April 2023 Newsletter
Prince recorded “When Doves Cry” in an overnight session on March 2, 1984
It lasted for 16 hours, from 3:30 pm to 7:30 am the next morning.
In 1984 I was in the sixth grade and 10 years old. My older sister, Tisha, had a copy of the Prince, Purple Rain album, and, since we lived in southern Ontario, Canada, close to the border with Michigan, his first single from that album, When Doves Cry, played several times a day over the radio waves that we gladly scooped up from across the river in Detroit. I already adored the sound of Prince's music from before that, cluelessly singing along to Little Red Corvette and other inappropriate songs for children from previous albums. I loved the music so much, my sister recorded a cassette tape for me of the whole album, and every night, I went to bed with a tape recorder (intended for piano lesson practice lol) playing that album over and over under the covers until I fell asleep.
Note this is a condensed version of the April 2023 newsletter. For the full, interactive and original experience, visit it on FloDesk.
It's hard, even now, for me to pinpoint the source of my love and obsession with this album, mostly I think it was because it was a difficult time in my life, and the music was like a dear friend that I could count on to be there for me each night. His words and sounds, inappropriate or not, were full of a raw emotion that I connected with. But I think there's more. Since his death on April 21, 2016, I've discovered a couple of things about him that I didn't know back then that have gotten me to thinking:
He hand-wrote his song-lyrics. (Actually, any of us who've been alive since before 1999 might remember this strange practice of holding a pen or pencil in our hands to write cursive, yes?) For some reason, the above photo of his handwritten lyrics for When Doves Cry dropped my jaw and my digital scroll when I saw it, you don't see a lot of hand-written things like that in our digital age anymore. His hand-written lyrics for Nothing Compares to You (made more famous when sung by Sinead O'Connor in 1990), sold in 2021 for over $150K.
Even earlier, in 1979 at age nineteen, yes NINETEEN, he went on American Bandstand and was interviewed by Dick Clark about his music and his second album at the time, which he had produced himself. He had been trying since age fifteen, but no one would let him, so, he didn't sell any of his songs or agree to an album deal until they did. These two things, him writing down his feelings and, believing so deeply in his capabilities and musical talent that he refused to settle for anything less than his goal, reminded me of the same power we all hold in our own hands.
In the summer of 2020, I attended a Creative Mornings field trip webinar that was focused on writing. The only rule was - you had to physically write down your thoughts to the prompts, and preferably in cursive. It threw everybody for a loop, including me. I was all ready with my laptop and my word doc. Grumpily, I went along with it, and you know what? That became the start of a novel I've been working on since. It was in fact, so effective, that I ignored the rest of the prompts and kept writing, for pages and pages in cursive, just like I had done as a kid when I discovered how much I love to write. It un-locked something in me, and I was off and running.
Studies show that writing, and particularly cursive writing, help the brain and the body to learn and grow in ways that typing and texting do not.
So you can probably guess where this is going, are you with me? Will you try a few hand-written practices this month, and see what it unlocks for you? Here's some prompts to get you started:
Recall an experience you have had where it felt like everything you thought you knew about something or someone, changed.
When you were in the sixth grade, what was your favorite hobby (or secret obsession?)
What's something about yourself, a strength, a capability, or a goal, that you know to be absolutely 100% true? And, how can you flex that a bit more to yourself and out in the world this month?
Stylized photo of Prince in action by crystal artist, Sarah Shakeel.
I hope it inspires you to think about and then play your real and metaphoric life guitar in ways you never dreamed possible!
Go ahead, I dare you to find your flow state and let it rip.
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WATCH MYA EPISODE 61, CECELIA BOLDEN
My other big sister, Cecelia, holds an E-MBA from Notre Dame, and works as an executive business strategist, who was recently interviewed on another show about supplier diversity, cultivating community and generational wealth. She's also a client relationship expert, community volunteer and mentor, a DEIA advocate, and keynote speaker. Also of note - she's a proud Mom of two with her partner of 30+ years! In this episode, I interview her to draw out some of her personal and professional stories, and we focus on what Cecelia does best - helping others. Whether it is in the c-suite, at home, in school, as a volunteer or as a Mom, she wears all the hats, and believes her ultimate purpose is to be in service to humankind.
SLEEP PRESCRIPTION: HAPPY MEMORIES
THE JOY OF LETTING LOOSE
BEES TEACH THEIR BABIES TO DANCE
WATCH MYA EPISODE 60, JAMES KAPICKA
James Kapicka is a 21st century yogi I interviewed who lives and works as a movement facilitator, yoga ambassador and Thai bodyworker with a passion for bringing people together to celebrate, learn and connect. Through sincere and heartfelt guidance, James creates an environment that empowers students to trust their intuition and listen to their heart. His approach promotes curiosity, creative play and authentic expression, allowing for a deeply resonant relationship with self, others and our planet. Explore his website, yogajames.com to see all his wonderful offerings.
THE INSPIRED ARTIST PODCAST
Lucky Me!
I was so excited to be a guest on the Inspired Artist Podcast with host, Porter Singer.
LISTENING: The Terra Firma Podcast pairs 5-10 minute reflections on nature with gathered sounds from the public outdoors all over North America. Featuring indigenous artists and creators, and sponsored by Colorado Public Radio.
EATING: Smoothies! Use what’s in season and what you love. Spruce it up with vitamins and minerals as needed. I love to add vitamin c, collagen and chia seeds.
LOOKING HEART EYES AT: Interior Designer, Rebecca Plumb.
READING: Microjoys by Cyndie Spiegel.
COMING UP ON APRIL 14: CESAR FIGUEROA
Cesar's mission and purpose is to improve humanity by inspiring others to CEEZ their lives and dictate the outcomes of their own thoughts, actions, and reactions with the implementation of healthy habits. He says: “A healthy relationship includes me, you and us, so let's work on all three.”
COMING UP ON APRIL 28: NARIA, AN AUDIO NOVELLA
I tried my best to get my husband to read aloud this novella he wrote in 2010 (he has a beautiful and buttery low baritone voice), but he wasn't into it. Thankfully, he gave me the go-ahead to record it, so look forward to two upcoming episodes at the end of April featuring this audio book! It's a mystery and adventure that follows the protagonist, Naria, as she searches for her missing partner, protects a found infant and meets a mysterious guardian along the way.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please rate and review it! It helps other people to discover it and enjoy it also. Currently MYA is within the top 10% of all podcasts, world wide - woo hoo!
AND, JUST FOR FUN
Taylor Jay Designs is based in Oakland, California, and I’m a proud ambassador! Receive 15% off your order using code MYA at checkout.
With love and gratitude until next month my friends,
Megan