So I’ve been wanting to write “love letters”  for a long time now and I figure since we are on the cusp of a new year, now is a good time to start this. And since it's Winter, I can't think of a better subject to write about than the gift of slowing down. So here goes.

It’s the last Sunday of 2024. I’m sitting in my van with a candle, the scent of lavender and rose geranium, eating breakfast. It’s raining outside but it doesn’t matter because I’m listening to this beautiful music by Calm Whale on Youtube. I’m at least mostly in my own world where it is light, safe and calm. I do feel this other entity, this other side of me trying to butt in to tell me how much I have to do in the day but I’m ignoring it. This is my time. My time to let the taste of breakfast absorb into my tongue and feel the light of the candle absorb into my eyes. Feel the warmth of my little heater and the blanket covering my lap. I am happily wandering the forests of my mind this morning. Feeling the light of Winter’s sun on my face in this dream. To me, Winter sun is so much more beautiful than Summer sun. It’s more gentle like a long hug from a good friend. This is the way I love life. Slow. Intentional. Present.

It floors me that most people don’t do things like this for themselves – let themselves slow down and breathe. I know it’s because of the world we live in, poking and prodding us to keep moving if we want to “get ahead.”  But ahead of what I wonder. This world leaves little time to for us to just stop and take a breath. To slow down and live life. We’re conditioned to the fears of falling behind if we slow down. This is something I’ve experienced briefly in the music world with trying to keep up with posting on social media, booking events, keeping up with correspondence, posting on social media, scheduling lessons and coaching sessions, crafting a “brand,” negotiating compensation for projects, taking photos and video clips, posting on social media, editing those photos and videos clips. Did I mention posting on social media? 

When you’re an independent artist, a lot of your time can be sucked up by other things leaving little time to actually make the art. I don’t work that way. For me, making music and art is most important because it’s what feeds me. So, about a month ago, I made the decision to post to social media when I have something worth posting. I post less often but the response is more authentic and appreciative. This authenticity is something that has been so lovely and something that feeds me just like creating things. So I’m continuing this practice. It doesn’t make sense to post just anything for the sake of posting. To me, that’s like a ‘garbage in garbage out’ approach to things and I think we can all agree, there’s certainly enough garbage on social media these days. 

So, here’s where I am writing a love letter to you. You, my dear, are an expression of the light you came here to be. But this world has gotten a hold of you and tried to squeeze the light out of you until you go dark. Don’t let it. One way you can do this is simply by slowing down and letting yourself breathe. Let yourself feel your heartbeat, your breath, your blood running through your veins. Listen to music that gets you to slow down and rest. Winter is the perfect time to do this. Let this time refill you with your own essence and being. Winter is where nature takes a long breath and sleeps till Spring and even though we, as humans don’t have that luxury of hibernation, we can still give ourselves moments of quiet and stillness to feel our center again. Let yourself do things that feed you. If that means doing nothing and just observing, then that’s what it means. This is not being lazy or slovenly. It’s giving you the gift of yourself. 

That is all I need to say. Take good care of yourself and have a safe and happy new year. 

Much Love, 

Pam

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Thank you so much for your consideration and stay amazing! Pam