The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Sing Like A Bird

I’d like to tell you a little story about how important it is to have a voice; not just for singing, but to be who you are meant to be!

When I was 19 years old, which by the way, seems like yesterday (I’m proud to say I’m still 19 just with 33 years experience at it), I could sing! Boy could I sing! I would be in my bedroom in front of the mirror, just like so many more before and after me, visualizing singing on stage to thousands of people. The music filled my heart so much it ached for more! All I wanted to do was sing, not just to entertain, but more so to feel my heart and passion come alive! Nothing compared to that feeling I had when I sang.

At this time, and with the help of some great friends, I secretly planned my parents 25th Wedding Anniversary. Aside from planning the food, beverages, cake, and decorations, I also planned the entertainment – ME! I was going to face my stage fright and perform all their favorite songs. I did not have a band, all I had were the cassette tapes of these songs; it was going to have to do, as I was ready to sing over any voice that was on those tapes.

I needed to sing like a bird!

The evening was a huge hit, it was a surprise, and everyone invited showed up! It was now time to perform! I started with a classic song by The Judds, for those of you who don’t know who they are, they are a mother/daughter duo who would now compare to the raspy voice of Pink but yet the gentleness of Adele. They are really the only artists I can compare them too. I’m sure after I post this, more will come to mind.

I will never forget, after hitting some higher notes, and keeping the attention of the guests, my Uncle looked at me, with a shocked looked on his face which later turned to the confused dog look, then looked over at his two sons (who were successful in their businesses) who had the same look on their faces. After I finished singing that song, all I heard was, “that’s it! We are taking you to LA and we are getting you a contract!” I didn’t think much of it, until the next day when they called me and said, “are you ready for a career in music?”

I froze! Instant fear came over me and I hung up the phone.

I couldn’t allow myself to believe I was good enough; instantly I had every insecurity possible show up in my mind. My heart was aching for the opportunity, but my mind took over and I went on with my life.

My life brought me to a point where I lost my voice; not just to be able to sing, but to be who I really wanted to be. I was lost! Fear took over and I was lost in a place where I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t freely be me, a place where I didn’t exist. Anxiety set in and quickly I became the voice that sounded like a cat having a stroke. I lost my voice; I lost my passion.

Years went by, and knowing how my voice now could not carry a tune, I stayed quiet. I would mouth words to songs on the radio, but I would not open up to let my voice be heard. It was breaking me down more and more every single day. I never realized just how important it was to have a voice, and to be able to sing like a bird.

I became stifled in more ways than just singing. I needed to be heard, I needed to find a way to become a strong woman in this world and I needed to regain my passions in life. I just didn’t have the ability to be able to sing, but it was funny how my low self-esteem affected everything. My voice of all things was muted!

Many years later, life changed me, experiences changed me, wisdom changed me, this blog changed me, and my followers helped me to see my voice through my writing was an inspiration to others. My voice was being heard again!

I now have the fueled passion to sing like a bird again! I now have the need in my life to let it out! I now have nothing to hide! I am going to sing again! I am going to be heard and it doesn’t matter if I’m not on key, or if I sound like shattering glass, I will sing! Why? Because it is so important to have your voice heard, whether you sing, whether you want to talk, whether you have something to say, whether you are tired of being muted by the World, and whether you just want to say, “here I am, I exist in this World too!”

Sing Like A Bird My Friends, Sing Like A Bird!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Sing Like A Bird!

Photo Credit: Felecia Buitenwerf

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – My Wish List!

My Wish List!

My wish list is about you, my supporters, my family, and my friends; this is what I wish for you:

For everyone to follow their passions in life

To make healthy choices

To be safe

To wake up with gratitude in your heart

To love yourself first

To practice acts of kindness every single day

To smile

To fill your day with positive comments

To practice compassion

To empathize with souls who are struggling

To encourage others to step out of their comfort zone for just a moment

To pause during the day and reflect on how precious life is

To find it in your heart to forgive yourself

To find it in your heart to forgive others

To not judge others based on assumption

To be an ear for someone who just needs you to listen

To take a moment to journal and listen to your thoughts

To love unconditionally

To learn something new

To not put pressure on yourself; you are doing the best you can

To ask questions

To share your wisdom

and most of all…

To share with others what I have shared with you.

