This poem has always been my favorite. It’s also my mom’s favorite poem. And it was her father’s too. I think that’s as far back as it goes.

This idea is SO IMPORTANT. For me, it’s all about self-liberation and appreciating everything you have.

Let me know what you get out of this!

Hear me read this gorgeous work on the Self-Help Songwriter Podcast if you REALLY want to feel it in your bones.

MY MIND TO ME A KINGDOM IS

by Sir Edward Dyer

MY mind to me a kingdom is;

Such present joys therein I find,

That it excels all other bliss

That earth affords or grows by kind:

Though much I want that most would have,

Yet still my mind forbids to crave.

No princely pomp, no wealthy store,

No force to win the victory,

No wily wit to salve a sore,

No shape to feed a loving eye;

To none of these I yield as thrall;

For why? my mind doth serve for all.

I see how plenty surfeits oft,

And hasty climbers soon do fall;

I see that those which are aloft

Mishap doth threaten most of all:

They get with toil, they keep with fear:

Such cares my mind could never bear.

Content I live, this is my stay;

I seek no more than may suffice;

I press to bear no haughty sway;

Look, what I lack my mind supplies.

Lo, thus I triumph like a king,

Content with that my mind doth bring.

Some have too much, yet still do crave;

I little have, and seek no more.

They are but poor, though much they have,

And I am rich with little store;

They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;

They lack, I leave; they pine, I live.

I laugh not at another’s loss,

I grudge not at another’s gain;

No worldly waves my mind can toss;

My state at one doth still remain:

I fear no foe, I fawn no friend; 35

I loathe not life, nor dread my end.

Some weigh their pleasure by their lust,

Their wisdom by their rage of will;

Their treasure is their only trust,

A cloakèd craft their store of skill;

But all the pleasure that I find

Is to maintain a quiet mind.

My wealth is health and perfect ease,

My conscience clear my chief defence;

I neither seek by bribes to please,

Nor by deceit to breed offence:

Thus do I live; thus will I die;

Would all did so as well as I!

I always have a WONDERFUL time playing concerts, in real life especially, but also on zoom.

It’s such a pure connection.

I love being in the audience at concerts too, two sides of the same coin. There’s a magical energy, a potent presence that happens when people listen to music someone is making for them.

To share a song I wrote is to share a chapter of my life and all the lessons I learned, how I felt, and what it means. It’s more than just information, it’s the feeling.

I open a portal into my own heart and shine the light onto whoever’s heart is open to receive it. It’s fucking M A G I C A L.

One of the things that makes it magical is also one of the things that stops people from looking for magic — the RISK. It’s so risky to open your heart for everyone to potentially judge and reject.

What kind of psycho wouldn’t protect the precious gift (song) they’re given? It’s not about that though — in this case fear is an ego game.

The soul who made the art KNOWS that happiness shared is happiness exponentially multiplied. Your beautiful, radiant, loving soul wants to share the joy it found! In a way, that’s what art is. I think that’s what it should be anyway ;)

So, yes, I always have a wonderful time. BUT- I also always - literally A L W A Y S - mess up. Every single show I mess something up. I play a wrong chord, I say a word weird, or I forget the words all together… There are SO many potential mistakes to be made when you’re bearing your soul.

And so what?

Let’s just decide to accept the TRUTH:

Mistakes are badges of HONOR.

If you’re doing everything perfectly then you’re not challenging yourself. That’s so boring!

What is the point of that? You’re not doing anyone any favors by playing small.

Every time you’re brave, you lift us all up!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

My Mind is a Freaking Kingdom

Mistakes are badges of honor