I have always wanted to take a painting class and I finally got the chance a few days ago while I was away visiting my Dad for a quick getaway! Oh boy, I so needed the downtime after spending the past 6 months on renovating my website and getting the new music video for “Getting Out Of My Own Way” ready for it’s official release! I had such a great painting this picture. I gotta be honest, though, there were a mix of emotions going on inside of me as I painted each stroke, like I was on top of the world yet afraid to take the next step. I remember at the very beginning of the lessson I was worried that I would mess something up. But then, as I kept painting, I realized it’s just like writing a song! Why? Because when I write, usually the best songs that are birthed come from a mix of instinct and error. So I just allowed myself to follow that recipe and what do ya know, my first painting was done!

Reach… as high and as long as you must to accomplish your dreams. Be an example… not an excuse!

So I had to share this with you. About a week ago I’m making my regular gourmet oatmeal that I love so much. Ok, a 1/2 cup of skim milk. A 1/2 cup of water. Dice me some apples, slice me some bananas, throw in a bit of blueberries, ok… now some….vanilla… some cinnamon… hmmm… this is usually so easy to shake out… let me try some more… Hmmmm…. weird…. one more… oops! That’s not cinnamon… it’s cayenne pepper Jen! Remember you moved the cabinets around? Ok… I can fix this… Ok… add the real cinnamon into the pot… taste it… Holly Molly Miss Golly… HOT! Ok, keep on thinking… hmmm… syrup to cut the burn… Ok… add some syrup… Done! What did I do…? I ate it…Whew… that’s the hottest experience I ever had!

The star of “Sleeping With The Fishes” Gina Rodriguez was named one of “top 35 Latinos under 35” by the Hollywood Reporter after gaining recognition for her starring role in the movie “Filly Brown” and “Sleeping With The Fishes”. You know, life takes us on a journey when we consistently take steps towards our true vision. There is no right way of getting there. And honestly, once we get to a destination along the journey, the only thing entering the mind most likely is, “Ok, got there. Breathe. What next?” I want to recognize Nicole Gomez Fisher for being on such a journey. She has followed her vision consistently and it’s shifted in many different ways over the years and she kept saying… “Ok… what next?” What next? Well for her, it was a newly formed script called “Sleeping With The Fishes” she wrote and then years later was able to move from paper to the screen. I was lucky enough that Nicole was touched by my song “Getting Out Of My Own Way” and wanted to put it in her film when it was done. It was icing on the cake that it ended up being featured[…]

The internal battle can only go as far as you allow it to. You know, as a songwriter, “Getting Out Of My Own Way” is not just a song I wrote, it’s become a saying for how I live each day so I can achieve exactly what I was meant to, rather than me sabotaging myself out of fear of not knowing what will come of playing BIG rather than staying small.

It takes many tiny actions to build a fortress that will stand the test of time. So if you’re curious as to what I’ve been doing over the past 15 plus years… there’s your answer…

There’s never gonna be a right time for anything or anyone, so just jump! Jump towards what you know deep in your heart feels right!

WHAT we CHOOSE to believe MIRRORS how OUR life turns out EACH DAY. Our BELIEFS, our ACTIONS, our FAITH allow for POWERFUL energy WITHIN us to SURGE into the LIVES of those AROUND us. This year has been FILLED with MANY MIRACLES and EVEN MORE TRAGEDIES. Either way, it has been ABUNDANT. Life will ALWAYS throws us CURVE BALLS. It is OUR job to STAND UP and DANCE towards our TRUE PURPOSE. It is OUR job to SHARE our HEARTS, our GIFTS, our VULNERABILITY WITH EVERYONE we ENCOUNTER. It is OUR job to BE the CHANGE we NEED to see in OTHERS.

Keep Calm. Be Patient. YOU GOT THIS!