not the ones saying "You can't do it" or "When are you going to get a better job", etc are unfulfilled in their own lives. Its easy to take the attention off of you and try to dictate how anothers life will go. I have learned over this past year and especially in this past week that NOONE creates your life expect yourself. YOU are in control of you.

Going back to the themes that have been coming up all week its important to ask yourself. What am I living for? What makes me happy? What is my purpose? What do I want to do? Many people think that asking yourself, "What do I want to do?" doesn't work. That the world doesn't work that way. Im telling you now it does work that way! I would be saddened to give up my entire life and every thing that I was designed to do, to give up my purpose on this earth, so that I could live the "normal, solid" life. Which in some definitions can mean the "unfulfilled, pushing a boulder up hill" life.

If you feel like your pushing a boulder up hill every day you wake up to go to your job or to live your usual life..please for the sake of your sanity STOP!

I have to re-focus myself every single day on what my plan and purpose is. Like almost every one I had a work resume, BUT I threw it away and deleted it from my computer. Working a job and being employed by another person is not my calling. There is no person on the face of the planet that is going to tell me what my life should be like, and what I need to be doing. I have felt empowered in this fact: I own and control my own life. I have made a vow to myself, to my family, and to anyone who knows me on a personal level, that I will live every day in my purpose, my calling, and what fulfills my soul. For me, music and a passion for changing peoples lives through music is what I live for, its what my purpose is. I am designed to do what I do, and any other life path would be going against my design, and thats not good for anyone! ;)

I know this has been a rambling entry, but I feel passionate about doing what you feel and what you know in your heart. There will always be judgment, and people looking down their nose at you for stepping out and doing something against the norm, something different. One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs, "The ones that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." Doesn't make you so crazy anymore when your changing the world and walking in your purpose does it?

Much love,
Tiffany

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Music is powerful.

Last post I talked about how iv'e been letting go when writing, and writing from my core. This has continued to inspire me musically. I have also been struggling with being stuck where I'm at and not being able to change in the way I want to. I've noticed thats something a lot of people relate to, wanting to change, but not being able to. I was feeling really frustrated about this yesterday so I lit a candle and put all of that frustration and emotion into the mic.. It felt liberating to get those thoughts off of my mind and into a song! I felt like a new woman by the end of the song ;) Music is powerful, and I feel blessed that I get to experience it first hand everyday.

 I am also now working with The Brickhouse Band here in Seattle! They are so awesome, and these past few weeks working with them have been so much fun. I did my first show with them on 1/27 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It was a gorgeous venue and was one of the most rewarding shows I've done.. it was so relaxed and exciting. We were all so happy to be there, and it was really good to get out, party on stage, and be with great people. I lock myself in my studio most every day working and to get out and have a good time was refreshing, I am so excited for our upcoming shows! We will be going to Juneau, Alaska in March, which will be amazing! Ive never been to Alaska, and I hear it is beautiful..really pumped!

One thing that I have really been working on is perfecting my craft. I have been disciplining myself to write, work on vocal technique, play piano, etc EVERY single day. It gets really hard to find the time with all the business side of things, fan mail,  submissions for TV/Film, etc. Luckily, I am interviewing this week for my new assistant, this is so exciting for me..I won't have to be doing everything alone any more! Which means, I get more time to make music and do what I love! Ive already started my new daily practices, and its amazing what dedication and commitment do. I have improved so much, and am feeling good about where I'm headed.

I could ramble on for another hour about all the awesome new improvements and changes going on, this year is headed in a great direction.. I can't wait to continue to share my journey with you. Thank you for taking time to read about my experiences and my career, you are always appreciated!

Much Love,
Tiffany
http://www.tiffanyparker.com