I admit there are moments when the dreams or plans I’ve had seem to take a turn in a direction that I can see no purpose or point – and I get in a temporary funk. But it’s always come full circle and slowly I’ve learned to just be present with…whatever is happening. As long as I continue to do my best and be prayerfully minded I’ll understand it eventually and it will all work out perfectly.

If I’ve had any challenge with this series, it’s picking only one thing a day to be grateful for. A warm bed to sleep in and food to eat are two that so many of us take for granted. I thank God for these and so much more. Sometimes I like to sing myself to sleep with the words of Irving Berlins, Count Your Blessings – as he wrote, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings.”

Until tomorrow…

Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

So while we have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, it’s time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

You might be a redneck if:

• It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God’
• You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places
• You still say ‘Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival’
• You bow your head when someone prays
• You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem
• You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have
• You’ve never burned an American flag in protest, nor intend to
• You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening
• You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same
• You’d give your last dollar to a friend

BTW – My daddy’s family was most recently from Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma area while my mom’s was from Russia and the Ukraine so I get the cross culture concept

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

Sometimes when it seems that there is a firestorm all around God speaks in the still small voice and says; “Peace, be still” and I know that whatever is on the horizon will come out OK.

It reminds me of the story about the old Chinese emperor who wanted his artisans to create something so unique that it would always keep him centered. After many trials, a fine jeweler brought him a gold ring with nothing more than four words engraved around the inside of the ring.

At once he knew that this was what he had been looking for. When he was on the top of the mountain so proud in his accomplishments or in the valley of despair, one look and he would find a balance in his life.

All of this with these four simple words, “this too shall pass“.

May the wisdom of this saying be yours today.

In Harmony,
Kira

Today is Veteran’s Day so we remember those that have served our country in times of peace and war. As a former Marine I was blessed to have never been in any conflict…but many of my friends were not so fortunate.

Now the flip-side is that it’s “Day 3″ which reminded me of the freedom as a gift of personal sacrifice by one man and on the third day He returned and confirmed the fact that death had no power over Him. Christ came and set an example of peace. He preached a gospel of peace and love for our fellow man. The “law” that advocated a time for war was prior to his birth. I wonder what it will take for mankind to embrace the grace that has been imparted.

I am most grateful for the grace. It is because of that love, the mercy of a God who knows that I have one heck of an ego and sometimes get very full of myself – and still loves me while helping me to see the truth that I can close my eyes and night and rest. I would have a hard time sleeping at night otherwise.

There’s an incredible freedom in that knowledge – and I’m grateful for that too!

What is it that you’re grateful for today?

Kira

Here are just a few of the simple things that I tend to take for granted each day – I can see the beauty around me with my eyes, I can hear the music of life and laughter, I can feel the love of a friend or loved one with a simple touch of the hand, I can  think for myself and make my own choices / decisions, I can speak my mind and my heart without fear of recrimination, I can use my hands to create and my feet to take me to new destinations…and the list goes on.

So as you log on to your computer and read this message – just stop for a moment and think about all of the gifts that you have – spiritually, physically and financially that made all of this possible…then smile and share that freedom with a friend!

Make it a great day and I will see you tomorrow!

In harmony,
Kira

Last night my husband and I entered into a discussion over the Presidential Determination stating that the US will “…furnish assistance …in an amount not to exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund…to humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.” (You can read the complete text here http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog_post/relief_for_gaza/) A question had been posed, “Are we supporting terrorists?” in providing this assistance.