Wish great things and let other people know that they are thought of, that they matter, and that you sincerely care about their well-being.

Share Love, Don’t Hate, Life is Short, Appreciate!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – My Wish List!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Get Your Thoughts Out!

There are times in life where, due to respect, we simply do not say what we “want” to say, but instead we say what we “need” to say. Have you ever been in that position? You really want to say what your mind wants to say, but realize it would hurt someone’s feelings, you then bottle it up.

That is called respecting someone’s feelings. We all have a difference of opinion, that is what makes us unique; however, at times, and in certain conversations or discussions, we don’t look at it that way. We just look at it as, “why don’t they see, my opinion is right!!” When this happens, it means you have strong convictions towards your beliefs. There is nothing wrong with that either.

The key is this:

It is very important to understand we are all different, we all need to be heard, and we all need to respect others opinions as well. If we want to be heard and understood, then why wouldn’t someone else want that in their lives? That is the main question here. Makes you think, doesn’t it?

In order to keep a conversation smooth and calm, when it could go the other way, we need to stop and think before we speak. It isn’t always necessary to voice an opinion, when all the other person wants is to be heard. Which means, you just need to listen.

At times, this can cause a bit of frustration in our lives; not being able to voice an opinion, especially if it is different than the person you are listening too. You do have an option; write your thoughts down on paper.

It works! I have done this many times, and I’ve felt a sense of relief afterwards. With respect towards the person I’ve been listening too, it was clear they needed to just be heard and for me to listen, I did not comment, I simply gave compassion.

I’ve used a journal to write down my thoughts towards a situation; this doesn’t mean I don’t like the person I was conversing with, it just means, I still wrote out my opinions on a “topic” in order for me to get my own thoughts out. In a way, the paper was listening to what the pen was writing, without commenting. A different perspective, but it works!

We all have thoughts that we need to get out, every now and then, and it is important to do so. No need to bottle up emotions, write them down! There are times we cannot say certain things out loud, but our paper will listen without judgement, without criticism, and without a hurtful response.

Start your own journal and give it a try; remember you don’t need to mention any names, just get your thoughts out about your opinions of different situations. In showing respect for others, you are showing respect for yourself by creating this exercise.

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Get Your Thoughts Out!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – With Gratitude!

I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for hanging in there with The Good Vibes Only Roadshow! I have much gratitude for your dedication, loyalty, and support for my blog site, and your comments.

It has been quite the ride! With our constant support for each other, we will make it in this New World!

I encourage you all to reach out and support as many sites as you can; we need to stick together in our “blogging” world and share as much as we can, encourage each other, and to check in every now and then to make sure we are staying true to our passions in life and remaining positive!

Communication is key! Support is key! Comfort is key! Smiles are key!

Wishing you all much happiness, success, peace, and comfort in your lives! The Good Vibes Only Roadshow is here for you; 2020 Vision!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – With Gratitude!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – What Is Your Vision?

Wow! What an experience 2020 has been!

My family and I reside in Ontario, Canada, where just recently, we were advanced into Stage 3 of living. After some reflection (the past couple of weeks), I have decided to move forward in this Pandemic with a new outlook. Instead of mentioning the name of this Pandemic, I have decided to instead refer to the New World as 2020 Vision!

My family and I support everything that promotes the human race, their health, their safety, their well-being, and their Peace in a positive way. This is our 2020 Vision!

