As we approach Valentines Day I wanted to send this message of love to you once more. I wrote the song More Than You Know in 2008 and the video was created by film students at Regent University. Please own the lyrics and feel free to share the video with those that may need to hear the message.
Claudia Carawan
positively soulful music and inspiration
Dear Bravehearts: It has been a long time since I posted here. It's been a busy year. I recorded this rendition of Silent Night last year with a good friend. Wanted to share it with you again. Hope you are enjoying this holiday!
Dear Bravehearts
Just in time for Valentine's Day I'm happy to share my completed music video for the song More Than You Know (off of the Fearless CD). This video was filmed in high definition film last April with a crew of 20+ (including dancers, actors, makeup, special effects and film crew). It was an amazing experience, and I blogged about it in detail! This is a milestone achievement for me. I hope you enjoy it and please share it with your friends.
sending love "more than you know"
Claudia Carawan
...positively soulful music and inspiration
I went to a party with my husband the other day and I ran into an old friend from my college days. I hadn't seen her in many years and the LOVE was flowing as we hugged and swapped stories and tried to catch each other up with what was going on in our lives. She is a successful psycho-therapist with a private practice. I told her all about my music career. When the laughing began to wane she reached out and touched my hand. She said, "Claudia you have always been such an inspiration to me."
Now.. this came as quite a shock to me that I inspired her. Although I am wiser now, in my twenties-thirties I was an emotional mess. I suffered from depression, low self esteem and had my share of dysfunctional relationships with the opposite sex. "I inspired YOU? I asked befuddled."
Then she reminded me of a story from my past-- a story about my kitchen table.
Back in those days I had a dysfunctional relationship with a young man. We had a roller coaster relationship (up, down, on, off, etc.) I put up with the instability because I WAS AFRAID TO BE ALONE. Finally one day in a moment of clarity (when the relationship was off) I realized that this relationship would never be what I needed. I realized that I wanted a future with a dependable husband and a family-- so I did something DIFFERENT. I broke up with the guy PERMANENTLY.
Then I drove to a furniture store and made a purchase: A huge beautiful oak dinner table & chairs. This table was the very first furniture purchase I ever made, but the table represented more than a piece of furniture to me.
I told myself and a few of my friends...
This table represents my sustenance, my family and my future. I will drink tea with my girlfriends at this table. One day I will drink wine with my husband at this table. One day I will serve my family Thanksgiving dinner on this table. One day I will roll out gingerbread cookie dough on this table with my children...and so on. The table helped me believe that I would not be ALL ALONE.
After Susan reminded me of this story from my past I began to cry. I had forgotten all about that story. Then I spoke.. I STILL HAVE THAT KITCHEN TABLE and YES... I baked gingerbread cookies on it last month! I took in the moment, incredulous at the thought that something I did (30 years ago) would be remembered. Amazed at how my thoughts (and my table) helped me to manifest a family life. Susan shared that she has imparted this story to many of her young female clients through the years.
We can never measure the impact we have on one another.
Hello Bravehearts! I have not been very active on the site recently, but I still check in from time to time to read the blogs, watch videos and check my messages. I have hit the ground running with my goals for 2010. I have begun life coaching again and this helps me fine-tune my FOCUS so I can create with EASE AND GRACE. On the 2010 agenda is a new recording so I am currently writing and recording in my home studio. I LOVE being in this creative flow. Being creative, my biggest challenge is harnessing my over active imagination to get tangible results.
The most exciting news I have is the upcoming release of my MUSIC VIDEO for the song More Than You Know. I blogged about the filming of the music video (which happened in April of 2009). Directed and produced by film students from Regent University (and filmed in high definition film) the video utilized a crew of over 20 including (dancers, singers, actors and crew). The filming of the video was an amazing experience for me and the resulting video should be very inspiring. I will post it here asap!
