adapting
In this whirlwind of change we are all experiencing, it’s important to have anchors and take breaks. I love to take breaks. I love short naps, a week off from social media (behavioral modification apps) and a couple of days off from work. I have the temptation like many of us to never pause and always have a swift answer when people ask, what are you working on?? But right now, I’m working on answering the phone more regularly and being a good community member. I am working on being present and in my body. I find that oftentimes when I’m busy, I lose value for the present moment. I'm always thinking about and preparing for the next thing. This can lead to not fully enjoying or noticing answered prayers.
I am living answered prayers/ realized dreams. I'm grateful.
Speaking of realized dreams, this year I've lived several including :
Completing my first European tour with my friend Marcella Simien
Printing and selling physical copies of my music for the first time
Having writing credits on an award winning song
Built relationships with several dynamic front women who understand how it feels to lead a band.
And there's more ahead. More dreaming, more living. For now, the focus is adapting as I'm observing that now is a time to reiterate a life more in alignment with what this time in humanstory necessitates. No need to be avoidant or fearful, but a need to be aware and adaptable.
Adaptability is going to be one of the most valuable skills you will need at this time. As the world changes, so must you. I don't mean change to ride the wave of media or majority but to ride the wave of your soul's Knowing. There are many movements happening concurrently.
Which are most relevant in order for you to keep becoming someone that thrives with integrity and wellness (as much as it’s attainable).
For example, there is a memory crisis. We are receiving so much input daily that retaining information is nearly impossible for many. Have you noticed yourself searching for simple words sometimes ? Do you recall what you were doing last Wednesday? You may not experience this and hats off to you if not but I genuinely don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of how far these changes will go so how will you adapt? Will you vow to sleep with your phone in another room at night and take an hour to acclimate to the day before intaking other people’s thoughts and ideas? Maybe you will decide to prioritize longer form content or give yourself one day off every week. The choice is yours of course but you have to adapt when you’re observing change not just diagnose the change as wholly wrong. These things exist to show us who we are and we always have the choice to opt in or out. There are many more examples and many solutions.
Recently, I’ve been opting into Brick (which temporarily locks select apps on your phone) and physical books. I may have read two physical books in 2025 (one being Beloved) but I came back strong this year with the Lillith’s Brood series by Octavia Butler and The War of Art: A History of Artists' Protest in America, by writer and editor Lauren O'Neill-Butler.
These books are worlds within themselves that offer some grounding and reminders that we are living in a future now and there’s still so much to learn from the past. Adapting can ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated incessantly.
In the spirit of iterating, accepting and adapting, I offer you to sit with my song “Ten Toes Down” and/or “You’re OK” as you contemplate. I also invite you to enjoy the listed books, if you’re in Memphis, I’m happy to lend one out or book barter. Let me know if any of this resonates, and I’ll be back when the stars align!