OK, Jim. I’m not a musician. I’m a photographer and a teacher. But you have so accurately described the passage I’ve been in after wildfire took everything I ever owned and all my work and I lost my mind. Or what I thought was my mind. Somehow the universe gave me a new space to live last fall and I’ve been in the same kind of metamorphosis here that you have so clearly described you’ve been in in your new studio. I’m weeping as I’ve been reading your words because I’ve just been in the process - completely unable to describe it. I’m so grateful to hear your report. So clear, so raw, so truthful. I’m glad for you. And now, reading your report, I’m going to be even more glad for me because it shows me I’m not crazy… It’s a thing, what’s happening. It’s the Mystery inhabiting our undefended hearts. Hallelujah.
"It’s the Mystery inhabiting our undefended hearts."
What powerful words Meri - and how much you have been through. I can only marvel at the strength of spirit expressed in your words here - and which you've showed through your experience. I can't even muster to understand what it must be like to lose your home, and more so - in a wildfire. I hear your tears - and feel your Hallelujah.
I hope that wherever this reaches you - you are continuing to rebuild - outside too - as you clearly are inside.
Thank you for your brave story, its a privilege that you share it here - even if painful to read.
The final photo perfectly expresses the final point in this latest chapter (not using the over-used ‚j‘ word which is trumped out multiple times a day by so many but rather a literary analogy for the emotional,creative and learning processes you have experienced of late). Great choice! 📸👍🏼
You and your work have triumphed, whatever the commercial outcomes of your efforts are, through your persistence & sense of purpose which has pushed you through these periods of doubt and wonder. ✨
I am familiar with the feelings you describe, particularly as l get older and no longer have the inherent (kinda insane) self-belief that l did in my youth…..though with so much more life experience under my belt now it ought to be the other way around! But it isn’t and you just, even when you aren’t really feeling it, need to keep backing yourself because the alternative….not backing yourself is, at the end of the day, just giving up.
Thank you for these honest and insightful reflections. 🙏 Onwards & upwards Jamie! 😘
From the times I've met you I've felt something beyond self-belief, rather a deeper grounding in being. I think "self-belief" can waver - but what's under it feels powerful stuff in you - and walks before you.
As for me, I'm enjoying the process, and look forward to finishing and putting out the new songs sometime soon.
But even more so, want to be hear now, as much as I can be - because too much makes us future orientated these days.
That was my joy - and sometimes my pain - through the Isolation Diaries period.
Sending love, I'm off to Ireland to see my Dad - and looking forward for a weekend of too many Guinesses and catching up. Hope all well xx
Oh Jamie, thank you for your beautiful reply 🙏 and believe me, the mental image of you in Ireland sharing a few pints either your dear dad, puts a massive smile on my dial!😁 Cheers my dear!🍻😘
I‘m listening, I‘m learning. Your journey is stunning so far. Just saw the video of “dreaming of purpose“, which by the way starts every summer holidays for me, and then up to: “your gonna be someone“. I see your battles, these immensely breaking through walls and falling into bright light. But what we all can see is the constant energy and heart your work has. Nothing changed, and you might say: how dare you, I‘m not the same as back then. But thats not true. The boy, the young man, thats you. Still. Your innerself just added the Jim from today. And thats why don’t need to doubt yourself. You can’t loose what you always had and will have. So go on, the art will show when it’s ready. You won’t loose it!
Oh Daniela - how love you know the song! It seems to have been slowly finding its audience on YouTube - a real slow grower - or maybe they are all you haha!
That song means so much to me. It was on the album that was released on EMI - for a day - before Universal bought the label the next day and took it from the shops.
Your words in this post made me feel as "seen" as I ever have.
What a wonderful gift to give Daniela "You can’t loose what you always had and will have"
I'm so very thankful - always - for you reminding me of me.
Thank you Jim! Just realized that your like included a reply……… Your weekly thoughts and your crazy and mindblowing trip on youtube is so pure and open. And its so kind and a real help for a lot of us to hear your words. Which includes a lot of work... Back then in july I thought you were really not sure about you beeing creativ and needed to hear your own words back. Even though I‘m not knowing the real Jim. So forgive me when I went to far. About youtube; its growing!!! From me theres only 1 like for sure. And I‘d love to commenting every single video but I don’t think it’s necessary. Real art finds his audience.