As I type this I am looking out my window at a blanket of snow. They are calling for more snow (an additional 10 inches) this weekend. Unfortunately for me... one of my performances has been cancelled due to the inclement weather so I will
A few years ago I was invited perform and speak at a church in Naples, Florida. It was a thrill to experience the western coast of Florida during this working-vacation. The hotels, restaurants and shops in Naples had an Eurpean flair. The beaches were unlike any I have been to in the U.S. They were pristine! White sand, warm, bath-like water and seashells everywhere. There were so many sand dollars you would think you were a millionaire. My eight-year old daughter had the time of her life!
Our host for the weekend (Rev. Melanie) was a beautiful joy-filled woman (truly a Braveheart) with a hearty laugh and a HUGE zest for life. Once we got to town she invited us to a restaurant on the beach for dinner, drinks and dancing. Our party sat outside on the patio overlooking the ocean and watching the sun set. There was a band playing reggae music and it felt like a scene from a Hollywood movie. Being from Virginia, I had never seen the sun SET over the ocean before so it was a magical evening.
The band was trying to get the audience to dance and most of us were too comfortable in our seats, drinking beer and soaking up the breeze. That is when I noticed her. She was an African American women, in her mid-thirties, wearing very tight clothes--- white tee-shirt over ample cleavage, and tight shorts stretched over a glorious booty. When the band invited the crowd to dance, she did NOT wait for a second invitation. Up she went to the dance floor alone. I was struck by her beauty and her confidence. Her actions reminded me of a song by blues artist Keb' Mo
She's not looking for a lover she's not looking for romance She just wants to dance She just wants to dance
Watching her move sensually, I remember thinking she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Here is the remarkable thing. She was (by popular culture's standards) plump and her face didn't look like that of a model. It was the joyful confidence and the self-love she exuded while she danced that made her extraordinarily beautiful. She danced and celebrated every curve of her body as the crowd looked on. She danced by herself on an empty dance floor because she wanted to.
Years later I am still thinking about her. Today I am thinking about body image and confidence and I wonder...
What is it about gaining 5-10 pounds that makes me feel I need to throw on a baggy jacket or hide?
My dancing brave-hearted sister demonstrated to me what beauty is about. One of my New Years intentions is to be more like her... to dance my dance regardless of my age, weight or partner. To exude confidence, joy and self-love on the dance floor of life. To express the brave hearted sensual beauty that I am.
love to all Claudia Carawan ...positively soulful music and inspiration
Hello Bravehearts: I wanted to share this original recording of Silent Night and "video" with you once more. I recorded it last month. Hope it gets you in the holiday spirit. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The following is a slideshow video I created to my live recording of Silent Night. I recorded this last month at a studio with my good friend Lucy Kilpatrick on the piano.
I hope this music & slideshow help you get into the holiday spirit. As a holiday gift you can obtain a free download of this recording (Mp3) at my website. It is my holiday gift to you. Simply go to www.claudiacarawan.com and click on the free download link.
My calendar is keeping me busy so let me say this now... I wish for YOU a joyful holiday season and an exciting, prosperous New Year full of many blessings! My life is enriched by the sisterhood and love at this commUNITY and I appreciate you!
Sending love
Claudia Carawan
positively soulful music and inspiration
In the holiday spirit of giving I have a live recording of the holiday classic Silent Night available on my website.
The song was recorded with my best friend Lucy (who is an amazing pianist). We recorded it live--meaning no overdubs or fix-ups. (The way they used to record in the days of old!)
I am currently working on a video for the song (that I will post here when complete).
To get your copy, go to my website and click on the free download link. Here is my website and happy listening! www.claudiacarawan.com
This is a last minute blog to all the Bravehearts who are by now getting ready for Thanksgiving. You are (no doubt) like me busy cleaning, baking, ironing, doing last minute shopping, packing, and/or getting ready to travel. I decided to take a short blog-break and pop in my favorite Christmas CD (BB King is singing Merry Christmas Baby as I type) --he is so cool!
