Make Opportunities June 17, 2011

I am so excited! I found out recently that I got the role of Evillene in Afterthought Theatre’s production of “The Wiz”. What makes me so excited is that I went after the role with every intention of getting it. I auditioned by singing “No Bad News” I put on my best growling voice and mannerism. For 3 minutes I was Evillene! I got the role. What an opportunity!

I say that to encourage those who think that there aren’t many opportunities out there. I believe you just have to make your own. Don’t be locked into what you have always done. In the words of my friend Dr. Peggy, “Do Something Different For A Change”!

I haven’t always felt that way. I worked in the corporate world clocking out my 60+ hours as week, getting my salary plus commission. At first it was fun. I sold stuff. I made myself believe that this career move would satisfy the longing in my heart to be something else, to do something else. I mean, I had obligations! Children still at home, a husband who had just took early retirement. It was my duty; I had to take one for the team. After a while, I was miserable! I remember saying to God, “What am I doing here, this is not my life” I longed to be released, but I felt I couldn’t go. How could I go? I had obligations, bills, how would we live? God heard me. I got laid off. The shoe had dropped, now what! I felt panicked. Now everything I ever said about God being a provider and believing He had a plan, He had my back, was put to the test.

I had been working as a volunteer at my church in the Prophetic Arts Drama Department. We had done several plays and I so enjoyed the work. An opportunity came up for me to audition for other plays. When I got the first part I was surprised and thrilled. So I was acting, directing and started singing for private events. I felt so fulfilled. Eventually I will make money, because I am not giving up. But through it all God has provided in so many unexpected ways. It really is amazing.

The point is, at this time in my life I am living my dream, I’m doing what I have always loved doing. I am learning how to trust God, look for opportunities, and be ready to take advantage of them.

Work on and do the thing you love. Ask God and trust Him to direct your path.

Until tomorrow,
Blessings

Its always sunny in Denver! June 16, 2011

Have you ever had a waking dream? You know where you are doing stuff, it seems so real, but you are actually asleep? I have actually woken up during a waking dream and got really upset because I was sure what I was doing was real. Then I felt silly because I was in a different part of the house, or standing at the foot of my bed doing something that didn’t make sense.
It’s like how we walk through life sometimes. The life we are living seems so real, the choices we make, the relationships that we are in. We are in a waking dream. We are not living out our true humanity. We have chosen to mimic someone else’s life, or allowed ourselves to be programmed, manipulated, processed and assimilated. We are constantly being bombarded by images of so-called perfection, if we have the right car, house, and job. If we look a certain way, are the “right” weight, wrinkle free skin, no gray hair, or back fat, perfect teeth, and straight hair that our lives would be bliss.
A con is being run on us that the creator of the universe made a mistake when He made us. I am sure I remember reading that when God made man, He said, “It was good” Sure we want to be our best, keep our weigh down be healthy don’t eat too much and all that. Don’t buy into the lie that you are not beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. That is just a trick to keep you from living your life! If the enemy can keep you so focused on the external, you won’t groom and grow the internal. That part of you that is powerful, spiritual, connected to God and destined for great things.

Denver has over 300 sunny days a year! I’ve seen people get sunburn in the winter! That just blows my mind. Yet there are some who don’t see the sunshine because their spirit is so clouded with fear, guilt and doubt. Cause they bought into the con!

Look to the Son so you can see the sun. Allow its bright, clear warmth surround you. Live and Be the beautiful person you are meant to be…fearlessly!

Blogging and other stuff June 15, 2011

So I haven’t been blogging. Frankly, I didn’t think anyone was that interested in what I thought or what I was doing. I’ve changed the way I look at it. I mean, it’s like when you learn something new or have an experience you want to share. In this information age blogging is the way to get it done.

Welcome to the 21st century, right? Technology is such a big part of life today. It’s as much a part of our lives as breathing. I had a friend who misplaced her phone and was frantic because as she exclaimed, “my life is in that phone!” With that said, I am jumping in.
Artistically this has been a very good year. I have been singing, acting, directing…I am living my dream.
You know when you have those times when you evaluate your life and ask, what is it all for, whats my purpose? Recently I had one of those self talks. I am at the time in my life where there is starting to be more years behind me and I ask myself if the choices I made were right.

Now that my children are adults, did I do the right things raising them. I hope Lord that I did most of the time. I wanted to model a zest for life, honestly, spiritual roots and personal growth. I wanted them to see that they could be anything they wanted to be. That there is no time limit on dreams. And God only wants the best for them. Sure I blew it more than once, but my love for them is without any earthly equal.

I hope that as you and I share that we will find strength, hope and encouragement. That our words are lights that shine the way into someones heart and life.

Our best years are ahead, so lets go for it with all we’ve got!
Blessings & Peace, until Tomorrow…
Stephanie

2010 and Away We Go! January 12, 2010

Wow….It has been so long since I posted.      You ever have too many plates spinning and you are just managing to keep them from falling?   Well that has been my life in the past few months.  I directed a play, while still working on new releases for the CD, took on another special project and had some challenging personal issues as well.  I thank God for strength.  Its life.  What I am learning is that through it all, you have to remember that when things seem bigger than you are, call on the Father for help. Take time to rest, love on somebody else, take your mind off yourself. It’s not always an easy thing to do.  I have to pray because there is no life and truth in fear and doubt.

