"If not now then when?"

I am proud to say that I now have a personal coach. Coach Tim is a fellow music therapist, coworker, friend, and a kindred enthusiast of life who now has a designated role of helping me achieve my goals more effectively than I could on my own, teaching me how I can do and be better, motivate me to be my best, and holding me accountable to my plans to reach my goals and dreams. I've gotten 2 common responses to telling people this:

1. "You got a personal trainer? That's cool."

No, this is not personal training at a fitness gym. Similar concept, bigger vision.

2. "Why do you need this? You are already motivated enough."

I don't NEED Tim as my coach in order to succeed. I'm pretty confident that I could reach my goals without him because I do have a tremendous amount of drive within me. However, it is difficult to keep that up on my own. To constantly push myself out of my comfort zone, discipline myself, get myself to take action quickly, and to battle that voice of doubt in my head. In the past couple of years I've learned how important these things are and I've taken bold enough steps this way to make it a part of my everyday life.... but it's not easy. I could definitely use the help.

Another thing I've learned this year is how amazing things can happen when you team up with someone with a meaningful connection. In just two months with Rory, we wrote more songs together than I did in five years on my own. And now there is Scott who I get to create music and eat good food with, Jay Paul and Alysha working on a music video for me, Lisa who has checked to see that I've worked out every day this week, Matt and Hugh who I played a show with tonite, the family I live with that allows me to live this beautiful life......... and so on, it seems infinite at this point. I believe everyone in my life has their purpose in helping me live.

In 2008 when I was planning my big travel adventures and dealing with a lot of scary change, I would listen to Incubus' song Drive as soon as as I woke up in morning. Before I could even get out of bed I would reach for my ipod and let the song sink in before starting my day. I did this for months. It helped me not freak out about quitting my job, moving out of my apartment, or leaving the country. I listened to it a lot on the road when that question of "what and I doing?!?!?!" came up. The song still keeps me grounded, focused, inspired, reassured, and hopeful. Now I have a human presence to do that. It is someone's job to do that for ME. That is such an awesome concept.

On the topic of dreams and goals I hit one tonight. I played my first of three Thursday night Acoustic Sessions at the Bean Counter in Redondo with Matt and Hugh. We all did well and enjoyed it. It was a nice vibe, cool audience, and good sound. Though I appreciate with all my heart my friends and family who come out to support me at my shows, as a performing musician a big hope is that you'll attract the ear of strangers who will like your music without knowing anything else about you.

And so tonight for the first time I sold a CD to a stranger. That is another awesome concept.