Discover Your Unique Voice

Discover Your Unique Voice
As a singer and songwriter, I have tried many different styles of music in the quest to find my own “personal sound.” As with most people just starting out in their creative pursuits, I originally found myself imitating the styles of others, hoping to find my own niche. However, as helpful as it may be to learn the style of others, I’ve concluded that even the best imitation is not as good as the original.
When I was recording the song “Hide Me in the Shadow” on my Carry Me CD, I felt as if I finally had “found my voice.” Although there were many other good songs on the CD, something special happened in the recording studio when I sang that song. I “came home to myself” in that magical moment.
What style of music is this song? It’s hard to categorize! The Irish in me came out, because the song is a conglomeration of folksy, alternative, Irish/Celtic music. When we truly find our voice—something we really enjoy doing—it’s likely that others will enjoy it too. “Hide Me in the Shadow” has been one of my CD’s most popular songs on radio stations across the country. Some of the other tracks on the project are arguably better songs, but “Hide Me in the Shadow” has had an extraordinary impact because of the way it resonates with who I am.
Remember: Your voice is expressed in your design. My design happens to have a musical bent, but yours may have some other kind of creative expression. In The Source, we call this “Finding Your Voice-Discovering Your Design-Living Out Loud.”
To what degree do you feel you’ve discovered your own voice rather than just echoing the voice or opinions of others? Was there a time in your life when you felt truly alive and able to fully express who God created you to be?
Maybe you’ve found some helpful keys you can share with others who are seeking to discover their voice. If so, I would love to hear what you’ve learned!

Getting Unstuck

Getting Unstuck

Last year was filled with transitions. It was my year to get unstuck! Limbo-like situations that hovered over my life were finally addressed and overcome. I am so grateful and enjoying sweet relief. My debt is gone, my 6’4" baby started college at UNC, I redirected my nursing career back into the hospital and completed the Medical-Surgical Nurse Refresher course out of UNC Chapel Hill, I became a Life Coach with Kathryn Lee’s Company "The Source," I finally finished writing the book I have been working on for 10+ years (one of my lifelong dreams), and most significant and sadly, my mother passed away after a long and difficult battle with her health.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to 2012 with expectancy and hope. I look forward to sharing my weekly blog containing snapshots of wisdom from my life and excerpts from my soon-to-be-released book, "Loose Ends & Lightning Bolts."

In the Source Coaching Curriculum, we focus on 12 different life areas, one each month of the year. This month the topic is "Curiosity & Learning." So I am curious…where do you find yourself stuck in your life. How can you move on to the next phase of your life?

Let me know!

Big Hairy Audacious Goals

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to start a blog.  This is my first attempt…one of my secret ambitions for a long time. Perfectionism has stopped me from even beginning the process, but I have finally decided to throw caution to the wind and get started.

I love words and I love expressing myself through writing, whether it’s a song lyric, journal entry, article or book. So this modern method of communication is definitely something that resonates with who I am. I get lost in the bookstore and library. Besides my daily walking ritual, where my creative thoughts flow clearly and my energy is restored, I enjoy reading and writing more than any other activity in the world. Time flies when I participate in this sacred endeavor, and I often have difficulty pulling away and moving on to the next necessary life task.

With the initiation of this blog, I have finally recognized my passion, which has been a part of my life since I was a little girl writing in my diary. I finally have clarity about how I’m “wired,” and I’m launching a sustainable plan for executing and integrating blogging into my busy life. 

And this, my friend, feels good. I hope you are following YOUR dreams as well today.