Motivational Mondays: Will we get there?

21 fifteen-minute practices on journey back to my music

Twenty-one 15-minute practices on journey back to music

In honoring my commitment to reconnect with my music, I have decided to create a list of twenty-one 15-minute musical practices for 21 days to assist me in getting back into the habit of working on and connecting with my music daily. 15 minutes-- minimum. I will put on the timer and go. If I go over 15 minutes—that’s fine, but I must do a no less than 15 minutes. Thursdays will be the days when I share what’s going on with my music. Here is the list of some of the practices. I have crossed out what I have done so far. Enjoy.

1. Playing instrumentals for 3 or 4 of my songs

2. Play one song repeatedly

3. Sing 3 songs acapella

4. Sing 3 songs with music

5. Breathing exercises

6. Play three new chords

7. Find a quote that I like and improvise with it

8. Play a different instrument

9. Play scales

10. Being learning a new song

11. Record a song

12. Hum

13. Write new lyrics to I’ve already written

14. Create a new melody from chords of a song you’ve written

15. Play a different instrument (whether I know how to play it or not- we have a bass, guitar and piano in our home)

16. Work on an old song htat I never finished writing

17. Revise an old song

18. Sing one of my favorite songs by another artist

19. Write a rap

20. Sing/improv an affirmation

21. Begin learning a song in another language

*If you are in trying to reconnect with your music or music in general, feel free to use this list or add to it. Leave your suggestions in the comments please.

100 things for 2011

I have been reading and inspired by many people who are writing their lists of intentions and wishes for 2011. I think it’s fun and gets our imagination and dreaming muscles pumping.

I have decided to write a list of my own dreams and wishes for the New Year—however big or small. The key is to dream. This list is an adaptation from the “100 things before I die” list that I am working on.

Here are the first 50 items of my list. I plan to have both lists finished by my birthday (January 24th)

My 100 things for 2011
1. Visit New Orleans with my family
2. Give birth naturally
3. Yoga practice daily (class or home)
4. Meditate for 5 minutes min per day
5. Read a book per month
6. Go to a concert/play
7. Mindfulness practices daily
8. Record a new album
9. Launch e-course
10. Re-write and release my book
11. Teach a workshop
12. Learn to knit a scarf
13. Crochet a handbag
14. Make a dress
15. Write 100 blog posts for urbanmamasong
16. Take a road trip
17. Make a trip to Canada
18. Re-launch Urban Mamasong website
19. Go on a retreat with my husband
20. Go on a retreat with sista friends
21. Launch a book/music tour
22. Begin doing work that I LOVE and am called to do
23. Start coaching business
24. Make money doing what I love!
25. Create online community with other amazing women
26. Cultivate community
27. Attend a conference
28. Perform at a festival
29. Collaborate and perform with a percussionist
30. Journal daily
31. Launch Urban mamasong Café
32. Begin singing and performing
33. Devote time daily to music craft
34. Submit writings for publication
35. Host a fundraising house party
36. Attend a NACA workshop
37. Complete one painting a month
38. Launch a 21-day songwriting marathon
39. Learn how to use an MPC2000
40. Create two addition streams of income
41. Write daily
42. Family meals daily
43. Go camping with my family
44. Get in amazing shape
45. Purchase a bike
46. Drink two liters of water a day
47. Go to sleep by 11:00 PM
48. Begin drinking green smoothies daily
49. Increase live food intake by 50%
50. Start composting


How about you start a list of your own-- What are the 100 things that you would like to accomplish/ see/ experience this year? To take it a step further, what are the 100 things that you would like to do before you die? Go ahead, Dream BIG!

Motivational Monday: Vision Boards

Maanav and I spend the evening on New Year's day creating our vision boards for 2011. I am pretty much done, although I could add TONS more. I did not get a chance to do one for 2010, so creating one this year was fun and grounding. 2011 holds so many BIG and exciting things. I am so excited about this year!

Here are a few pics of my vision board thus far.





What is your vision for the new year? What intentions are you setting?

Have a great week and an AMAZING year!!!