Gratitude, what is this all about?

You never know how lucky you are, until it’s all gone. What is that all about? It seems like we have this ability to take things for granted once they begin to become easier for us. If not your job, it’s the relationship with your partner, or our parents, people that are always there for us, why?

We are so busy running after what we think makes us happy, like success, love, power, recognizing that we never really take the time to look around and be truly thank full for all the little things we have in our life. I am so guilty of that with an always moving forward mentality, working head down until “I make it”. It’s never enough, isn't it? no no, we can do more, have more, want more, care more until you hit a wall, or get thrown in a completely different situation. Perhaps it’s the universe who is tell you, head up, look around, there is beauty you haven’t seen, amazing people you need to meet, you are missing the best part!! Oh, and by the way, if you don’t listen, the life that you know will stop, deconstruct and rebuild in a different way.

They talk about a gratitude journal, meditation, breathing just to acknowledge your wealth.

I do all these things, write on my gratitude journal, meditate, yoga and it comes in waves, sometimes I can let go of it all and sometimes not.

I started a podcast because I was told that it was the thing to do, to share my musical journey but what I didn’t know is that I would enjoy it so much. Having deep conversations about things that matter, and connecting on a deep level gives me a different protective on things. My latest conversation with Jad was set to talk about the impact of social media in countries where we don’t have the same rights as in Europe. But it became more than that, it became about connection, belonging, and love. Jad shares his path with us from war to peace, from the place where you are born and culture to finding your place in another part of their world, while never forgetting your roots.

It’s quite interesting to grow up somewhere where you don’t really fit in, to then move somewhere else where you can be the real you but still, something is missing. For me, it was growing up in Paris, France to then moving to NYC, and then London. Nowhere really feels like home, once you start moving. In yoga they say your home is your body, is where you Iive for the longest time, and to me, it is all so true. Just like any home, you have to take care of it, love it, nourish it, and be grateful to it. I had so many fights with my body, not being thin enough or strong, too tall, too many curls haha not good enough,

Just like that the vision I have of myself is the vision I have of the world, of others. How can you love someone else fully if you don’t love yourself? Well, that I will say I am in progress, learning, accepting, and surrender.

Life is an amazing place, and we are here to live it fully. Look at it through someone else eyes, you might notice things you have never seen before. Say thank you to others, to yourself.

Listen it’s all there for you,

What if you could design your own life like how you would design your house?

What if I said you could choose a different subject, just like you would choose a piece of

furniture, and that you don't need it forever? What if, at some point, you can change it to something else? Would you believe me? Would you try it?

I find it very interesting how, at a very young age, we are put in brackets of what we are

good at, one that probably defines the direction our lives will take. I was good at math

during middle school; I remember having a teacher that explained everything in a way that

made so much sense to me. However, when I went to high school with a major in literature

and arts, maths was my worst grade; I couldn’t get it! Did this make me feel like I was just

bad at it? Yes. More than that, I lost interest. I felt stupid for not being able to understand it.

I remember the teacher saying, “Do you get it now?” and even if I didn’t, I would say yes so

that the pressure of not being good enough, not being smart enough, would pass.

If we are told we are not good at something, does it give us, perhaps subconsciously,

the idea that we should move on to something else?

Of course, I never wanted to be a mathematician, but what if I did? I was told I wasn't good

at it, so why waste my time? Do we choose our careers based on what we are told we are

good at or what we want to do?

I have always followed my passion for music, singing, and songwriting even though I wasn't

told I was the best at it. I remember hearing my piano teacher talk to my mother and tell

her that I was mediocre, but my brother was so much better; I was ten years old! In high

school, I was never taken seriously as a singer. My best friend at the time and I would study

and audition like crazy for the school shows. One of our music teachers talked about us in

front of the class and said, “those two are here for acting”. That comment broke our hearts,

but it wasn’t going to stop me.

I don’t know what made me not pay attention to what people thought about my singing. I

thought it was just an obstacle and that both the next song and performance will be better.

I still think like this today. Many friends have told me they have no idea what they should be

doing with their lives; perhaps they fell into their careers and just kept going. We all have

dreams of growing up and of being somebody, but at some point, that dream is killed

because we chose to listen to what people say instead of what feels right.

My conversation with Kay (from my podcast “Do it your way”) was a real learning

experience. She talks about her journey, from listening to what felt right later on in life and

how this change created a new career and a new way of life.

Ask yourself right now: am I living the life I want? Am I in the process of living the life I

want? What is your answer? What does your gut tell you? If the answer is no, what changes

can you start making? Little things can start to make a difference. Even just asking yourself

this question can provoke a feeling. Perhaps you are thinking of a million different reasons

and excuses of why you can't do it, and to that, I would say: how has it been working for

you?

Let’s continue this conversation. Join me on my socials and

email Theandreadee@gmail.com. This could be the start of something big!

Building relationships that matter

I don’t know about you, but I'm not the kind of girl that has lots of friends for the sake of having lots of friends. I'm the quiet one when I feel like I don’t fit in, I'd rather be alone than be around people that I don’t like.

I have always been like this, when I moved to America for my last year of high school, I spent most of my lunches in the computer room I didn’t get them, they didn’t get me, sometimes it was lonely but I just felt like I didn’t belong.

Now that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t social, polite, and gave up trying to find out why, but I guess I just wanted to find my tribe, my people.

Fast forward to now, as an artist, musician, entrepreneur, and creator, I can tell you that when I meet a manager, or music industry person my guard is up, I don’t trust easily.

For those of us who have been in the industry for a while you might know what I’m talking about. A lot of industry people will reach out, and for some reason love to subsequently tear down your work. "You should do this, that, you have been doing it all wrong," they say they like your music, they can make you a superstar, if only you did what they say .... blah blah blah.

With time, I learned that it is a business! Somebody wants to work with you because in a way you are giving them something. It’s an exchange, it can be that they believe you might make them lots of money(the investment) it can be that having you around makes them feel like they are important (the ego boost ), it can be that they love your music and want the world to hear it ( not everybody is all bad ) but knowing why, the purpose, makes the relationship real. Honesty always establishes trust.

Now I met very few bands and artists who really loved their managers or management company, that is why it was important for me to do my first podcast interview with Rebecca Boulton, the manager of New Order. Not only has she been in the industry for more than 25 years but managing the same band, I found this incredible! Hearing her perspective about establishing herself as a trusted manager, as well as her views on what makes an artist was really inspiring.

I invite you to create a world where you feel you can count on the people around you, a world where you don’t have to take anything less than what works for you. It will take a little time, and perhaps at times you might feel like you should settle for less, as long as your vision is clear, it will all work out ( trust your instinct).

As for me well I'm always looking to work with different mindsets, to grow, get better, when the wrong energy knocks at my door, I give it some time to really look into it, analyze it, take a breath before I make any decisions (at least I try ). Although it is difficult for me to say no to new opportunities, not every single one is the right one.

if you are interested in working together let me know., would love to hear your thoughts.

You can catch the podcast, here...