If you use the excuse of being “too old” to follow your passion, you need to watch this video to the very end. If you do, you’ll see a senior citizen bust some serious moves on the dance floor. Her skill and physical ability surpasses that of most people a fraction of her age. Inspiring.
Lyrics for Answer to Yourself by Soft Pack
You gotta answer to yourself
You can’t depend on anyone else
You gotta know where you stand
And what’s in your hands
Yeah you gotta answer to yourself
You gotta write down what you know
You gotta make sure that it’s known
Because they’re coming along to see what you’ve done
And they’re gonna claim it for their own
You got a rabbit in your hat
You got a few tricks up your sleeve
Don’t get stuck in a rut
Or stuck in the same
You got exactly what you need
You got a talent don’t you know?
You’re more talented than you know
And you give it a shot
And give it the time
And be surprised how far it goes
But I think I’m gonna die
Before I see my time
But I think I’m gonna die
Try it anyway
You gotta answer to yourself
2 days a week outside yourself
You take an hour a day, an hour a day
And you don’t respond to anyone else
You got a few things on your shelf
You got to look through for yourself
You gotta choose what to read
Choose what to believe
And you don’t take it from anyone else
But I think I’m gonna die
Before I see my time
But I think I’m gonna die
Try it anyway
Get Answer to Yourself by Soft Pack on iTunes
Check out more on their MySpace page.
The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music.
Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.
If you’re a music freak like me, you have found that rhythm and beats are more than just a form of entertainment.
Listening and dancing to music can be healing to the core. A series of podcasts by the Library of Congress explores the power of music and how it interacts with the brain. Current episodes now available include:
Trance Formation: Music, Trance, Religious Experience and the Brain
From Mode to Emotion in Musical Communication
The Music of Language and the Language of Music
Click on any of the links above to go to the entire list of podcasts on iTunes.
On Saturday, I attended the Ragga Muffins Festival in Long Beach. Michael Zampelli took some photos for The District Weekly and I snagged a few for this blog.
My favorite musical act of the day was Big Youth (pictured above). This man exudes more verve and childlike enthusiasm than most people a fraction of his age. He’s got a groovin’ rap style and smooth moves to go with it. Go to Big Youth’s MySpace page if you want to get in the groove.
I also felt childlike and care-free wearing my Gal Vanized get-up and eating funnel cake. I decided that I was going to surrender myself to the IRIE vibes and absorb as much of the experience as possible.
The crowd was very diverse and fun. Everyone was relaxed and having a good time. It was like sitting in a big huge living room. No problems whatsoever. I wasn’t the only one there with pink hair, click on the photo below to see a larger version of the audience.
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Get your free download:
Songs to Galvanize Your Mind
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Here is Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery of the event:
It’s my body. If I am overweight by societal standards or some height/weight chart, my body does not need to be starved in order to fit in. My body will be the size it is supposed to be if I am taking care of myself. I will not fight it.
It’s my body. If I go out on a date and a guy buys me dinner, I do not owe him a kiss or anything else. A simple, “thank you,” does the job just fine. Despite what society might say, my body is not my currency.
It’s my body. If I overeat at a party today, because the food is just so good, I do not need to restrict or over-exercise tomorrow. My body needs to be nourished, everyday, and never deserves to be punished.
It’s my body. If I have been abused, my body does not deserve to be hated. My body is not disgusting because of what someone else did to me. My body is not something to feel ashamed of or to hide. I cherish my body.
It’s my body. If I am sick, I need to give my body rest and do whatever it takes to get well. My body is not invincible. It is fragile. I must not abuse it with food, alcohol, drugs, or anything else. I must take care of it.
It’s my body. Today my organs are nourished and can function properly. I get enough sleep. 
I am strong. I do things that feel enjoyable like hiking, swimming, getting a massage, yoga, or even kissing my date — when I choose to do so.
It’s my body. I do not look like you or anyone else. You might be taller or thinner than me. By societal standards, you might be prettier than me. But you are not me. And I am not you.
It’s your body. Respect it. Nourish it. Love it.
Jenni Shaefer will be a guest on The Sheri and Erin Show on February 18, 2010. You can visit the show page to set a reminder before the show so you won’t forget. Also, if you see this post after February 18 you can listen to the archive.
Here’s a link directly to Jenni Shaefer’s interview. You can listen to the archive using the player below.
Appointed to the Ambassador Council of the National Eating Disorders Association, Jenni Schaefer is a singer/songwriter, speaker, and author of Life Without Ed and Goodbye Ed, Hello Me. She is a consultant with the Center For Change in Orem, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit www.jennischaefer.com.
To Galvanize your mind means to make it strong enough so that no amount of fear can stop you from doing what you want to do. Just like you can strengthen your muscles with physical exercise, you can strengthen your mind with mental practice. If you have a goal or a dream that you’ve been procrastinating or sabotaging. Now might be the perfect time to galvanize your mind.
Get a free hypnosis MP3 download titled Create the Life You Want at icreathabits.com
This past Sunday I realized one of the many ways my Toastmasters training comes in handy. In this video, you’ll see how the hostess of the party invites each person in attendance to light a candle and “tell the birthday girl why you’re glad she was born.”
None of us was prepared for this speech, including me. However, thanks to my many hours of training in Toastmasters, I have improved my impromptu speaking skills.
Toastmasters helps you to think on your feet and teaches you skills like vocal variety, body language and storytelling. After I told Tina why I’m glad she was born, someone said “good speech”. I simply held my hands out, shrugged my shoulders and replied, “Toastmasters!”
Toastmasters is an International organization. Find out more on their website.
See more speech videos on my YouTube Channel. Subscribe today.
To see a seven minute video of Tina Tessina’s birthday, go here.
If you need help learning how to love yourself as you are, consider the Love Your Body, Love Yourself hypnosis and affirmation CD or the Donate Your Weight program.
This video is about a movie being made from a movement. There’s some interesting footage of people in action at a grass roots level. I have long wanted to be the kind of person who makes a difference but it seems I was always getting in my own way.
I didn’t always know that’s what I was doing but as I look back on the past with the knowledge and experience I have now, I know…”It was all me, every bit of it me.”
I proclaim that 2010 is going to be an exception to the rule. If there’s a shift going on (and I do believe there is) I want to be a part of it.
I have three goodies for you and each one will contribute to galvanizing your mind and preparing you get out of your own way and take action on your dreams and desires:
1) a free hypnosis MP3 titled Create the Life You Want at my iCreateHabits.com blog
2. Songs to Galvanize Your Mind list available here.
3. The Sheri and Erin Show on Blog Talk Radio.
Each of these goodies will give your mind what it needs to live free from fear so you can take part in ‘The Shift’ if you’re ready.
Kids Talk Politics at www.kidstalkpolitics.com.
“As heated as any adult debate over the war or the economy.” – L.A. Times
Check it out for yourself. It’s enlightening.
As a young girl I loved things like watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. I loved playing outside, listening to my musical jewelry box with the twirling ballerina inside and I loved to create things.
This video was inspired by that and more and offers me the perfect excuse to tell you about The Sheri and Erin Show – Time to Gal Vanize.
This show is designed to help you let go of self-imposed limitations and get reacquainted with joy, authenticity and zest for life. You can click on the player below to go to the show page and/or listen to a recent episode.
