Charles Bradley at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival |
This blog has been about self improvement , or self- actualization, which is
being the best you can be, by trying new things after life changes. My changes occurred over two years ago when my only son started collage leaving me
with an “empty nest” and simultaneously I
had a cracked personal relationship. I had the double whammy and potential for
despair. Dale Carnegie once said, “Inaction breeds doubt and
fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not
sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” I
challenged myself to trying something new everyday in the summer of 2014
and to blog about it. It’s been 2.5 years of fun, discovery and reflections. This
blog has been a push for me to get busy
and hopefully to others who read it.
I took a 2 month hiatus
on blogging. However, when I recently discovered soul/ funk artist, Charles Bradley, at the
Pittsburgh Arts Festival he inspired me
to get busy blogging again. His music and story
is what this blog is all about-never
giving up and making changes into something positive.
Reflection
Charles Bradley started his singing career at 62 and now at 67 he has
3 albums! He drew in both the hipster and the
older crowd. He sang with passion (Crying In The Chapel) and with sass (Ain't It A Sin) . Although I knew nothing about him, when he sang I could feel that he lived every word in his songs. He exuded confidence, screamed like James
Brown, and moved like Jagger.
The song, and title of his latest album, Changes inspired by the loss of his mother, sums it up:
I lost the best friend that I ever had…but it’s too late
now…I am going through changes. I am going through changes in my life…
We all are, or will, go through changes but like this guy,
we can survive them, transform after them, and it’s never to late too “get busy”. My empty nest
survival tool box will include
adding some Charles Bradley to my play
list.
(Footnote dated 10/14/16 : Charles Bradley canceled his tour due to stomach cancer. Prayers and best wishes shouting out to Him!)
Spiritual Reflection(Footnote dated 10/14/16 : Charles Bradley canceled his tour due to stomach cancer. Prayers and best wishes shouting out to Him!)
But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortal do to me? (Psalms 56:3,4)
Other Sources /Music
You told me you were all mine... You Stole my love..Never
thought you would ever leave me...I made my mind, I was going you love you baby till the
end of time... All along you told me you were mine, all mine…No more, no more, it’s my
turn, no more, it's my turnI Lost the best friend that I ever had…but its too late now…I am going through changes. I am going through changes in my life….We shared the years..we shared each day..together we found a way. Love went astray…
Ain’t it A Sin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD1eaRDY-q4
If you ain’t going to do me right..I might just do you in…ain't it a sin