I found myself thinking about competition, taking a stand, being “right”, war, protection, and the list goes on. These ideas remained on my mind and my heart until I fell asleep working on updating my Blackberry software. When I woke the idea of “going first” came to mind and I share this with you…

You can listen to the poem here -

Going First

I can’t possibly go first I’ve been taught so well you see
If I drop my guard, you’ll take advantage of me

I can’t go first for that tiny spark of fear
Will ignite a blaze so strong, the hate will be all they hear

I can’t go first – what a silly, senseless thought
I’ve seen how it’s done and in your web I’ll soon be caught

If I go first in the name love and open up my heart
Will you share your heart with me – or will yet another battle start

If I go first and upon the ground, I lay down my arms
Will it all be in vain and the world still come to harm

If I go first and to my home invite you to enter in
Will you see to my demise and with my death declare you win

I must go first and starting now, relinquish all control
For I had none to begin with, you see love’s the only goal

I must go first and free of fear, open up my heart
For on that road to peace and love – I’m only doing a small part.

I must go first – for truth be told I’m not really the first you see
The foundation has long been laid – long before you and me…

I’ll go first and light the way for my heart has made its choice
I know you’ll walk beside me and we’ll hear each other’s voice

So first or last it matters not when the goal is clear for all
That peace and love may reign supreme as we hearken to the call

Kira Wagner 2/16/09

“A singers work is never done.” That is the first thing that comes to mind when asked to discuss the varying levels of proficiency for a singer.

To start with – the instrument itself is dynamic. It is always changing and affected by a number of items that, in and of themselves, are also dynamic. These include such factors as:

• Overall health
• Age
• Emotions
• Environment
• The performing ensemble (the ability to interact, connect with and trust the other performers and audience)
• Innate skills (God given – don’t know how or why they can do something)
• Acquired skills through practice and education

This dynamic state of flux is the single most noticeable attribute that wears any singer down. Our expectation is that that once we get a handle on a particular skill we can move on. We are finished with “that” and we don’t want to work on “it” any more. Nowhere is this more evidenced than in the breathing skills. Yet, each successive skill is built with an ever-increasing awareness of the breath, which connects us to our bodies, our sound and our music.

From Novice to Expert I believe that a singer tends to fall within one OR MORE of the “Four Stages of Competency”. The singer may move backward or forward based what is going on in their lives. For example, a woman during pregnancy may find that breathing while singing, takes on a completely new dimension, even though she had reached the point in her career where it required little thought due to her physical exercise routine during the “non-pregnant” state. Additional, recovering after any kind of vocal distress requires patience that the singer may or may not willingly accept.  

Moreover, the idea that just because I KNOW how something is to be done, I can immediately integrate it, has tripped more potential adult singers than any single perceived obstacle. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” In addition, contrary to the popular saying “practice makes perfect” any accomplished artist or sportsman knows that practice makes permanent, therefore perfect practice make perfect performance.

Being one to have a firsthand relationship with the saying, “God grant me patience, but hurry”, it has taken years to find that place where “now” is filled with “joy”. I have fought with myself to own the concept that the joy is in the journey, not the destination. As singers, we will always be in a state of growth or decay – we choose. As Kim Hulbert once pointed out, a state of perfection is only achieved when you are six feet under.

So let’s briefly examine the four stages before we look at the myriad of skills, either innate or learned, that one finds in an artist who uses their instrument as their brush and the universe as their canvas.

Starting with the first stage, we have “Unconscious Incompetence.” At this level, a Novice singer neither understands nor knows how to do something beyond singing the words and generally the right notes. Moreover, they are not even aware that they don’t know. In many cases, the Novice or Beginning singer will quickly move OUT of this stage in one or more skill area1 but still have the majority of skills fall within the stage. For example while many singers begin to get a handle on breathing as to move into stage two or even three, it will be sometime before they understand or even recognize Vocal Freedom (see skill areas below) . The preconceived idea of what is “good” or what the singer “should” sound like can take time to process – let alone recognize that they are trying to sing in a style that isn’t their true voice.

Moving on to the second stage of learning known as “Conscious Incompetence”, though the singer does not understand or know how to do something, the singer does recognize it, even though they cannot execute it. The Advanced Beginner is seen primarily in this stage. They may have a limited number of these areas beginning to emerge in the third stage of competence yet it is almost a toss of a coin as to the ability to execute any of the skill (see below).

