Sad Day for the Music Industry

Whitney Houston passed away today.
Sadly, for me it comes as no surprise.  Still, it is heartbreaking.
Talk about a tragedy~ 
Her talent was enormous.  Unfortunately, so was her fame.
I'm not a celebrity, but I can only imagine how easy it is to get lost in "YesLand."
Anyone that watched the Oprah interview last year could see that Whitney was still in pain and most likely on drugs.  It was a cry for help on national television, and not even Oprah called her out on it.
Talent. Ego. Fame. Money.
It can be a lethal combination.
I'm devastated that Whitney had so many people who loved her, but clearly not enough to convince her to get help, so that she might love herself.
Sad day in music.

I Finally Get It...

I always thought I knew exactly what my purpose was on this earth.

I have faith in God that I was put here for a reason.  

I have faith in myself that I could take the passion, determination and talent I posses and

use it to impact the lives of others.

My mistake was in believing that the only way I could make a difference was once I had achieved my

highest goal.

What finally clicked today, (and I admit it was entirely because of Oprah's last show) was that I have had an impression on every person that I have ever interacted with- and they on me.

Until today, I believed that I was living a full life-

I gave myself permission to shine a long time ago and I honestly thought I had been doing just that ever since.  

But I have not.

There was still a piece of me holding back. 

I was waiting to be validated.  

But I was seeking it from the wrong places.

Fame, money and recognition is not validation.

It is fame, money and recognition.

Today it became clear.  My life has been filled with validation.

In every job I've been blessed with, every bond that I've made, every smile I've shared, every journey and wild adventure has been a validation of my life.

Today I will stop waiting for the perfect opportunity to make a difference, and I will work to make a difference in every opportunity.