"Uncertainty is the refuge of hope."

Henri Frederic Amiel

This singer hasn’t made a public appearance in nearly two weeks.  Truth be told, I’ve done nothing to advance my desire to perform.

Oh, I could make excuses. I have a million of them and they mostly center around my busy schedule.  Pish-Posh!   I am not going there.

The bad economy did have me take some action.  I cancelled my voice coaching sessions.  I also turned down a very talented artist’s request to work with me on voice lessons.   I told them both that when things turn around I will let them know what might be possible.

I am grateful for the volunteer work I do at the Durham VA Medical Center.  At least I know there will be singing on my menu at least once every quarter.. with the wonderful opportunity I have to honor and serve.

Guess all things considered, things aren’t so bad.  I am waiting to hear back from a booking agency.  They are looking for a singer to sing at a cocktail party in Charleston, South Carolina.  It’s a Piccola Spoleto event in June.  I tell ya, if that gig comes through, I’ll be truly over the moon!

Until I hear something.. I’m going with the philosophy that no news is good news!

My new good friend Wayne Free with the Embers has turned me on to a website that helps singers with their vocals.  It’s run by Brett Mannings at www.singingsuccess.com.

This website will assist me with my vocal work without having to pay a coach.  At least that is my hope.

Now that I’ve got this nothing shaking blog out of my system, I’m feeling better about the musical journey that I was thinking was growing kind of flat right about now.  Perhaps not.

Onward + Upward everyone…

"The obstacles you face are mental barriers which can be broken by adopting a more positive approach."

C.Blasier

"It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself."

Eleanor Roosevelt

It’s been a week of madness at work. Balance was not present at all.  My body rhythms got way out of whack and it resulted in me failing to show up at places to see people who were expecting me.

What it was was irresponsibility .  I had to write a quick blog about the importance of keeping your word.

There was a time when it was said in society that a man’s word was his honor. It was everything. Judgements were made and reputations were established based on whether others could count on you to keep your word.

I messed things up pretty bad for myself by not showing up at all for one meeting, and being dangerously late for another one.  That’s just two of the glaring screw ups I made.  I took the time to clean up what I had messed up and I think I’m still in good standing with the people I affected.

This uncomely behavior’s just NOT like me. I am known to be reliable. Perhaps that’s what saved me and kept me in the good graces of the people I left hanging.

People are judged by their actions, so if we want to be seen as dependable, trust-worthy, honest and honorable, we have to show ourselves that way.

I was left with a very unsettling feeling what with all the madness.  It got me thinking about my musical journey, "What if I failed to show up on time for a performance?…  And this bad behavior became a  habit.. And then I became known for it?"

Not being your word can potentially kill a career..  Quash a dream.

Not wallowing.. Just getting clear about this.

Never, I say. Not again.  Learn the lesson and move on.