In the third stage known as “Conscious Competence”, the singer understands or knows how to do most of the skills necessary for a wonderful performance. However, demonstrating the skill or the execution requires a great deal of focus or concentration. This is where you will find many of the “good” singers – very proficient but much presence of mind is required on their part. We can easily fall into the trap of “good enough” at this stage because we are having fun, the audience enjoys the performance and we probably don’t have to spend a lot of our time outside of rehearsal maintaining this level of competency to variying degrees.

During this third stage the singer may even have one remaining skill that is still at level one due to either a lack of ability to experience it, never having had the opportunity to be a part of it, a belief that it is beyond their capabilities OR a fundamental resistance to allowing it to happen. I believe it is this ability to experience a truly Artistic moment of delivery. This experience, more than any other, will encourage the singer to progress and seek to own the final level of competency in all of the skills.

Unconscious Competence is achieved when the singer has had so much practice with a skill that it becomes “second nature” and is performed easily and effortlessly. The singer may or may not be able teach it to others, depending upon how and when it was learned. Someone considered an “Expert” singer exhibits the first six skill areas, as noted below, at this level to a high degree of consistency. Again, the important thing to remember here is that the human instrument is dynamic. Therefore, the Expert singer will revisit all of the skill areas during rehearsal / practice sessions. A singer who really believes that their instrument is a gift from a higher power will continue to practice these skills so that the performance is free of any effort to control the sound thereby allowing them to stay in touch and in tune with their audience.

Finally, I believe that there is a level beyond “Expert” where the singer is truly an Artist. The Artist owns all of the six skill areas and is blessed when they are one with the seventh (see #7 below). This experience is a rarity; I believe this rarity is often because we are afraid to be laughed at, to make a mistake, yes even to fall on our face. We refuse to risk much – therefore our ability to experience much is elusive. It is important to remove all elements of doubt within any performance. Knowing that we can deliver (Conscious Competence) is only a single element of the Artistry, trusting that we have the ability to deliver (Unconscious Competence) is yet another key. However, it does not stop there. In an ensemble, there are other performers on the stage. This level of Artistry means that everyone trusts each other to deliver. That takes time, preparation and Belief. Or maybe—that’s where it all starts…

The following list is a short version of an ensemble singer’s skill area.

• Breath
  • Breath Space (the sound will never be any better than the breath space that precedes it)
    • Singing in this same space
    • Ability to take personal breaths during ensemble singing
      • Breathe…while lip-syncing a word
  • Ability to use varying types of Breaths (which may include)
    • Catch—Used for emotional impact only and not in places that require air
    • Quick—Used within passages which are increasing in tempo and always preceded by an increase in volume
    • Tempo—Used in both Uptunes and Ballads, this breath has a measured space and time to be taken…within the tempo of the song.
    • Slow—Also used for emphasis and emotional impact. The entire space between previous phrase and new phrase is used for breathing.
    • Delay—Usually used at emotional high point of song and/or for setting it apart from chorus or verse. This breath offers a definitive white space…then…breath is taken in tempo of next passage.
• Posture
  • Total connection from Head to Toes
    • Head / Neck soft and flexible – almost a liquid buoyant feel
    • Shoulders – relaxed and back
    • Rib Space – lifted and expanded / free and floating
    • Chest / Sternum – lifted
    • Back – tall and in line with the body (avoiding sway-back)
    • Abdomen – free to support the sound with lift
    • Flexibility and connection in the lower body parts (particularly soft flexible knees and foot posturing that enhances the sound not adds to the body tension
    • Presence and awareness of the facial posturing (keeping it alive, lifted and involved)
• Accuracy
  • Tonal Center (always aware of key or “do”)
  • Pitch – Notes – singing the note not “in the area of”
  • Clean Intervals
  • Tuned Chords
• Articulation
  • Appropriate, well-matched vowels and consonants that enhance (don’t interrupt) the flow of the tone / a Flowing Vocal Line
  • Singing Word Sounds
    • Consonants
      • Space and Treatment: some that deserve consideration
        • M
        • N
        • L
        • R
        • TH
        • K
        • NG
        • H
        • B
    • Vowels
      • Single Vowel Sounds
        • AH
        • EH
        • EE
        • OO
        • IH
        • EH
        • UH
        • Ǽ (hat)
        • IR
        • ER
        • AW
      • Diphthongs
        • I or eye à AH-ee
        • OH à OH-oo
        • A as in say à EH-ee
        • Other word examples include;
          • You à ee-OO
          • Yet à ee-EH
          • Wet à oo-EH
      • Triphthongs
        • Y à oo-AH-ee
      • A visual chart as well as audio examples of several of these can be seen / heard at http://www.paulmeier.com/ipa/diphthongs.html
• Resonation – Backspace/Ring is where the warmth of your sound is developed
  • The back of the mouth and the throat are the resonators that are soft tissue and absorb the highs in the sound. Incorporating more backspace can lead to an overly dark sound. We want a well-balanced sound with equal parts backspace and ring.
  • Ring is developed in those resonators with hard surfaces, they put the “ping” in the sound and that is where the overtone lives. These resonators magnify the highs in the sound but too much will bring about an abrasive, less than beautiful sound.
    • An appropriate amount of backspace and ring is the balance desired.
  • There are four areas of resonation available to the singer:
    • The area from the top of the larynx to the back of the mouth – Laryngopharynx
    • The back of the mouth – Oropharynx
    • The mouth
    • The nasal passages and sinus cavities – Nasopharynx

