There's No Comparison in the Garden

Today is the deadline.
The last chance to prove your worth and submit to all the grandest contests in the land.
At least thats how it felt this morning when I had three emails telling me to enter this song thing and that song thing and then once I win, I will be shiny and glorious. 

I'm going to enter them. I'll spend around $50 today submitting my new song in contests and I will feel shiny and glorious for even trying. yep.

I'm on vacation with my family right now. By vacation I mean, we crashed Jon Butlers School Counselor Summer Conference and he's in meetings and we are swimming at his paid-for hotel. I am in a small space with my 4 small humans, trying to squeeze in a bit of music business here and there and the contest submitting feels like a way to still be getting my music
"Out there" when I'm full time momming. 

Its funny how just 2 weeks ago I told myself I was going to take a break from contests. I had 2 in 1 week this May. The Wildflower in Dallas and the Kerrville New Folk Festival (an hour outside of San Antonio). I had an incredible time at both. I met wonderful humans, and heard fantastic songs, felt all uncomfortable and grow-y in all the best ways. but its still a funky feeling when you don't "win". but then two weeks later, you don't care and you only remember the sparkly parts that made you a better human and you still can't believe you got to be included in such a gorgeous array of talent. and then you keep on keepin' on.

The most magical part about Kerrville this year for me was I got to attend 4 hrs of Song School. I will absolutely try my hardest to get back into NEW FOLK again someday and go to ALL of SONG SCHOOL> with Steve Seskin, Ellis Paul, Amy Speace, Ellis Delaney, and Mary Gauthier. I learned more in that 4 hours then I ever have at any other song clinic. maybe not more, just exactly what I needed to learn in this season of my life...
Mary Spoke about Ego and comparing mind and how to acknowledge, then leave that garbage at the door. All we have is the present moment, the present offering. Stop classifying, and ranking other people compared to you. Its not real. Your worth has no greater or lesser value than anyone else. Your Song isn't better than or worse than. It is Your song and We are honored to get the chance to hear it.
Ellis Delaney was a judge for the New Folk this year, it was wonderful to hear her and get to visit and thank her for her inspiration in my life. Her first session I attended was about goal setting, organizing, and recognizing a clear path and vision for ourselves. It was a day of Dreamers, helping dreamers. She has one of the most beautiful hearts I know. and I am honored to have been "judged" by her. :)
Steve's first class was about beginning with visuals in a story-scape accompanied by the tellers emotions. Amy and Ellis Paul spoke about what they would be teaching in the week and I was dying that I had to leave...gah, what a cool day!

A few months ago I had been commissioned to write a song with the theme "Pick Flowers Not Fights". There is going to be a non-profit Inspirational Event in my area at the end of the summer and several companies and organizations are coming together to do something really cool for our community. I've been asked to speak and share a song about self-confidence. Like most women, I struggle with this subject and didn't know where to begin other than surrounding myself with all the wildflowers I possibly could in hopes it would sprout something... After this day at song school, My song was planted. and once I got home it had bloomed. Its funny how inspiration comes and without the wisdom and wonder that was felt this month I wouldn't have written this song. This Song I needed.  I will be releasing "Pick Flowers Not Fights" in a few weeks. Its about being kinder to ourselves and to others, understanding that the most important relationship we have, is the one we have with ourselves and when we stop operating from ego, we can grow, heal, evolve, into our true authentic selves.  

Thank you Wildflower Festival, Kerrville New Folk, Song School and Every soul that shared your songs with me this month. We are shining, We are Glorious, Its sometimes hard to grow but we are doing it and it is wonderful!  

I will be in Northern Utah at the end of June, Playing in Park City on the 26th, Provo the 27th, and Midway on the 29th. I would love to see you. and share more songs and stories. Im playing with my dear Friends Cherie Call and Brett Raymond. We will be playing our own songs, plus Our Buddy System favorites. You can get tickets for the Provo show HERE. Thank you so much for listening and reading and giving me a place to share my Songs. All we have is the present. All we have is our offerings. Thank you for including my music in your lives. and In your Garden! I love you.

Love, Lyndy     

.