Getting Tunnel Vision
Getting Tunnel Vision
7 Things You Should Know: Liquid Love, Social Media, Sharing & Self Love, Black Music Month, Book Recommendations and more
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Hey! What’s Jazzin’?
Now that Mercury Retrograde is over, spring is well underway, and bringing with it loads of pollen, I’m feeling energized this month! Although the evenings are pleasant and in the 50s, I can’t believe I am truly missing the snow-dusted trees and the cooler weather.
This week’s update will fill you up and make up for the lost time. 😉 The format going forward will be a bit more organized. I’ll share a moment of awakening (in the form of a short story or blog post), an inside peek at what I’ve been up to (you know: stuff I won’t share with the “masses”, music or album recommendation and some books I think you should ingest.
Let’s dig in.
“Social Media, Sharing, and Self Love”
Have you ever made a huge change in your life, like signing up for a marathon, and felt the need to tell everyone? Suddenly, every conversation must begin with: "I did this…" If you have then you're not alone. Humans love announcing things, but there comes a time when it gets old.
You know that feeling when you accomplish something and you can't wait to tell everyone about it? You think about all the people in your life who might be happy for you and celebrate your success along with you or at least cheer you on from afar.
But what if that urge was gone? What if there was no more need to publicly announce your accomplishments? How would your life look then?
ACCEPTANCE
May was Mental Health Awareness Month and “Freddy Mercury Retrograde” did the most! Lemme say — it “hit different”. Let’s just say I got a wake-up call from The Universe.
NOTE TO SELF: You don't have to announce (or share) everything.
During one of my meditations this week, I came to the awareness that this is a type of self-love and maturity, and it's not something that happens overnight or comes naturally to everyone. But the next time I feel pressure to share something publically, I will remember that my most important relationships are probably best kept private—for my sake and theirs.
We've all been there—celebrating a promotion, feeling like we've finally made it. And when people ask us to tell them about it, we over-share. But is that really how I want to treat your accomplishments? Nah... I'm good.
I've definitely been guilty of falling into the trap of oversharing without thinking first: as someone who creates content to enlighten, educate, inform, and for a living. I'm constantly finding new things that excite me, or interesting ideas that bubble up in my mind. Yet not every thought needs to be shared in order for me to feel validated -- and sometimes not sharing a thought or idea lets me explore it more deeply in private.
Think about it: when you were younger and got frustrated because your parents wouldn't give you candy or ice cream for dinner, you may have said something like "Well, so-and-so's parents let them do it!" You were attempting to validate your demands by pointing out someone else who was being treated differently than you were. It was an attempt at manipulation.
In much the same way, growing adults who announce their accomplishments on social media seek validation from society. They're doing what we did as children—seeking validation for their demands about how the world should treat them.
ALIGNMENT
Self-love is the best kind of love — it gives you freedom. Freedom from the need to always be heard and seen. Freedom from the desire for applause. When you love yourself enough you are fine taking joy in your accomplishments and no one needs to know about it. I posted on both TikTok and Instagram sharing my observations (and displeasure) with having to post on social media for relevancy. It’s daunting, tedious and I’ve decided that I’ll be tapering WAY back. I’m getting tunnel vision as I write and address my health and fitness in the coming months.
Don’t worry, I’ll still be writing to you, my faithful readers and subscribers — -after all…
ANTICIPATION is delicious, and waiting is necessary.
7 Things You Should Know This Week
I.C.Y.M.I. - My newest single, “Liquid Love” was released worldwide on Friday, June 3rd! The reception has been great! The song has been the highest downloaded and streamed piece of music I’ve created to date!!! PLUS, the song was featured on a UK radio show days before its release! If you haven’t heard it? Go stream it, buy it from my online store and share it with your friends who love soul music. I have more planned for the song and some new tunes to accompany in the near future!
While I’m on the subject of music, and in celebration of Black Music Month, here top 7 albums you may have missed that are in heavy rotation in my earbuds:
“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar
“Marigold” by Alex Isley
“Heaven” by Anthony David & Algebra
“Here to Stay” by Kenny Lattimore
“Candydrip” by Lucky Daye
“Try&Remember” by Mayyadda
“LOVE QUANTUM” by Theo Croker(to be released on June 24th)
As you may have read in past newsletters, I’ve cranked out some new chapters, of Time Traveler’s Digest, which I largely attribute to my newfound energy. Here are four of this week’s must-read book recommendations (and a video, too!):
I finally purchased a condenser microphone as I prep my new podcasts. Since I’ve increased my own mindfulness practices, I’ve been receiving “downloads” to create affirmation videos to assist in the current global awakening. My goal is to produce at least 1 a month. There are now four available videos on my YouTube channel for your listening and viewing enjoyment.
Today, June 7th, I created a 7-minute affirmation video as part of a new “Elevation Affirmation Series”. Each month, I’ll feature a brand new meditation video produced and voiced by yours truly. Listen, relax and raise your vibration.
Spring Elevation Affirmations // Runtime 5 mins.
Positive Elevation Affirmations // Runtime 12:43 mins.
You are _______ - Be Encouraged! // Runtime 1:43
After recently devouring a dragon fruit, I stumbled across a neat brand and spent about an hour thumbing through timelapse videos of different fruits and vegetables being grown. Honestly, I cannot get enough of Boxlapse videos.
In the coming weeks, I’ll also be sharing some exciting news! I developed a gorgeous brand design (and website design) for a new decentralized social media app that will be launching VERY soon! Be on the lookout for it!
I also revamped my website and added links to all the Taste Test Radio mix shows I produced during the pandemic. Should I bring the tastiness back?
Photo of the Week
Well, that's all for this week — and that was a LOT! I appreciate you taking the time to read it all, and most of all, I am grateful for your continued support and patronage! The best way to support my work is to buy my music, hire me for digital content creation or voice-over work, or become a paid subscriber.
P.S. - My sister, Alana's GoFundMe campaign is close to 20% of the goal. Will you consider donating? If not, please share with someone who might be interested in helping her financially.
Be amazing and keep your frequencies HIGH!
Until then, See you next week!
Damien Lamar