Dreams and Fear

I went to a spiritual retreat last weekend. A friend of mine conducts these several times a year and I try to go at least once a year. I don’t know why I don’t go more often, because I always come away from her gatherings feeling closer to God and believing in myself more than ever before.

I would like to share a poem that my friend passed out at this retreat. The poem is written by Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It’s our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I’ve had to read this so many times since the retreat. It seems that every time I do, one verse is more important to me than when I read it the time before.

How many times have we each dreamed of things we could do, only to never do them? Why is it that we dream it, we talk about it, but we don’t do it? I guess because there is some comfort in the familiar that we are afraid to go out on a limb.

But, until we all strive to be the best we can be, only then can we truly begin to inspire someone. When you are happy, truly happy, others see it. A smile can be one of the most infectious things I’ve ever encountered.

I believe that we’re each meant to become our best self. It is only then that we can influence others to attain their happiness. The ability is in each of us and we know it. For how many times have you yourself said “if she/he can do it, then so can I!!!”

Persevere in your dreams and in your path to happiness. You may touch someone without even trying to or realizing it.

This is why I think so many people have been influenced by Taylor Hicks—people he may not have met or may never even meet. I’ve heard so many stories of people who “came alive” because of Taylor. His music awakened something in all of us. He kept on and on in search of his dream—once he found it, his inspiration became boundless, touching and influencing one soul after another.

I hope you carry this thought with you and my wish for each of you is that you never give up on your dream!!! Who knows who all you each have the ability to inspire because you strive to be the best person you can!

Written by Leslie (Lmo4Taylor1)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

"It's All About the Music"..... Taylor Hicks

It's All About the Music.....

Words that have become synonymous with Taylor Hicks…

His music has brought us together …..His music has made us alive….

But what would life be without music? The world would
be a very quiet place. Music is in many ways the fabric of our
lives and the definition of society. It is a reminder of how things
once were, an indication of how things are, and a view of where
society is headed. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of
society. Music can be a way to deliver messages, a poetic
medium, a fine art, or nothing more than a source of
entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect
art and our lives would be that much less complete without it
that life as we know it would not at all be the same without
Music is the perfect art. It has movement, because it
progresses over a set period of time. All musical works have a
beginning and an end. However, music does not restrict the
audience in the way that movies or graphic art does. The
listener can create whatever image she or he wants to when
listening to music. It is an art that appeals to the conscious mind,
but the best music also appeals to the subconscious. Music has always been a part of
every culture, big or small. It has been there from the beginning of time and will be there
at the end. It has become a part of people and who they are. Some music represents
people and other music expresses people.
I’ve noticed that my generation judges and categorizes its peers by the music that they
listen to. Because music isn’t just something you listen to anymore, its who you are.
Thank you Taylor Hicks for showing us who You are with Your music! We are enjoying
the ride ….Make it do what it do.

“ Music is my passion that is going to carry me to the finish line” ~ Taylor Hicks.

Written by: Teri (cydter)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Listening for the Voice Within

I’ve often read about people’s experiences with hearing the voice within them and knowing that God had spoken to them. I wondered what it must have been like to take notice of the voice. At times I was either jealous or skeptical of what had happened.

Years ago I had several experiences where the room temperature would drop and I would hear my name called. I would look around the room but found no one there. My daughter was sound asleep in her bedroom, and I was all alone in my downstairs sewing room. After a number of times of this, I was growing weary and feeling a bit nervous at the same time. I didn’t know who or what I was hearing. I became brazen and told the voice to either show yourself or leave me alone. I was left alone.

As I grew older I realized I missed the voice. It had a message for me, but I didn’t get it. I didn’t know if I ever would. I often wondered how different my life would have been if I had been patient and waited to hear what the voice wanted to tell me.

During the years that followed, I sold the house and move to another state and a new home. The voice didn’t follow me. Did it know where I was? Would it ever find me? Did I really care? I later divorced and my daughter married and had her own family. I found a different church home from what I had grown up with and was feeling closer to God that ever before. And I as I thought my life was coming together, both of my parents died within a few weeks of the other.

As I worked through the estate settlement process, I began to feel a life that I hadn’t felt before. I was being ‘pulled’ in directions I didn’t know about but were peaceful. In the process I was beginning to find my life becoming more faith-based, including participating in a four-year Bible study (that I recently completed).

Then I heard the ‘voice’, the voice within, the voice that I knew was God. It was telling me to do something that I didn’t want to do. It was telling me that “I had to give it all away”. Now I’m practical person, very mathematical, very rational. My sister and I had just finished settling our parents’ estates, and I was now in a position where I could do a little traveling. And I was being told to give it all away.

I remember arguing – what about my daughter? My granddaughters? Was I not to have something left for them? Would I be able to enjoy what I had during my life, or was I to give it all up at once? What about my retirement? I’m not that far away from that time in my life. I heard it several times. Very distinct and clear. “You have to give it all away.” No options. No choices. No saying no.

