Love is not just a feeling. It is an action. An intention. It is a result that comes from attentive caring to everything that you do in life, musically, socially, personally, inwardly and externally. I stated to a Nigerian singer and friend of mine today over dinner at the bottom of the Trof pub: I’m having a spiritual ’shattering’.
There is no time for negativity. It is a lesson I am realizing now. It is easy to be angry and pessimistic in the world, at the world. I can go through waves of it. But when we are called up, by the universe or god or whatever force moves you, to ACT, it becomes quickly clear that things only get done with intent, care and love, and the faith that such actions will produce positive results.
How is it I haven’t believed enough in myself and my music until now to act (that is a bit of an exaggeration; I have been doing it in my own time, just a little bit too much time, I think; yet time nurtures in a different way)? I was too consumed with myself and my music until this tragedy happened. Okay, the drive was also my concern for the welfare of people I have written songs about. But it was not immediate. It wasn’t pressing. It wasn’t in my face.
It makes sense. We (and our audiences) only respond to that which is directly within our reach and realm of comprehension. You can’t prompt someone to care about those dying and starving and on the run and in refugee camps out of Darfur if they can’t relate to it. I can’t get anyone to give a rat’s ass about my dear and beautiful friend and songwriting partner Liz Ward unless they can relate to her music. I’m reaching with one very long arm to the world, but one person has a lot of gates to open to be heard.
It’s exhausting. There needs to be balance. Rejuvenation in moments, so that you can sustain yourself. Today, after such a gift — David Foster’s involvement now — we had a crisis. Liz went into respiratory distress. It was alleviated. her lungs drained. Now, all of a sudden, light.
Doctors say they may be able to cure our friend yet, and chemo is to start as soon as her breathing stabilizes. I feel I am dreaming. I want to cry and curl up and sleep now. I want someone and something else to hold us all for a moment. I know it (and you) will.
So, love has sustained days of effort here to get ACTION on all levels. Love has given hope and will give hope. 21 people now have stepped up to send a ’stuffie’ to Liz along with kind words. Faith now will take us to a new level.
Applied to my music, later, when I can concentrate on it, I know I will stop being afraid of sharing my songs, my messages, my truths, my stories and experiences. Life is so short and precious on the one hand, and so delightfully infinite on the other. One breath at a time, Liz will live and be present. One breath at a time, so will I. And while she will have her journey now, I will have mine, and ours will merge. As will OURS, dear reader.
So, keep the faith. Make music. Spread love.