This is just a note to say how thankful I am to be a part of this community.
My hope for you this holiday is that you truly enjoy your time with family and friends and your heart is filled with gratitude. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Love to all
A few years ago I wrote this song and recorded it on my first CD Out of the Blue. I recorded this song with a full band and I sang and played alto sax on it (I bet you didn't know I play a MEAN alto sax)! In the music industry, they call this song "a list song". I simply made a list of all things I was thankful for and created a song from my list. There are lots of things I want and desire, but I can humbly say (thank you God) I Got Everything I Need.
During this season of gratitude I thought I would share it with you. If you would like an free Mp3 of this song for your ipod, or music player simply go to my website www.claudiacarawan.com and click on the Free Music Link at the top of the Home Page. The lyrics follow. I truly believe we all have ...everything we need.
Everything I Need
I may only have a five in my pocket
But I feel content and I'm glad I got it…oooh
I got everything I need
Abundant treasures I may not posses
Despite it all, I found happiness
I feel rich and that's everything I need
My philosophy may appear a little strange
But I can't measure the good I got
with dollars and small change
I got everything I need
Been on top of the world and I've been down and out
Took a few years, but I know what life's about
I found love and it's the real thing
It's not the big bang on the 4th of July
It's quiet and humbling like a baby's sigh
I know love and it 's everything I need
I got somebody loving me just as sure as he is able
I've got my friends and family sitting round my kitchen table
That's everything I need
When my dreams and desires
Push me on to get more
I try to remember what I got I'm thankful for
I got everything I need
I got a song to sing and I got a soaring spirit
I got a band to play my song and I got people to hear it
That's everything I need.
I Got Everything I Need
I Got Everything I Need
I got the love of my friends and family, I got angels in heaven watching over me and that’s everything
If I lost it all and I was all alone, I know my faith would lead me home, I got everything
If happiness would be a crime, I would gladly serve my time, I got everything
Words and Music - Claudia Carawan copyright 2003, Heart Over the Bar, ASCAP
This week I came to the realization that I am not the same woman I used to be.
For the last year I have put my energies into achieving a particular goal. I did everything within my power to realize this dream. You see, I am a very good student. I did the following...
I journaled, I took action, I visualized, I reached beyond my comfort zone in finding others to support me, I acted "as if" and I believed with the unbridled innocence of a child...
So much in fact, that when the Universe gave me a "NO-- NOT GONNA HAPPEN NOW" I was in a state of shock. I must admit... one week later, it is hard to believe my goal was not realized. It seemed "so within my reach"
BUT HERE IS THE INTERESTING THING: I have not gotten angry, thrown a fit, cussed like a sailor, blamed anyone or felt sorry for myself (well... maybe just a little sorry for myself ---and it's been a whole week)! It has dawned on me I am not the same woman I was a year ago.
The RISE experience (still fresh in my mind) reminded me I AM AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION AT LETTING GO and REJECTION HAPPENS GET OVER IT! As I have moved though this "rejection" this week I have reminded myself of these truths and guess what? It feels good! It feels good not to hold onto anger, self pity or blame.
A victim believes that the world or others in the world are conspiring against them. This conscious co-creator now understands that "it" (my dream) is between Me and my God. There is no one to blame.
I will continue to work toward the realization of this dream and I know sooner or later I will achieve this or something better. Fearlessly yours
The night of the Braveheart Red Carpet Awards was a great night for the Braveheart Women Global Community. I am glad we could acknowledge so many for being INSPIRATION IN ACTION. The dinner before the event was very festive. Those Braveheart women in attendance looked beautiful in their finery. It was hard to tell a Braveheart Women from a celebrity--because we are a fine looking group of women, for sure! I was at the dinner because I was fortunate to win a VIP ticket from the online raffle. (Inside Story: I REALLY kept claiming to the Universe that I was going to win the car because I AM PROSPEROUS --however the Universe graced me with the VIP ticket instead (thank YOU Universe and Braveheart Women.com)
As we dined before the awards ceremony I was surprised when Les Brown entered the dining room. I didn't realize he had been invited to the event to present an award to Dr. Maya Angelou. FYI: Les Brown is one of the most sought after motivational speakers. I enjoy his Inner Core resource video very much and his installment of A Braveheart View is easily one of the BEST. He is an inspiration. He was seated at a reserved table for dinner so I was surprised when he appeared at our table to chat after dinner.
