Don't lose sight of your dreams!

I am feeling some kind of way today. I am not sure what to call it. I woke up refreshed after a long day working on Minister Steve's demo. I had a short work week but it was longer than others I've had recently. I think what I am feeling is being ready for something different. I love being a social worker but I think my mind and heart are pulling me in a different direction.

This music thing has been a part of me for many years. I remember wanting to do something with it along with my sisters when I was a teen. They didn't want to sing professionally and I didn't think I couldn't do it without them. So, I turned up the volume on my radio listening to other artists as their dreams of flowing over the airwaves came true. Secretly, my dreams were still there I just no longer shared them with others. I wrote poems, short stories and lyrics on scraps of papers, napkins and notebooks. I filed them away for safe keeping never to look at them again.

As an adult, I continued to write, write, write and only shared some of my work through poems that I gave to others. At this time in my life, my dreams are overpowering my thoughts forcing me to pay attention to them. Life experiences, both personally and vicariously, have brought them out of their hiding place. To see friends and family go through health related issues or other challenges in their lives has reinforced for me just how fragile life is. While writing quietly and trying to be a successful social worker, I may have not noticed some doors that were opened wide for me. As I am focusing on my dreams and changing my present situation, I've learned to enter those doors that my heart leads me to. I no longer have doubts about my future success as a songwriter, producer and manager. If I don't step out on faith I will accept a life (or career) that is no longer my desire.

I am satisfied completely with my personal life. God has blessed me beyond measure to be with someone who loves, trusts, supports and encourages me. Now I need to be as equally as satisfied professionally. I know that when you talk about it you are speaking it into existence. So, "I will be successful in this journey to complete, publish and share my literary works and song lyrics. I see it already but I just need and want to feel it!" I said it, God said it and it shall be done...

Success is there for the taking but you can't lose sight of your dreams. Tell God what you want and He shall provide. All doors God opens may not be for you but you have to run through the ones that are with your dreams in hand!

God's favor...

I have met a few people that I never would've met without Facebook and Twitter. I have rekindled old friendships and acquired new friends. This week was a little different. To me, it is further confirmation that I am where I am supposed to be. A few folks got started in the music industry before me but it doesn't mean there isn't any room for me. My dreams can be attained. Watching those around me, new and old friends, succeed inspires me providing comfort to my soul.

I had a chance meeting with a few folks the other day when I came across Verity Gospel doing an interview with DeWayne Woods. He is one of my favorite gospel artists. I was able to participate in a chat discussion with him, of course, along with others. He was very real and he answered my questions. During that chat session, I met a few people on there and was invited by Montria A. to become a part of their network. They chat regularly on getbonnerfide.com which is an award winning internet gospel radio station started by Gerard Bonner. They are like a family and I was invited to be a part of it. Speechless.

Then I met a young woman on Facebook who is a host of another gospel radio show. She hosts Sunday Morning Glory with Franyora Clophus (www.107jamz.com)and she requested my friendship on FB. I am sure this was no accident or chance meeting. She offered an opportunity for me to be a part of one of her shows helping other people. My knee jerk response was, "Let me think about it because I'm shy!" Contrary to what folks may think, I am shy. I looked at her question, took a deep breath, and replied answering "Yes," eventually. I didn't want to miss an opportunity to help someone else.

Let me tell you what I know about God. He is never late. At times we may think things are going slower than we like or that the opportunities are all gone. Admittedly, I have been guilty of this in the past but my faith has grown. It has well surpassed my doubts and fears. What I have to remind myself daily is that things that I desire will come BUT not always at the pace I would like for them to. God orders my steps, guides and provides. I will reach my goals but He will bring things full circle for that to occur.

God is placing a lot of honest, trustworthy and supportive people in my life. He is preparing me for what is to come. If I stand on my toes I can see my breakthrough just beyond the horizon. God is showing me that there is life after social work. Although I worked hard to acquire my degrees and license, I have always wanted to be in the music industry. Not as a performer. Remember? I'm shy! I want to be behind the curtain writing, managing or whatever. God has strategically placed me where I have always longed to be. And step by step, I will get my songs heard and performed, Minister Steve will be known internationally, and my books will all be published. Those are my dreams and goals and I am speaking them into existence.

How do I know? Because I asked God, believe it and it shall be...

Working toward my breakthrough...

I am writing songs and trying to finish my adolescent fiction novel. I think I will be finished with it soon. Its a pretty interesting story which I will share once it is complete and I officially register the copyright. I am working on getting my adult fiction novel published. I wrote this book when life threw me a curve ball. It was a great motivator for me and guided me to where I am now. Hopefully I will have "Vengeance is Mine Says the Lord... except in the 'hood," published during 2010. If not, it will be released in 2011. I am really excited about it and have received some good feedback on it by those who have read the manuscript.

I have also been doing book reviews which I've shared on my blog. I hope that everyone has enjoyed reading them. I read fiction books and nonfiction books but prefer fiction. I am open to most genre. I love to read and am trying not to limit myself to one particular genre. If you are interested in buying the books or anything else on Amazon.com, you can get to their website via my blog.

Minister Steve is in the studio working on his CD. He is also ministering this Friday at the 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark, New Jersey. The event is from July 30th-August 1st. He will be ministering on July 30th and is making changes to his website (www.ministersteve.com). He is working diligently to get his CD finished so we can take his career to the next level. I am so excited about all the progress he has made and look forward to the direction he is getting ready to go in.

I have been writing songs almost daily. It never stops, LOL!! My mind stays busy thinking of what song to write next. There are times when I am reading and something pops up or when I am walking and the trees sway a certain way an idea comes to mind. I am beyond thankful for being able to write songs. I am working with my friend, Martin Dominguez Ball, on my songs. He is an amazingly talented musician. He has a band Larrama and has played in various venues.

God has placed me in the right place with the right people. I am being inspired by new friends and old friends. When I even think that things might not go as I have planned God shows me different. Working with Martin has allowed me to fully embrace the possibiity of songwriting success. We've completed three songs. Two are country and one could be pop, rock or country. You can listen to them by going to directly to my page on www.soundclick.com and search Stacey P.

I am working toward my breakthrough. I am a social worker by profession but my goal is to transition into the music industry. I already shared that vision with God so I know it will come to fruition!