Currently, I am in an interesting space as far as my music is concerned. I will not say that I am blocked because I am not. I have not been writing or performing as much as I think I should, but in some way I am okay with that. Somewhere along the line, I adopted this belief that in order to be a “serious songwriter,” I had to be pumping out a certain amount of songs per week, month or year. Now, I do believe that honing one’s craft is important and vital whatever your genre may be, but the truth that has emerged for me is that when I am writing songs, I am a songwriter and when I am not writing songs, I am still a songwriter-- because everything that I am doing is contributing to what comes out of me musically and otherwise. Creation is not just about what we put out, but also what we put in.
My partner and I had a conversation last night about filling ourselves up so that we can engage the world with what spills over. And that’s where I am with my music, my art—filling up on life. And I feel good.
Here are some of the ways I am filling up:Reading a lot of books
Preparing and eating good foods
Enjoying being in a loving and fun partnership
Listening to good music
Watching good movies
Writing in my journal
Long walks
Connecting with amazing people
What are some of the ways that you fill up to spill over? Please share.
3 comments:
Hey Mama...It's been a looooong time. But I am so happy that you are engaged in life so fully! Some ways I am filling up are writing, journaling, playing my bass guitar, cooking wonderful foods, publishing my book, going to school, and West African dancing.
Wow Danielle, I didn't know you picked up the bass. That is so amazing!
Yes it has been a long time yet when we connect however we do, it doesn't feel that way! Let's be sure to stay in touch. How are things with you? How's Hawk? Sending you much love.
I agree, Gabe. Through participating in the Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute, I really began to understand the importance of building context. Our work is not produced in a vacuum. In order to create informed pieces, we must be informed people. So everything we take in is a part of building that context.
Now, what am I filling up on? Finding new and exciting adventures for our homeschool experience; Communing with other people (SO IMPORTANT); Visioning and Asset Mapping with some of the women from the UBW Institute.
I'm continuing to build upon myself, constantly refining what it means to be ME. :D
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