After a few pleadings, I finally gave in. Whatever you want me to do, just tell me. I’ll do it. I can give it all away. What had I just agreed to do? I was stunned, shocked, and feeling a joyous peace at the same time. I was going to give it all away.

I returned to what I was doing. It was a moment of doing something so surprising even to me. I was at a concert – the 2006 American Idol Summer Tour. Somewhere between Mandisa and Ace. I had been overjoyed that I was attending this show and had said a thank you prayer for having the opportunity to be there. This was a show I had gone to on the spur of the moment and had never part of my summer tour plans. It was there that I accepted the new direction in my life. I later came to realize that being at this show was part of the plan and the first step in taking the new direction.

As the show continued, I began to allow children to stand in front of me to see the stage better. I had a front row seat. Right in front of the steps where Taylor Hicks would later go up to get on stage. I was holding up children to touch their favorite Idol. I was hiding them from the prying eyes of security. I was ‘adopting new grandchildren’, whatever it took to keep the children in front of me. Seeing this show had ceased to be for me. It became one of helping the children enjoy the experience.

After a while, the voice spoke again. This time I understood the message. It wasn’t about money. It was giving of myself, unselfishly, for others. I had ‘given it all away’. I was shocked! I now knew my true direction.

When a couple of us decided to help fans get Taylor Hicks HQ memberships, an idea was born. Several more joined our efforts. In time seven of us formed Taylor’s Angels. We soon added fulfilling ticket requests to our mission. We were doing something that helped other fans of Taylor Hicks help each other. We were fulfilling our mission and spreading Taylor Hicks’ music.

In the process, I realized I was giving myself to others. I had taken the time to listen for the voice within. I still hear it. Most of the times, I do what it tells me to do without question. I’ve had other arguments with it as to why I shouldn’t comply. In the end, I always do. The rewards have been far greater than the sacrifice.

How do I hear the voice within? Most of the time it comes when I least expect it. It’s usually a quiet time, not necessarily a prayer time. Just a time when the mind is at rest and the body is still. Maybe I’m driving. Maybe I’m in the shower. Maybe I’m just stilling at the computer. I listen. I do. And I’m at peace with it. I know that the voice is born out of faith. It is that same voice that drives me to do what is needed to accomplish the mission of Taylor’s Angels.

If you have had the experience, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, perhaps you’re either jealous or skeptical. Find some quiet time. Listen. Just quietly listen. Maybe you will hear the voice within you as well.

Written by Mandy (RagsQueen)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks’ Music: Reaching Out Across the Pond.

How does one define Taylor's music? He has conquered every genre, that he needs his OWN genre just for the type of music he sings. I have observed that Taylor Hicks is so passionate about his music and there is a great diversity to his song selections. So diverse, that Taylor Hicks is the only performer I know who can sing Dancing Queen, Do I Make You Proud, Badge and Let’s Get It On in one given night. He does it with his own style, with pure energy, and strong conviction. Everyone seems to love every minute that he is on stage performing his soul and heart out. But diversity is not only a description for Taylor’s music it is also an accurate description of his fan base not only here in the United States, but also abroad.

I know of a lot of people from different countries, with different racial backgrounds, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, sex and demographics who are “in tuned” with Taylor Hicks’ music and are big time fans. They are located in the Philippines , Hong Kong , Singapore , South Korea , Thailand , China , Japan , United Kingdom , Italy , Canada , Australia , Germany , Switzerland , Dubai and India . Taylor has reached out and touched the hearts and lives of these people through his passion and love for music. When he showed up during the American Idol competition. these fans were there, they have always been there. The only problem was, some of them thought that Taylor had disappeared after winning American Idol. If you can believe that! I can!

Well, WE are here to change that thinking. I, along with the others are going to dedicate our time, effort and money to keep Taylor “above the radar” for his international fans. We feel that many fans have been deprived of the music and passion that they had grown accustomed to when Taylor was on American Idol. Since then, they have longed for that same passion and music after he won. Frankly, some of these fans were not aware of Taylor's whereabouts, they feel that they are not well informed, and Taylor was not totally exposed. Lucky for us here in the United States that night after night, we had access to the cellcerts when he had a scheduled performance. We flew, caught a train, or drove to see him perform LIVE. We are also fortunate to have the forums to keep us abreast of Taylor's latest news, sightings and appearances. (Some of these sightings are considered truly invasive, but we all loved it, you know what I’m talking about!) Heck, we even have the access to the album, and most of these fans, don’t!

When Taylor ended his spring tour, many were left with more anticipation for his next concerts, tours and appearances. We can’t seem to get enough of this man, the performer, Mr. Energy himself. But for those who are not living in the U.S. , all they have are fan made videos, audio recordings, forums and the blogosphere to get their Taylor fixes. For now, they only rely on excellent writers who describe their experiences on the forums, or the video captures from the fans who unselfishly share snippets of videos on You Tube or Go Fish. Or the awesome resident photographers that we have on our forums who take the most magnificent photos of Taylor , (you know who you are!)

