One GOoD Thing

Makua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Most evenings I treat myself to singing and drumming somewhere out in nature for "drumsong sunset". On this occasion, I was at Makua beach at the north west tip of Oahu, van camping at the edge of the sand. Most everyone else had headed home... taking with them their big stereos, ATV's, tents, rambunctious children, dogs, and so on. In the wake was a gorgeous, sweet stillness, punctuated by the stunning view of the ocean, the island and the sky.

Each day I take a moment to write out 10 things I am grateful for. My friend Joy has a version of this she calls "One Good Thing". We had just finished singing Kirtan and meditating, and this chant popped out. Our practice began as we improvised little verses to share the things we were grateful for on this day.

The first one I sang was my thanks for the healing that singing "Little Things" the prior evening brought to a man who had been physically attacked the same day. He told us later that he found himself walking the beach that night humming the song and listing all the things he is grateful for... and how focusing his attention there instead of on the pain was transformative.

Lyrics:

lift up your voice
let's all sing
the praises of
the one good thing

(2nd verse added later:)

make a moment, every single day
give thanks for the good things
coming your way

1...2...
D.Ck.kC.

The Abyss

Honolulu, Hawaii

I'm 24 hours away from having no more work booked... the earliest on the horizon is (gasp!) January 2010 - and that's assuming the Artist in the Schools Program survives, and I win a grant (hopefully more than one...) That said, I do have money in the bank, and most people would love to be in my position - extended time off! For me the fears of the Abyss are about not having an intense and fulfilling focus, being lonely, getting bored or depressed. This chant was inspired by a friend who took me out to dinner last night for a "Night Before the Abyss" celebration. Some of the things I plan to fill the Abyss with include working on a CD will full arrangements of my songs, playing percussion in a new band that's just forming, studying music theory, becoming more proficient with performing live using the RC-50 looper, and growing body percussion skills.

LYRICS:

I'm standing on the edge of the abyss
remembering that it could be filled
with unexpected bliss
I am gonna jump right in
sustained by spirit and good friends

1..2..3..4..
D.C.DD.C.C.D

Morse

Honolulu, Hawaii

Another in the "things we never sing about in the fire circle" series. Dedicated to a friend who is a remarkable communicator... and a bringer of joy, ping pong, wrestling, blink, tasty foods and many surprises.

Learn to spell a word in Morse Code, and bring it to the Fire!

LYRICS:
. _ . .
_ _ _
. . . _
.

di-dah-di-di
dah-dah-dah
di-di-di-dah
di

dots and dashes, sparks & flashes
trading energy and sound
communication is a code,
patterns of understanding

i'm talkin', talkin', talkin' with you
i'm singin', singin', singin' with you
i'm dancin', dancin', dancin' with you
i'm groovin', groovin' groovin' with you

L is di-dah-di-di
O is dah-dah-dah
V is di-di-di-dah
E is di !





click on image to enlarge






1...2...3...4...
D.C.DD.TkDD.C.C.