In Case No One Has Ever Told You Before:

In Case No One Has Ever Told You Before:

    Photo by: Sheridan Dyches

In case no one has ever told you before, you are worth it. 

Sometimes life can be a little tricky. And during those tricky times we tend to find ourselves doubting everything we are doing and everything we have worked for, questioning if it is all worth it. And sometimes we get to the point where we even find ourselves questioning if we are even worth it.

Well you are. You are worth it. Everything and anything you do is worth it. I believe that there is a reason behind everything, and there is a reason why you are here.

Worth is a funny thing. Why do we think so poorly of ourselves sometimes? We are great. We are awesome. We should be proud.

We have the tendency to undermine our worth by comparing ourselves to each other. Well we shouldn't. Our differences are what makes us each so special and unique. We tend to set our goals by what other people think is important. Well we shouldn't. Only we know what is best for us. We tend to create this unrealistic vision of how life is supposed to play out. Well we shouldn’t. Live in the moment and let the future come.

Worth is not justified by an external factor. Why is it that we depend on someone else to make us happy? Why do we go seeking for another person to make us feel good about ourselves? What if that person leaves? Then what are you going to do?

Worth and happiness comes from within. You are in control. And the sooner you realize that, the sooner you will find yourself waking up everyday with a lighter mind and a sense of clarity.

What I learned was that NO ONE can pull you out from under the dark. You have to do the dirty work yourself. You have to pull yourself out and see yourself for the amazing human being that you are. It's all in your mind. Remove the negativity. Stop pushing away the good. And keep moving forward.

You will be amazed at all that you can do once you begin to believe in yourself. There is no risk in giving yourself a chance.

Remember: “It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.”

You are deserving of your dreams. Your voice deserves to be heard. You don't need to impress anyone but yourself. Embrace your talents. Believe in your path. Take your time. Surround yourself with positivity and inspiring influences. Find what you love and run with it. Find what makes you feel good. Laugh. Surround yourself with the company that you need. And don't let anyone ever tell you, that you aren't good enough.

I know it is easier said than done, but I was once stuck in this dark, gray cloud where I didn't see a purpose for living. I didn't see a purpose to anything I was doing. I too, questioned my worth. I shut down. I hid from life. And I didn't want to be apart of it.

And now I cannot believe how much I've missed out on living and loving life. I can't go back and redeem the days I have wasted and neither can you, but we can sure as well make sure that every waking day from now on that we know that we are worth it. 

An Open Letter To Kid Cudi

An Open Letter To Kid Cudi

This last Friday Kid Cudi released a track entitled “Surfin” off his upcoming album “Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin”.  Featuring Pharrell Williams, the joint was a banger- the type that instantly puts a smile on your face.  Sounding like the Cudi of old with a slight twist, the peek into the upcoming album reminded fans why he is a legend in every sense.  However, even legends have their struggles as was unfortunately witnessed in a letter to fans that Scott posted on his Facebook last night. 

The first time I listened to “Man on the Moon”, I refused to like it because I was one of those kids into garage music that would not admit that rap was “real music”.  That changed.  I couldn’t stay away for long as the melodies hooked me and the beats soothed.  I soon found myself finding peace through my teenage years with my earphones in listening to the reflective lyrics of “Man On The Moon 2” and blaring “Indicud” on my way to my senior prom.  After my first heartbreak, listening to “The Frequency” for hours on repeat while driving seemed to be the only thing that calmed me.  This last February I was lucky enough to witness Cudi live at The Observatory in Santa Ana and realized while watching the performance just how much his music has helped me out over the years.  I know millions of others can say the same, finding comfort in the midst of turmoil through his art.  If Scott Mescudi was to ever see what I have to write here’s what I would say:

You mention feeling ashamed to have been “living a lie”.  There’s no shame in admitting difficulty and imperfection.  There’s no way you’d ever be able to impact so many kids the way you have if you ignored your own struggles and painted a picturesque portrait of life through your music.  There’s enough of that.  We love you because we can sense and listen to your struggle and see absolute determination through the midst of it.  It’s inspiring and that’s why we eat it up and look up to you.  It might be scary to hear that people look up to you because I’m sure you’re acutely aware of your flaws as only you can, and would never want the responsibility to act as an inspiration as someone who has figured things out.  Just know we do look up to you, and it’s because you’re honest and transparent.  Your music is a comfort and a peace and we thank you for giving it to us as well as for your positive energy. 

You’ve done enough for us.  Give back to yourself.  Take time away with your family and get closer to that peace you’ve been searching for.  If you never release another track but find a break from the “ragin violent storm inside your heart”, just know that’s all we want.  Free your mind from any pressure you may feel to give to others and feed that love to yourself.  You deserve it.  We wish you the best and are sending up prayers.

International Music Day: A Brief History Lesson

International Music Day: A Brief History Lesson

Photographer unknown

In honor of International Music Day, I’d like to walk you through a brief history of the progression of music in North America. It’s evident that music is everywhere, and it plays a huge role in all of our lives, whether we notice it or not. Without music, we would not have an adventure soundtrack on our road trips; jogging would feel more like a chore than a time to meditate; and honestly, how motivated would we be if we didn’t have Eminem’s Lose Yourself? It all adds up into the perfect equation.

From the 1920s to the 1930s, the world was exposed to a completely different musical lifestyle than we are now. The Roaring 20s are well known as the Jazz Age. Jazz originated in New Orleans with African and European influences. This dance-style music perhaps triggered swing music, which made an appearance in the 1930s and early 1940s. Musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bing Cosby, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald lit up the early 20^th century with their fire vocals and instrument playing.

As the century sunk deeper into the 1940s, Frank Sinatra came along to enlighten the music world. He was, at one point, one of the top selling male vocalists during this time. As the 1940s saw a decline in swing music, country, pop, blues, and jazz arrived. This decade was perhaps the last one before rock ‘n’ roll lit a spark and fired up North America.

Elvis Presley, “the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, captured the hearts of Americans. With popular songs Hound Dog, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Blue Suede Shoes, there’s no wonder why he is still considered “the king”. During the rest of the 1950s, the electric guitar picked up some attention.

As the 1960s and 70s rolled around, rock ‘n’ roll became the root of all music. With different branches of rock like, “psychedelic”, folk, and surf, artists like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Janis Joplin soon found space under the spotlight. On the other side of the ocean, the Beatles were born. Their legacy is untouched and they are still best known for changing the sound of music forever.

Shortly after, many of the rock bands we recognize today made their arrival. Throughout the 70s, 80s and early 90s, rock ‘n’ roll still thrived as a heavy influence in the music world. Although women made appearances throughout musical history, the 80s were possibly responsible for the start of women in music. Female musicians like Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Heart, paved the way for future female artists.

The late 1990s and early 2000s hold a special place in my heart mostly because I grew up listening to music from that decade. A key difference between the 20^th century and now is that most musicians reach the peak of their career at a younger age compared to back then. For instance, Britney Spears became most relevant after her debut album release in 1999. She ultimately ruled the pop scene for the majority of the 2000s. Now, she’s attempting a comeback. But if you take a glance at music in the 1900s, you won’t find as many teen pop sensations as you do now.

The 21^st century has been a time for experimenting. A lot of songs these days focus on the beat rather than lyrics. My mom argues that today’s music is lazy and it doesn’t require talent, but I couldn’t disagree more. During a time when so much has already been done in the music industry, it takes hard work to create something original. Whether music is innovative or not, I think we need music as a part of our daily lives.