I can only imagine what kind of reception Taylor would get if these fans all over the world have direct access to him and his music like we do here in the U.S. Don’t get me wrong when I say access, I meant, the CDs, the LIVE concert performances. I can’t imagine a world without them experiencing Taylor Hicks in the flesh! Experiencing that energy, hearing that voice, watching those moves, woo!

As diverse as Taylor’s choice of music is, his fans are also very diverse in every sense of the word, and that's just the way we like it. But what does it take to get Taylor’s music reach across the pond?

Below are the testimonies by a selected few from all over the world who have experienced Taylor’s music through the gift of his current album. Take heed, they just love him. Can you blame them? There are no edits to these entries, but a little translation to English was necessary.

International Fan Testimonies:

Taylor has a very fantastic and fascinating voice, not in all that I've heard such voice. Except for Rod Stewart and Michael Bolton... Anyways, the variety and the style of music is so amazining... It's like listening to one CD and one perfomer, singer that is ( Taylor of course) but with different genres... I am helping my sister Claire in promoting this Taylor 's CD and have been contacting some of our local radio stations here in my locality, Cebu , Philippines ... No worries, positive things will happen here.. promise you that... I'll just send you mails of the updates here in my locale... Thanks for the CD, really enjoyed listening to it the whole day at my office...

Have a nice day!

Francisco Racaza
Cebu, Philippines

He sounds interesting to me! i'd be glad to help! I asked around and I heard that his music is being played by some high-end stations here in Cebu like Y101, Killer Bee and Monster Radio. I surfed the net and got to hear a few tracks, It sounds good and classy. My last station was a smooth jazz station and we would have definitely played his type of music. I'm gonna get in touch with some contacts and ask around, I haven't been into radio for quite some time now but i'm excited to do this type of thing again.

Jeremiah Cabrera
Former DJ at Killer Bee Cebu

I really, really loved Taylor Hicks music! 'Luv the guy, 'like his style!
I was betting for him during his American Idol stint. Too bad we couldn't cast a vote here in Singapore .

Nieves Caballero
Singapore

You need not promote Taylor here in Dubai , he is very well liked-but what the heck happnd to the guy? Thanks to you, I am able to listen to music of taylo’rs and loving every song.

Claude Peres
Dubai

I voted for him, but not on the phones, wish we were able to do it. But I rooted for him to win. I loved Just Once, he did a great job, no wonder he won. He is so unique and good looking. The CD is a mix of all the types of music I like. Thanks for bringing his music to Thailand .

Mary Grace Tionco
Thailand


Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol
hay Ate!! bkt tagaan ko nimo? wow! sos ate.. sa umpisa pa lang.. soul patrol soul patrol jud ko.. bisan sa umpisa pa lang ng interview nya. may feeling na ako. na magiging bf ko sya hahahaha! i mean na sya talga.. talaga buotan sa personal? wow.. wish to have cd of him jud with his signature and with my name written by him. lol..too much?! pwedi.. iloveyou ate!! mwah mwah! keep in touch!!

Translation to above testimony:

Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol
Oh Claire, do you think he can come here? Wow, from the very beginning, I was like Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol, I knew during his interview, I had a feeling that he was going to become my boyfriend, hahahahahah! I mean, it’s him, who would win. Is he good looking in person, and nice? Wow, I wished I had an autographed CD, and with my name written by him, LOL! Too much, is that possible? Tell him, I love you. Mwah, mwah. Keep in touch!


Haydee Arong
Manila, Philippines

I am so glad that you got to meet Taylor Hicks, he is the one I wanted to become when I grow up----hehehhehh! No, I love his CD, keep them coming, I have a few to give them to. Tell Taylor he is my hero----! vSoul Patroooolllll! We love him in the U.K. When is he coming hre??


Ramil Alonzo
Swindon, UK

Your enthusiasm for Taylor Hicks is so infectious, I knew then that he was a good singer but not quite the singer that he had become when he got groomed and polished as he performed every night on AMeican Idol. I was wondering about him, where did he go, but thank God for the internet and you, ( taylor addict..LOL) I have seen and heard him. But the CD, what a gem. The radio stations here need to hear this man, they played Di I Make you Proud here, but that was it. I heard another Idol here, Daughtry, but he sounds like the rest of them. Taylor is what is missing in our radio here Germany as well. Soul Patrol! Go Soul!

Cecile Castillo- Weineberg
Dresden, Germany

Final note:
If you know of anyone abroad who would like a copy of Taylor ’s CD and can’t afford it or has no access to it, please let us know. Just write to Taylors_angels@yahoo.com with your requests. The only thing we ask is: if they can help Taylor ’s music heard by requesting the songs from their local radio stations, and if they do not have the CD, we can provide that radio station a CD as well. If they can’t help us with requesting, comments and feedbacks of the CD are always appreciated.



Written by:
Claire
Webchic00

(Special thanks to Phil for the photo!)







Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels