So. I have recently made some pretty big changes in my life so that I can show up more fully to what it is I feel called to do and be in this world. Scary and  exhilarating, for sure! In making this leap, I have to admit, there's this voice that's been screaming: "OK, Lauri... it's time to make it all happen...  GO! DO IT! NOW!" The up side of this is a drive and desire to live fully and not waste another minute. The down side is a sense of urgency that can trip up the divine flow and actually stunt the authentic progress of the vision. Yes, it's helpful to make "to do" lists... to have goals... to be productive... but I am learning that it is the energy behind  the tasks at hand that matters most... not just getting things done. The message I keep getting is to... relax. Ugh. I hate hearing that sometimes. Well... my ego monkey mind hates hearing that... lol.. But relaxing doesn't mean not doing anything. To me, it means staying focused on the intention of love in all that I do. To breathe. To allow. To truly be with myself, with the spirit of me, in order to do in a way that is in alignment with divinity. So, yeah... it's a Frank Sinatra thing (do be do be do...) ;-) Now, I'm not saying I'm always successful at this (!), but I am really becoming aware... which gives me an opportunity to practice. What I know is that when I operate with a sense of "just checking things off the list to get them done", I miss the whole point. I may get things done, but am I experiencing/feeling LOVE in the process? Am I giving and sharing love energy as I walk my life? These are the things that matter. Remembering to stay present and in the moment... focused on what matters... is huge. And it's where true inspiration to do (authentically) comes from.  :-)

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1267091571/lauri-jones-love-will-provide-album-project/posts/1351304

I have a new friend... the dragonfly. Do you believe in spirit animals? It's something that has begun to resonate with me over the past year or so. I've had quite of year of change and evolution, for sure... and it seems there have been little critters there to give me a little playful nudge every step of the way. Last fall it was the squirrel. When I was literally moving into the studio space where we had begun recording the new album, squirrels were always in our path. I actually had a squirrel peeking in at me from the basement bathroom window with a nut in its mouth. :-) Squirrels are all about preparation for what lies ahead...  and letting go of physical and emotional baggage to make room for the new "stores" (all the while being playful!). And this summer has been all about the dragonfly! The first encounter was outside at my parents' house. Eric and I were visiting and this dragonfly hung out with us the whole time we were there (a few hours). We would get real close to it (close enough to take pictures) and it would just sit there, happy to be near us. Oh, it would fly and dance about playfully at times, but return quickly to perch nearby. I was fascinated... and really felt like it was there for US. Well, this feeling was affirmed when, as I was performing "Feelin' Good" a week later at an outdoor lawn concert, I was singing the line "...dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't ya know..." and... guess who flew right out in front of me (showing off, of course)? Yup, my new friend. ;-) 

As if this wasn't enough, a week after the concert, I happened upon a book in the tiny gift shop aboard the American Empress (where I was performing) called "Dance of the Dragonfly". Great photos and musings on this fascinating creature: "Many believe that the transition from a nymph to a dragonfly signifies the stripping away of our beliefs of limitation, our doubts and our self-doubt. It reminds one that everything is possible and that we can achieve our dreams and goals as we learn about ourselves and gain self-belief. Is it possible that the universe has brought this creature to us to help us with the stripping away of our self-doubt and allow us to see our true potential and ability?"  I say YES! That is most definitely what I am feeling these days. As the song goes, "...freedom, freedom is mine... and I know how I feel... it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me... and I'm FEELIN' GOOD...." How 'bout YOU? 

After spending two weeks performing aboard the American Empress, I came back to learn that my song "It's Enough" was featured on George Noory's syndicated radio show "Coast to Coast AM" on Sunday, September 6th, as part of the Emerging Artists series. Somehow I missed the memo! ;-) Pretty cool that it was heard by 500 stations nationwide!

I also learned that my song "Feelin' Good" will be included in the playlist for the popular Women of Substance Radio series "We've Got it Covered" in November. Will keep you posted on that. 

Happy and grateful for the affirmation from the Universe! Just a-walk, walk, walkin' my life........ :-)