Baldly Forward

Today I am writing from an energized and inspired state. The reason for these great vibes? A song!

Back in February of 2020, two of my dear friends had a joint birthday party in Nashville. They share the same birthday and many of the same characteristics. They are both the life of the party, kind, joyful, and funny as hell. I was invited to their party but couldn’t attend — so I decided to write a song for them, record it on my phone, and send it on their special day.

The song simply flowed out of me, and I remember feeling especially connected to it. It’s called “Beautiful Lights,” and it’s a celebration of these two people who bring a lot of light to everyone around them. It expresses how lucky we all are that they exist. It was a divine experience for me. But it was what happened in the months and years after writing the song that confirms to me that it was indeed a divine collaboration.

March 2020

The next month we were all starting to experience the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the friends who inspired the song was visiting her parents in Illinois. During that visit, her mother unexpectedly passed at the age of 53. The song immediately took on new meaning for me — as the woman who brought my friend to us all had left this human existence. I didn’t know her personally, but I’m grateful for the goodness she gave to the world: my friend Alli.

I can’t begin to understand what Alli experienced losing her mother and then having to navigate her memorial and grieving during a time that was fraught with uncertainty. But what is so clear is that Alli never lost her light. If anything, Alli shines brighter than ever before, and I believe her mom lives within that light.

Fast Forward to September

During the pandemic, I reconnected with a high school teacher who was an inspiration to me all those years ago. Her name is Pat. We exchanged a few emails and had a phone call. During our exchanges, Pat mentioned that her mother (who was in a nursing home) was about to celebrate her 100^th birthday!!

Sadly, she wasn’t going to have the party she had dreamed of, so Pat decided to plan a foot parade outside of the nursing home. She also started collecting cards and special video messages to share with her mom.

That’s when “Beautiful Lights” came up again. It was perfect for this occasion! Just like months before, I was back on my phone… recording a birthday song for a special soul. This time it was a video message.

It meant so much to me to be a part of that moment… to celebrate the life of someone I had never met who had given me a tremendous gift. What an encouragement Pat has been to me and countless other students through the years!

I was fortunate that I got to thank her mom with a song. Two months later, Pat’s mom passed away — knowing she was loved and that the reach of her essence was expansive and without end!

The Journey Continues

The years pass and the song exists in the energy of all who’ve shared it. If that’s where it stopped, that would be fine with me. But that’s not at all how this is playing out.

My friend Alli had a baby last year! While looking at the precious photos of him on Instagram, I felt the song again. Then I decided to use that song to practice recording in my new home studio. I laid the guitar track down and when I went back to do my vocal, I realized I’d left a section for another verse. I instantly knew that the space was for Alli’s baby and the healing power generated by this experience for her.

I wrote it in minutes. Now the song is complete, and I’m recording it in its entirety in a couple of weeks.

Here’s that magical last verse:

Oh healing love, flow like a river

Across the bed of my heart.

Flow like a flood that will deliver

New days for us to start.

The Divine Creative

The story of this song brings to mind the importance of making ourselves available to the divine creative spirit. Whether it’s in the form of a song, a short and sweet message on a Post-it note, a poem, a painting, or a smile — listen to what’s inside of you and don’t overthink it. Share it. It will be a gift that never stops giving.