Helen Keller on Optimism

The path of our lives is not so much determined by what ‘happens’ to us, because life does ‘happen’ – but how we react to the things that ‘happen’ to us in life.  Are you choosing to be a Victim or a Victor?  A successful business person, or someone who complains about a lack of business?  Are you someone who gives value, or simply tries to ‘get’ business?

Helen Keller - Beautiful inside and out!

This article from Helen Keller is a favorite of mine because it speaks about a positive attitude; gratitude, and the perception of good in everything around her.  What a remarkable woman!  At Viva La Voice, we are committed to bringing out the positive in singers, speakers and everyday people who seek a more confident, fulfilled life.

Helen Keller - Optimism

“My optimism rests on a glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort always to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail. I try to increase the power God has given me to see the best in everything and every one, and make that best a part of my life. The world is sown with good; but unless I turn my glad thoughts into practical living and till my own field, I cannot reap a kernel of the good.

Thus my optimism is grounded in two worlds, myself and what is about me. I demand that the world be good, and lo, it obeys. I proclaim the world good, and facts rearrange themselves to prove my proclamation overwhelmingly true. To what is good I open the doors of my being, and jealously shut them against what is bad. Such is the force of this beautiful and willful conviction, it carries itself in the face of all opposition. I am never discouraged by absence of good. I never can be argued into hopelessness. Doubt and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.

I trust, and nothing that happens disturbs my trust. I recognize the beneficence of the power which we all worship as supreme—Order, Fate, the Great Spirit, Nature, God. I recognize this power in the sun that makes all things grow and keeps life afoot, I make a friend of this indefinable force, and straightway I feel glad, brave and ready for any lot Heaven may decree for me. This is my religion of optimism.” From “Optimism” by Helen Keller, introduction by Carl Japikse.

Stand Up To Fear!

My February Viva La Voicegram is available!

From my February's Voicegram: "It takes some work to stand up to fear and put it behind you.  But isn't an open, joyful, fearless life worth a little effort?  Believe me, it takes more effort to keep the desires of your heart subdued than it does pushing the fear out of the way so that your happiness breaks through."

What Makes a Great Performance?

What makes a great performance? Making your audience FEEL. Technical perfection isn't nearly as important as emotional authenticity.

A Celtic Blessing!

From Beth Lawrence

A Celtic Blessing

May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work that you do
with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light
and renewal to those who work with you
and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of
refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert,
approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.

 Viva La Voice Wishes you Happy Holidays

Ready, Fire, Aim, IMPLEMENT!

It's easy to fall into the trap of 'perfectionism'.  After all, one of our greatest fears is feeling that we have FAILED.  But perceived failure is nothing more than a necessary step to finding out what works, and what doesn't.  So think of 'failure' not as an entity, but a 'process' that will lead you to your fully realized goal!

I just received a good article from the marketing guru-gals at Buzz Boosters about 'Implementation'.  They talk about just that.....putting your idea or plan into motion.  You don't have to wait until every detail is perfect because with our fear of failure in place, that may take forever!  Throw it out there; tweak it, test it, if it works, voila!  If it doesn't get the desired results then re-work it and IMPLEMENT the idea again.  Remember, it's a PROCESS, not a fearful roadblock that will keep you benched on the sidelines!

I think it was T. Harv Eker who said:  'Ready, Fire, Aim!".  In other words, formulate your brilliant idea; IMPLEMENT IT; test and perfect.  Don't be afraid to put your idea out there for feedback.  It's a learning process, not to be feared, but to be welcomed.  If you never implement, you'll never move forward; you'll never succeed.  Throw those spit wads onto the wall and see which ones stick!  (Okay, that's gross, but you get the picture!)  Go for it!  READY, FIRE, AIM, IMPLEMENT!!!!

Read more about being 'proactive' in my latest Voicegram and find more useful music business articles.

Veteran Songwriter Scores Barbra Streisand!

Here's a flash - DON'T EVER GIVE UP YOUR DREAMS!

My dear friend, Phyllis Molinary just got a cut on Barbra Streisand's new CD, with her classic song "Here's To Life". It was written with Artie Butler, who wrote lovely music, but it's really Phyllis' enduring lyric that makes the song.

Phyllis is a veteran songwriter who used to teach songwriting in L.A., and really knows her craft. Through the years she's written some great songs, gotten some cuts, and missed some big ones (welcome to the music business!). How thrilled I am that after all these years, she's scored A BIG ONE. You can't get much bigger than Streisand.

So, don't give up! Keep living your passion even when it's difficult, frustrating and sometimes unrewarding. I believe that the reward is knowing that you hung in there, did your best, and were true to your artistic vision. Okay, so that's idealistic, but as artists, what else do we have but Idealism and Optimism? Aren't those the hallmark of a creative visionary? As Phyllis' lyric aptly puts it

'No complaints and no regrets, I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets, but I have learned that all you give is what you get'.

If my friend, Ms. Molinary ever dreamed of icing on her lyricist cake, this is it. For all you artists out there waiting for your own double fudge frosting, I say ''Go for it! Live your dream! Here's to Life!'

A Simple Task

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people." - Mother Theresa