As this New Year is underway, I have determined to get organized, prioritize, get some sleep,  eat better, exercise regularly, speak lovingly, trust God, be open, FOCUS, remember why I am doing what I am doing, and most importantly, don’t give up on my dream.  I say the same to you dear reader.  Don’t give up on your dreams, keep pushing forward, ask for help.  Pray often, practice,  be ready for opportunities when they come along and make things happen when you can.  Look for blessings in 2010, the best is yet to come.

New ideas, new tunes…. September 14, 2009

So for the past couple days I’ve been working with Mike on  several tunes. A lot of what  I write about has something to say about love.  So, Mike wrote this peice of music and I started to write, then I felt like, I should just go in the booth and freestyle and see what came out.  Sometimes the best ideas come unscripted and unrehearsed.  It took us about 40 minutes or so to come up with a dozen or so ideas.  The cool thing is that there was a lot of good stuff to choose from.  I love when the creator flows like that.  Its like you are watching as He makes things happen.. With that said I am going to post  the tune on my FB Fanpage and my webpage later on this week.  I’d love to hear from you.  In the meantime, share, love someone extra today.  It will make you feel good too!

Blessings

Stephanie

Faith September 5, 2009

This past Sunday I went to CCF, my home church and got totally nourished by the praise and the Word today.  Faith.  We all need it!  I believe I have it, but sometimes I’m not sure if I am appling my faith accurately and correctly. I am just being real ya’ll.  There is a difference between having faith for what the Father plans for you and what you just want!   I am looking forward to the learnings in the next few week of teaching.  I am so excited in this time and space  and  where I am headed spiritually, because it colors how I respond and create , how I write and the way I share.  I feel something  that’s hard to describe, but its wonderful!  I know everyone has the power to use their faith and create a new reality for themselves.  It starts in the space between your ears and the beat of your heart.  Take time to awaken or re-awaken your faith.  What do you think.   Come on share with the class

Blessings

The Mile Hi City’s got great Talent! September 5, 2009

This evening, my husband and I went to an Art Exhibit, featuring  a friend of ours, Julie Hemingway.  She is a unique talent.  Her style of painting and use of color and texture is amazing.  She flows in color like I want to sing.  I look at her work and feel music in my soul!  She is certainly a talent to watch. She is about to blow up nationwide!  check her out at www.hemingwaystudios.com.

There are so many gifted and talent artists in the Mile Hi City.  One simply has to take a walk and visit the galleries on Sante Fe, or catch the Speak Out on Saturday night  and listen to young poets work their craft.  Walk up and down the 16th street mall and LoDo and you’ll hear all kinds of music from the bars and clubs and  the lively crowds of people enjoying the night life.

I am digging this town and I am so glad to call it my home.

Where did The Healing Vine come from? August 27, 2009

Someone asked me where the idea for “The Healing Vine” come from and how did I come to write it. I could say that one night I had an epiphany and the words and melody magically formed in my mind, but that would be fibbing….the truth is, Mike and I were in the studio working on a piece of music he was trying to develop. He played a part which became the chorus and it stuck.  It took us about and hour to complete the whole song.

When I write,  the ideas usually come out all at once and then I’ll go back and polish them up a bit.  I like the raw nature of an idea.  I find the first idea for me is usually the best one.  I like words in a song and when I listen to songs I tune into the words.  Yes the rhythm and melody are cool, but I zero in on the words, to see if they say anything, if they make sense, if they have a message. I like positive messages that bring happiness, hope and even joy.  There is so much bad news in the world, so many negative images .   I hope my songs lift your day.

P.S. Enjoy a sample of “The Healing Vine,”  the first single that I’ve released from my current project “The Journey’s Just Begun.” If you like it, go to http://www.stephanieyhancock.com to purchase and download a copy for your iPod!

I’m Blogging Now.. August 23, 2009

Hi there,

Thanks for visiting my blog. I am new at this so bare with me.  I know how important it is to communicate with those of you who may be interested in my music or other artistic endeavors I may engage in. I’m looking forward to sharing with you each step of the journey with my new project “The Journey’s Just Begun.”

We’ll be bringing you 15 songs over the next several months. Each will be released as a single because we believe that approach gives each song the ability to reach it’s widest intended audience.

I’m also interested in hearing what you would like me to blog about as well so don’t hesitate to give me ideas. Those of you who know me also know that I have never been at a loss for words that express how I might feel on a particular topic.

So hang in there with me as I get to bloggin!

Love You All,

Stephanie

P.S. In the meantime, press play below and enjoy a sample of “The Healing Vine,”  the first single that I’ve released from my current project “The Journey’s Just Begun.” If you like it, go to http://www.stephanieyhancock.com to purchase and download your copy!