Vocal Energy and Freedom aided not distracted by:

• Preconceived ideas of:
  • Appropriate sound
  • Your OWN sound
• Tension in the body – to be used or released
• Muscle use – is it working for the sound or against it
• Emotional state – in a state of distress or not
• Focus – are we in the moment, hanging on to something previous or anticipating something coming
• Ebb and Flow of Delivery – the ability to move with the sound

• Artistic Delivery2
  • Having all of the previous skills to a great degree of competency, the singer is able to be one with the message in the music and take the listener on a journey. During this journey, the listener is able to suspend belief transporting the audience to another place and time.
  • The artist is able to open their heart, their soul, and let the audience see beyond the mask
  • The energy is fed and created by the interaction between the audience and the artist

A thank you to the many wonderful teachers whose wisdom may be recognized throughout this writing – you see – we are a conglomeration of those in whose paths we follow. Here is a list of the ones I can recall in random order – Dr. Eve-Anne Wilkes, Dale Syverson, Jim Casey, Bonita Wall, Peggy Gram, Charla Esser, Darlene Rogers, Shirley Kout, Kim Hulbert, Betty Clipman, Jim Arns, Ron Black, Bobbette Gantz, Connie Noble, Travis Rogers, Paul Drummond, Greg Lyne, Joe Lyles, Jan Gervais, Freddie King, Judy Ashmore, Tony DeRosa, Joni Bescos, Jack Barnard, and finally of the students I’ve had as a teacher with the Napa Valley Unified School District and Sweet Adelines.

When I look beyond my ego
I find a cause to sing
When I look around at the universe
I find joy in the tiniest thing
When I look within at the love I’ve known
I find the laughter that seems lost
When I look into your eyes my friend
I see a life worth any cost

by KPW

If we just take the time to open up, open our eyes, open our hearts and our lives we find there are miracles in every moment.

I just happened to be talking to my Chiropractor Dr. Alan Dubin about belief and how the smallest doubt can affect the outcome of a situation, when he mentioned that he had just started reading a new book. Our conversation led to my watching a lecture by Dr. Bruce Lipton. Presented in 2000 during a lecture to colleagues this video – over 2.5 hours – was amazing to watch.

If you have not had the pleasure of acquainting yourself with any of the works by Dr. Lipton – I assure you – you are in for a treat. In The Biology of Belief Dr. Lipton goes extensively into how your thoughts affect your genes (and you life isn’t about hereditary cause and effect). His extensive historical documentation, in-depth cellular research and  ability to communicate the information so that even someone who didn’t particularly care for biology in school could grasp the wide reaching effects of what he was saying was impressive – to say the least.