We, as the human race, need to accept and understand, whether there are some people out there who want to believe it or not, we are all in this together and we truly need to come together as one. I know some of you will, no doubt, say, “get your head out of the clouds”, but I’d like to believe that if each person were to take one moment in their day, to reach out and be kind to those they normally wouldn’t even acknowledge, then we would get further in this New World in a more positive way.

I’d like to believe it is worth giving it a shot! This New World is a different place to live in, but do we really want it to affect how we treat each other? I believe the Pandemic is doing enough in this department; it does not discriminate, it just does!

So…then why don’t we do the same! Do not discriminate, just live and let live. Do not discriminate, just love and let others love. Do not discriminate, just be happy and let others smile. Do not discriminate, be kind and let others share your kindness with others. Do not discriminate, show compassion to those who are healing and they will heal their hearts as well. Do not discriminate, share your comfort, and the World will feel at Peace.

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – What is your Vision!

Photo Credit: Marc Adriane

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Hold My Hand

Hold My Hand and give me comfort

Hold My Hand and give me joy

Hold My Hand and give me kindness

Hold My Hand and be my friend

❤

Hold My Hand and show me support

Hold My Hand and protect me from fear

Hold My Hand and show me the way

Hold My Hand and be my teacher

❤

Hold My Hand and walk with me

Hold My Hand and show me my future

Hold My Hand and we will grow together

Hold My Hand and be my love

❤

With Good Vibes Only – Hold My Hand

Copyright © 2020 Jacqueline Burke

Photo credit: Valentin Antonucci

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Going Back Home

For a very long time, I’ve wanted to be able to go back to my hometown to visit, but life always seemed to hand out more to deal with. Was this the Universe trying to tell me, I wasn’t meant to go back home? Then the Pandemic hit, and now it was going to be even longer before I could even think of heading back home. I found myself “in the meantime” and needing to make use out of this time.

Instead of feeling sad and lonely, I decided to get creative, I decided to visualize what it would be like going back home, I decided to embrace myself with the memories of a better time. My memories took me on a journey throughout my life; instead of feeling stuck in the past, I found myself healing my need to visit and healing the void. I was moving forward! At this time, I was still on a journey in my memories. Why was I experiencing a different perspective?

Was it because, I’ve grown “again” in a short period of time? Was it because, I was not taking my life I live now for granted? Was I showing more appreciation for the “now”, rather than the “past”? Were my memories creating more awareness for me? I was learning, I was letting go, and I was clearing out my mind, body and soul for new experiences. The past was fading into the distant; I blew it a kiss and waved good-bye. As I just had a beautiful visit; one I will cherish forever.

I have no regrets, I have great memories, I have lessons I’ve learned from, and I have friends that are dear to my heart. Sometimes, we don’t necessarily need to go back in the physical form, but instead we can go back in our minds and move forward.

I have learned that when devastation hit with this Pandemic, my first instinct was to run “home”. I couldn’t get back to my hometown fast enough! In reality, I hadn’t been home for 14 years, so why now all of a sudden was it so important for me to go home? I’ve come to the conclusion, home is comforting. I was needing the comfort as, along with everyone else, I was nervous and a bit scared as to what this Pandemic was going to be like. We had never experienced anything like it before.

Things started to become the new normal and we were able to understand the situation much better. Everything is a learning experience.

I now know, that if given the opportunity to one day visit my hometown, I can now do it with a sense of Peace and gratitude for the town that made me who I am today.

With Good Vibes Only – Going Back Home!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Have You Lost Your Way?

Do you feel as though you have lost your way? It is almost a childlike feeling; when a child is feeling scared and lonely in this great big World we live in. Even though we have all felt at times, lost in our way, I’m not going to say, “I understand, exactly what you are going through and how you feel”, because each experience is different. Each experience should be treated differently.

Each experience should be recognized. Each experience should be acknowledged. Each experience should be comforted.

We tend to blame ourselves when we are in a position where we feel lost, but before you go down that road, just remind yourself, sometimes the World changes and takes over the control for just a bit of time. Sometimes, things happen in the World that put us in a tiny state of shock for a moment; it isn’t anything we have done, it is just circumstances that get out of control.