When he appeared, I was autographing copies of my CD and (to my surprise) he said to me... Can I have one too?
I blinked. My jaw dropped.
Then I breathed in the moment and said... Absolutely!
Imagine Me... sharing my inspiration with an Inspirational giant like Les Brown.
P.S. If my hair looks messy it is because I styled it with a PASTA FORK! (heh heh! we learned about beauty tips such as these at RISE)
P.S. Many thanks to Braveheart Sheli Gartman who sent me this picture. I forgot to pack a camera! Again... I am prosperous!
Almost 1 week past the RISE event and I haven't blogged about it because so much happened at the jam-packed event. How do I fit my impressions into 1-2 paragraphs?
I will focus on the events that really touched me and have remained with me all week.
I carried my personal mantra for the event... What is mine will find me. I am glad I carried this gem with me. It serves to keep me grounded.
I also carried Maya Angelou's book, A Letter to my Daughter to read on the plane, so I feel she had a huge impact on me during the event. She is a huge inspiration to me. I have thought about her words... "Lean on no one, and bow to nothing but God" whoah... can I lean just a little? Seriously... what those words call forth in me is STRENGTH and POWER.
I took to heart Ellie Drake's challenge to "Become an Olympic Champion at Letting Go. I am excellent at letting go. Only problem is sometimes I pick "IT" back up again. Letting go means LEAVE IT BEHIND QUIICKLY and I'm working on this Ellie.
My heart opens when I think of the powerful words of Peggy O'Neil who told us to "Look for the Diamond Inside You". Surely God has planted diamonds in us all!
I had a major Aha moment on Friday when the panel (Claudia Jordan, Rolando and others said "Rejection happens... get over it! (This was encouraging for me to hear as I sometimes erroneously believe I am the only one who deals with issue!)
Talent Show Thoughts: I want to congratulate everyone who stepped up to audition on Thursday night. Every sister in the room on Thursday night had talent and FEARLESS courage. Although everyone did not get the opportunity to perform I encourage you to NOT give up on your gifts. Keep stepping up! You INSPIRE!
John Assarof reminded me again of the importance of holding a BIG BELIEF and a POSITIVE EXPECTANT attitude.
The evening of the Awards Show as we "dined among the stars" I had the opportunity to share my CD Fearless with a few Braveheart sisters. Imagine my surprise when motivational giant Les Brown walked up to me and requested a copy of my CD. My jaw dropped and I gladly autographed a copy of my Fearless CD for him. Under my breath I said... what is mine will find me!
Last but certainly not least I was so glad to meet the many Bravehearted women who have inspired me on the blogs for so many months. Braveheart Women are beautiful, smart, powerful, courageous, kind, supportive, love in action, creative, community-builders, funny and GOOD DANCERS.
I ask this question knowing that civility exists in this Braveheart Community, but I am heavy hearted as I write this short blog. I was upset to learn that our county schools would not air President Obama's speech to schoolchildren.
I feel this is peculiar as I have never heard of this before. It feels like a blatant show of disrespect to the president, the presidency & the many people who elected him into office. This should not be a political issue.
What are we teaching our children with this action? How will they learn to respect authority if we (as mature grownups) do not. Are we so polarized politically that we cannot listen to one another with respect?
I have contacted members of the school board to express my disappointment. I will keep you posted.
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