Check it out here: The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles

Yes – it’s a pretty amazing universe and we have much to be thankful for so in the USA or any other county in this wonderful world – make it a beautiful day!

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Love,
Kira

Looking more closely at this statement McCain is saying that Republicans were victims of some kind of corrupt conspiracy. They had no choice. They had no say. By his continued inference that the members of congress residing in federal prisons are there NOT because of their own choices but because of some evil plan that involved “earmarking and pork-barrel spending” we must assume that Republicans cannot think for themselves.

It appears that while he also said, “We’ve got to start also holding people accountable…” he does not realize that the two go hand in hand. I cannot be held accountable if I have no choice in the matter.

The truth is I always have a choice. I may not LIKE the options but I do have a choice.

McCain talks about continuing the fight overseas to “win” and bring back our troops in victory. That bringing them back now would mean defeat. To him, maybe so. The question is, “Did they go over and do what was asked of them INDIVIDUALLY?” If yes – then each and every one of our military personnel were a success in his or her own right. They did what they believed was right and just. There is no winning in war. There is only a temporary stopgap in the violence.

Senator McCain went on to slam Senator Obama for his stand on meeting other foreign powers without precondition. With all due respect to his age and his history, Senator McCain is either too old or too afraid of responsibility to see that humanity will only achieve a state of real peace when we let go of the need to defend ourselves and “make someone out to be the bad guy”. Whether we agree or not, everyone has a reason for their actions. Telling them their wrong or that they can’t do something because we said so, won’t promote good will, understanding or peace.

Senator McCain’s choices to:

• Fall back on military force to keep the peace
• Do away with the corruption in government without accepting that everyone involved chose to be where they are
• To promise to take care of the veterans and make sure our military on active duty overseas get to come home with a “victory” to their credit

These choices all demonstrate a lack of understanding.

They demonstrate a lack of understanding that the basic truths are:

• Force will not and never has kept “peace”
• Accountability will only (really) be achieved when we learn to hold ourselves accountable and not hope for someone else to do it for us
• Respect for our veterans will be in place as long as the American nation (government, media and individual) support each other for acting in accordance with their beliefs and their intent was for the good of humanity

As a registered Republican and a USMC Veteran – I’m glad I have a choice and a voice in this country. I’m glad that millions of Americans still believe they can make a difference.

Join me won’t you – speak up for what you believe in…today.

Kira Wagner

On September 21, 1981, the United Nations declared an International Day of Peace. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for this momentous occasion.

As a habit then, I believe that peace starts within, within our own hearts and souls. World peace will only be a reality when we find ourselves at peace individually. We can make this happen one moment at a time. I don’t know anyone that rides the Love Train 24/7 – 365 days a year, but we can begin the journey together and find ways to embrace the peace and love. 

One morning a few days ago, I woke with two tunes going through my head. One was a line from the song by John Lennon – “all we are saying is give peace a chance”. It repeated incessantly. It was overlaid by another tune and the following poem, which I wrote and share with you today –

I feel love in every day; I feel love in every way

I feel love deep in my heart, in every day there’s a brand new start.

I feel the peace flowing through my soul I feel the love that makes me whole

I feel peace I know I’m free I feel that peace deep inside of me

I feel peace of ages past; I feel that peace – I’m home at last

I feel the peace flowing through my soul I feel the love that makes me whole

I feel peace I know I’m free I feel that peace deep inside of me

I feel peace of ages past I feel that peace – I’m home at last 

I won’t kid you and say that I always feel this way. In fact, I’ve really begun to understand that the more I think I know, the further there is to go.

Nevertheless, it is a start and it is part of what allows me to know moments of total freedom. Something so ingrained that I know no one can take it from me. That if I “lose” it – it’s because I’ve chosen to give it up.

Thank you all for being part of my journey to freedom!

Love,

Kira