OK, Jim. I’m not a musician. I’m a photographer and a teacher. But you have so accurately described the passage I’ve been in after wildfire took everything I ever owned and all my work and I lost my mind. Or what I thought was my mind. Somehow the universe gave me a new space to live last fall and I’ve been in the same kind of metamorphosis here that you have so clearly described you’ve been in in your new studio. I’m weeping as I’ve been reading your words because I’ve just been in the process - completely unable to describe it. I’m so grateful to hear your report. So clear, so raw, so truthful. I’m glad for you. And now, reading your report, I’m going to be even more glad for me because it shows me I’m not crazy… It’s a thing, what’s happening. It’s the Mystery inhabiting our undefended hearts. Hallelujah.
"It’s the Mystery inhabiting our undefended hearts."
What powerful words Meri - and how much you have been through. I can only marvel at the strength of spirit expressed in your words here - and which you've showed through your experience. I can't even muster to understand what it must be like to lose your home, and more so - in a wildfire. I hear your tears - and feel your Hallelujah.
I hope that wherever this reaches you - you are continuing to rebuild - outside too - as you clearly are inside.
Thank you for your brave story, its a privilege that you share it here - even if painful to read.
With you from afar, Jim
“No matter your journey, there will come a time when you have to go forward when belief has deserted you.”
Gold.
Thank you for quoting this back at me dear Meri - I needed to hear it at this point.
You support means very much, Jim
The final photo perfectly expresses the final point in this latest chapter (not using the over-used ‚j‘ word which is trumped out multiple times a day by so many but rather a literary analogy for the emotional,creative and learning processes you have experienced of late). Great choice! 📸👍🏼
You and your work have triumphed, whatever the commercial outcomes of your efforts are, through your persistence & sense of purpose which has pushed you through these periods of doubt and wonder. ✨
I am familiar with the feelings you describe, particularly as l get older and no longer have the inherent (kinda insane) self-belief that l did in my youth…..though with so much more life experience under my belt now it ought to be the other way around! But it isn’t and you just, even when you aren’t really feeling it, need to keep backing yourself because the alternative….not backing yourself is, at the end of the day, just giving up.
Thank you for these honest and insightful reflections. 🙏 Onwards & upwards Jamie! 😘
Dear Adele,
From the times I've met you I've felt something beyond self-belief, rather a deeper grounding in being. I think "self-belief" can waver - but what's under it feels powerful stuff in you - and walks before you.
As for me, I'm enjoying the process, and look forward to finishing and putting out the new songs sometime soon.
But even more so, want to be hear now, as much as I can be - because too much makes us future orientated these days.
That was my joy - and sometimes my pain - through the Isolation Diaries period.
Sending love, I'm off to Ireland to see my Dad - and looking forward for a weekend of too many Guinesses and catching up. Hope all well xx
Oh Jamie, thank you for your beautiful reply 🙏 and believe me, the mental image of you in Ireland sharing a few pints either your dear dad, puts a massive smile on my dial!😁 Cheers my dear!🍻😘
Dear Jim
I‘m listening, I‘m learning. Your journey is stunning so far. Just saw the video of “dreaming of purpose“, which by the way starts every summer holidays for me, and then up to: “your gonna be someone“. I see your battles, these immensely breaking through walls and falling into bright light. But what we all can see is the constant energy and heart your work has. Nothing changed, and you might say: how dare you, I‘m not the same as back then. But thats not true. The boy, the young man, thats you. Still. Your innerself just added the Jim from today. And thats why don’t need to doubt yourself. You can’t loose what you always had and will have. So go on, the art will show when it’s ready. You won’t loose it!
Oh Daniela - how love you know the song! It seems to have been slowly finding its audience on YouTube - a real slow grower - or maybe they are all you haha!
That song means so much to me. It was on the album that was released on EMI - for a day - before Universal bought the label the next day and took it from the shops.
Your words in this post made me feel as "seen" as I ever have.
What a wonderful gift to give Daniela "You can’t loose what you always had and will have"
I'm so very thankful - always - for you reminding me of me.
With love, Jim
Thank you Jim! Just realized that your like included a reply……… Your weekly thoughts and your crazy and mindblowing trip on youtube is so pure and open. And its so kind and a real help for a lot of us to hear your words. Which includes a lot of work... Back then in july I thought you were really not sure about you beeing creativ and needed to hear your own words back. Even though I‘m not knowing the real Jim. So forgive me when I went to far. About youtube; its growing!!! From me theres only 1 like for sure. And I‘d love to commenting every single video but I don’t think it’s necessary. Real art finds his audience.