That’s when we “take our control” back! We slowly find our way again! We find options, we find a new way of thinking, we find comfort, we find answers, and we find a sense of peace within reach.

We cannot let something that is not in our control, control “our way”. No matter what, “our way” is, it will remain that way. “Our Way”, is what we own, it is also, “our why” in life. When you know “why” you are passionate about something in your life, then that becomes your way! You will never lose “your way”; it is always with you.

The next time you feel as though you have lost your way, just take a moment and breathe, sit in silence and remind yourself, your way is always there. Find your grounding, find your center, find your clarity, it is within you as well. In that moment of silence, listen to your breath, listen to your heart telling you, “I’m here”.

With Good Vibes Only – Have You Lost Your Way?

Picture credit: Paul Hutton

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – Son of A “Bad Word”

Boy! Did that make me laugh!!

A couple weeks ago, it seemed no matter what I was listening too, whether it was on the radio, or on TV, I would hear the phrase, “son of a bad word”; I literally laughed out loud!

I thought to myself, finally a way of expressing ourselves without offending someone! It still packs a punch if you need to “get it out”, but at the same time shows class and respect to those around you, who may be easily offended.

I also thought to myself, “guess someone has run out of swear words”; regardless I thought it was great!

We have all been there, where we needed to let a good ol’ swear come flying out of our mouths! We are all guilty of letting one slip! I will be honest, I am guilty of having let a good one rip, every now and then; part of being human!

The more I thought about it, the more I thought how by saying, “son of a bad word”, would actually smooth things over between two parties, if someone was actually calling someone else the alternate (SOB).

Picture it: Two individuals are not so happy with each other, and then one of them says, “boy, you are such a son of a bad word!” Can you just see the look on the other person’s face? Kind of like a dog who looks confused! 😂😂😂 They would probably forget, at that very moment, what they were arguing about!

The next time you feel the need to let someone have it, with not so nice words, give it a try! I bet before you know it, you both will be laughing and forgetting why your argument even warranted anger with bad words.

Just a thought, and certainly worth a try!

New World, New Way of Thinking, New Perspective!

With Good Vibes Only – Son Of A Bad Word!

The Good Vibes Only Roadshow – This Mama Dances! What Music Are You Listening Too?

In our household, we always have music on during the day; to be honest, lately, it has helped to pass the time with being at home full-time. Music has been our distraction, our stress reliever, and our exercise. We DANCE!!

When I wake up every morning, I can’t wait to put the music on! Generally, I start with some soothing Reiki music to start my morning off, while I am catching up on messages and having my first coffee. Breaks me in too the day, in a calming way.

Then it happens! I put on a little Good Vibes or Reggae and let the beat get a hold of my soul! In fact, as I’m typing this post, I am listening to Reggae Classics on Spotify; what a great selection of music.

Every single day, the music will differ; as we can’t forget the good old 80’s hair bands and their rock music. Now, I put on AC/DC, Queen, Poison, Def Leppard, and Aerosmith when I’m writing Fiction!

During all of this, I will dance and enjoy! I let the music help me to escape into a World where I’ve never been; it could be a World I will write about, but it is a World of pure bliss. I take my bliss and I will dance into the kitchen to cook dinner, I will take my bliss and sway back and forth while making my bed, and I will take my bliss and let all my creativity out!

It is like painting on a canvas for me, without the paint or the canvas. I feel the strokes of the paint brush touching the canvas in the beat of the music. I know I sound like a Free Spirit Hippie; I guess my true self comes out through music.

My question to you is this:

What music are you listening too? What music brings you to this blissful place? What song “can’t” you get out of your head? What music makes you dance?

We need to share 😀😀 we may be helping someone find the harmony in music and dance!

With Good Vibes Only – This Mama Dances! What Music Are You Listening Too?