CROSSROADS: My Search for Truth Through Music and a Lot of Red Wine

At a time when our lives have been completely disrupted and thrown into turmoil it can be difficult to remember what we know for sure. We are not only worried about the health and safety of ourselves and loved ones, but we are also in a time of transition. What will our lives look like going forward? Despite the uncertainty of the circumstances that we have found ourselves in, I believe that the silver lining is that we have been given the gift of time. We have a chance to take a breather from our busy lives and remember what is truly important, what we know for sure. So... what is it that you know for sure?

Eight years ago I found myself standing at a crossroads. I knew that I needed to make some changes in my life. I was not happy in my marriage, I was unfulfilled in my career, and I was trying to recover from injury and struggling with my health and fitness. I was very unhappy and beating myself up for not being happy with the life that I had been given. I finally began writing to maintain my own sanity. My journal was my therapist as I attempted to navigate through a difficult time in my life. I wrote every day… then after about three years I began to see an outline emerge. I never set out to write a book, but CROSSROADS: My Search for Truth Through Music and a Lot of Red Wine was the result of the struggles that I went through. In today's episode I give an overview and share some of my favorite excerpts and songs from the book.

“Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about.”~ Winston Churchill Do any of the following statements sound familiar to you? “I’m not sure this is worth it.”“I just don’t have the time to devote to this anymore.”“This is too hard, and I’d rather spend my time enjoying life.”“Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”“Who was I kidding? I can’t do this.”If any of these thoughts are running around in circles in your mind then don’t go anywhere - even the most determined people struggle with motivation from time to time, and it is when these type of thoughts creep in that you’ll be most tempted to give up. In the 9th episode of the Crossroads Podcast where I will be sharing some simple ways in which you can improve your motivation and keep moving forward rather than throwing in the towel.

We are all pulled in a million different directions every day, and in the chaos it can be difficult to take the time to slow down and appreciate the ones you love. Let’s face it, some days it is just easier to say, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” As I have grown older and lost people that I love, I have unfortunately come to understand with increasing awareness that tomorrow is not guaranteed. It is such a simple concept, yet at times incredibly difficult to keep in our awareness. Today I’m here to remind you not to let yourself wake up one day only to realize that these moments have passed you by. “Stop acting as if life is a rehearsal. Live this day as if it were your last. The past is over and gone. The future is not guaranteed.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Are you ready to make some changes in 2020? Consider these tips involving motivation, goal-setting, and accountability when implementing your new fitness routine. There are moments in our lives when we find ourselves standing at a crossroads. We know it is time for change, to choose a different path. When I made the decision to open Total Transformation there was a reason that I chose the tagline, “Transform your body, mind, & spirit.” I believe that it is impossible to achieve health and happiness without discovering a balance between all three of these areas in our lives.With the New Year almost upon us I am willing to bet I am not the only one thinking about the changes I am going to make on January 1st. As 2020 quickly approaches there is no better time to focus on our physical health."Your body is your most priceless possession. Take care of it.”~ Jack Lalane

In the sixth episode I discuss identifying your essential purpose and the importance of living in line with your beliefs - and the inner conflict, or divide, that results when you betray your beliefs. I share an excerpt from the second installment of my book, "Crossroads: My Search for Truth Through Music and a Lot of Red Wine." "The Game" is a song that I wrote at a time when I was struggling with my own beliefs. In this podcast I share the song, the story behind the song, and the judging report that I received when I submitted the song to the Nashville Songwriters Association International. In the sixth podcast I also share the resources that I used as I attempted to resolve the inner conflict that had created a divided-ness within me. "Relationships do not cause pain and unhappiness. They bring out the pain and unhappiness that is already in you."~ Eckhart Tolle

It is in the face of adversity that we have the most opportunity for growth - if we choose to open our eyes. No matter what crossroads we find ourselves standing at, there is always a choice. We ALWAYS have a choice. “Be humble to see your mistakes, courageous to admit them, and wise enough to correct them.” ~ Amine Ayad

In the fourth episode I share the last piece in the Introduction of Crossroads. I add becoming a wife to my identity as a writer, musician, and mother, completing the background that helps you understand what got me to the time when I wrote Crossroads. It is the part of my story that brings back feelings of hope and reminds to believe that real love does exist... because once upon a time, standing beneath an arch covered with pink and red Gerber Daisies, I experienced it.

There are monumental moments in our lives that alter our sense of identity, and parenthood is certainly one of those moments. In the early stages of parenthood our dreams often temporarily fade into the background as our child's needs become the center of our world. As my son got older I often asked myself, "How much should I sacrifice for my son? Is it selfish to pursue my own dreams? Or do I have a responsibility to serve as an example for my son?" It was difficult to find a balance between his happiness and my own. There are so many things that I have questioned in my life, but being a mother has never been one of them. "And she loved a little boy very, very much... even more than she loved herself." ~ Shel Silverstein

In this episode I discuss something we can all relate to, something many of us have struggled with over the years - our sense of identity. I will share two of the four parts of myself that I identify with the most - being a writer and a musician. I was drawn to both of these sides of myself at a very young age, but it would take many years before I was able to feel comfortable enough to say them out loud. In Episode #2 I share how I found the courage to begin to pursue my passions and how I learned to begin to embrace the parts of myself that I had tried to deny for a very long time. Please join me as I share two excerpts from Crossroads: "Written in the Stars" and "Open Your Eyes."

In the first episode I share my "Invitation to the Listener" with you where I discuss the inspiration behind Crossroads as well as a skeleton overview of what to expect in the Crossroads Podcast. My hope is to help you discover Truth within yourself.