Time to Think

I have spent the last week up in the mountains of Taos, New Mexico, learning about the history and culture while living a much more rural life than I am accustomed to.  While the air is pure and dry, living in a place without paved roads means there is dirt all around me.  My body has also felt fried from being in the dry heat of the days.  In my effort to find a balance in my altered lifestyle here, my sleep and water intake have increased significantly in order to support the exhaustion of my body.  This combination has had an impact on my mind, for I have never felt so clear headed and free in my thoughts.  My dreams have even been making sense out of issues that have been bothersome in my life for a long time.  Because there is very little to do here and very few people who I desire to get to know, I have really let go of thinking about what to do next.  Rather, my thoughts flow around and I act when one feels right.

Letting myself just be in this place is refreshing.  At the same time, however, there are moments when I have the urge to breakthrough an idea and create something to fill a piece of me that I feel is still missing.  With one more week to spend in Taos, I will make a conscious effort to pay attention to my thoughts and look for a common thread that continually weaves its way through my mind.  I want to actively pursue my passion in this lifetime, but first, I must have a clear vision and purpose for what I want to spend my time in this world doing.

                                                      {~ listen to your heart ~}                                                      

Dance Music in America : Kaskade

For the last year, I have become excitedly passionate about a hobby: Electronic Dance Music.  I especially love to watch DJs play live.  From Electric Daisy Carnival in New York City to Lights All Night for New Years in Dallas and even Ultra Music Festival in downtown Miami this past March, I feel extremely blessed to have witnessed the talent of the people who created the world of Dance Music.

Earlier this week, Kaskade put on a show that was like nothing I had ever experienced in the Dance Music culture.  The setting was a dark club with just a light-up dance floor that felt like a warehouse pulsing with bass.

In his blog, Kaskade explains the change in approach he takes for his #redux tour: playing in a very intimate venue with few lights to distract the audience from the man behind the booth.  This is much different than many of the sets he plays, which include large clubs and stadiums with big stages and advanced lighting.  It is interesting to compare his styles in each type of venue.  Below are three videos of the times I have seen Kaskade.  I first saw him at a fairly large club in Dallas, Texas during the summer of 2012; next, I saw Kaskade play Saturday night on the Main Stage during the first weekend of Ultra 2013; and most recently, I was lucky enough to attend the first stop on Kaskade's #redux tour.  I am thankful that Kaskade mixes it up and makes each experience one to remember.

"It Takes Courage and Character to Care"

I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for somewhere to go, something to feel, or some reason to cry.  From the story to the acting, this movie goes deep into the heart and pulls out the root of human suffering.  The plot is extremely emotional but changed my perspective on teachers, inner-city public schools, and people in desperate need who choose not to help themselves.  A truly great watch!

Covering the Classics

Every time I hear this collaboration, I get goosebumps covering my body, tears in my eyes, and that want-to-dance spirit running through my veins.  I have so much respect for Aretha Franklin, her melodies, and her lyrics but Christina Aguilera, who sings the opening solo in this tribute to Aretha Franklin at the 2011 Grammy Awards, really makes this one with her incredible voice and spirit.  Please enjoy the talent of these women and come back to this anytime you need a little pick-me-up.

Here is another Christina Aguilera cover.  This time she sings James Brown's classic "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" at the 2007 Grammy Awards.  I absolutely love her rendition and especially what she does right after the 2:00 mark.  Everything about this performance is killer!

Following Passion

Passion is one of those abstract concepts that we learn about as children but don't truly know until we get older.  There are so many things I am passionate about and I want to be sure never to lose any of this passion.  Yes, one day I will have to choose one to focus on and pursue in order to make a living, but it is important to keep everything I am passionate about in my life.  From eclectic coffee mugs to art and music to reading, writing, or even long walks in a beautiful place, there are so many things in this world that fill me with passion.  Blogging has become a passion because my blog is a place where I can release my feelings to the world, without anyone having to see unless they happen to find me.  I love sharing the things I have learned through my experience and I hope that one day people find me when in an abstract place of not knowing what to do.  I even go back and read my posts when I am in need of some inspiration.  Living happily seems to be everybody's goal and yet so many people find it so difficult.  I was like this for so long but have come through and found what I want in this life.  People, places, and activities that I love have come into my life either by chance or by choice, but the ones I love are still here.  I want to keep following these passions as long as I live, for they are what give meaning to my legacy and happiness to my life.