Anthonyism
While on tour in the Northwest I stopped to do a private show for the Coffee Creek Maximum Security Woman's Penitentiary. The reason I was invited was the result of a music video I did years ago. To explain, I made this short video blog about what happened. I hope you enjoy.
Also, the original One Prayer video can still be viewed here or on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVLenp9qhnc
Thank you for listening and watching.
Flora from
Bagni di Lucca
This year my family decided to honor our mother by traveling to the little town in Italy where she was born. Our mother died over twenty years ago and we have missed her deeply yet these past two weeks mom has felt closer then ever in our hearts. We have shared more stories and reminisced over more memories of our childhood then we have in a long long time.
I love my family and even when our personality differences tug and rub the wrong way I know they love me too. Our mom would have enjoyed watching us be together as much as she would have enjoyed seeing her old village square. Most of all I believe she would have loved to know after all these years her children have remained connected, supportive and loving. That is the Momma's Day gift we have for Flora from Bagni di Lucca. At the end of mom's life I wrote a song for her called LOVING ARMS. You can listen to a sample of it at this link.
Happy Mother's Day to all of us,........ciao.
Sometimes the only way to proceed is to keep moving forward. I haven't decided yet if a GPS (Global Positioning System) is a friend or foe. Certainly it is an amazing technology yet like life, when you listen to someone else's directions, you could find yourself down a road you didn't intend to travel.
Driving through Tuscany we were looking for the home town of my grandfather and behold we found it, but not without its difficulties. The road in the picture was not constructed for vehicles, more like horse drawn carriages. But since backing down the hill was nearly impossible, the only option was to proceed forward with only an inch of space to spare on each side.
Fortunately we made it, and without a scratch, but the best part is now everyone in the van has a thrilling tale to share after we get home.
Life is full of tight spots to navigate and when they show up in life I try to remember the great lesson from one of my favorite movies, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Here it is....its all going to work out in the end, and if something is not worked out, its not the end.
Travel well and travel happy......ciao.
More pictures from our Italy trip.
My sisters Kathleen and Karen and I made it to the little town in Italy where Momma was born!
Back in Rome we were able to bust Karen out of the hospital where she spent two nights under the free care of the Italian medical system and although her three broken ribs will take time to heal, they said she will make a full recovery.
“I love who we are and how we are in the world and I believe much of that is because of what Mom demonstrated in her own life.”
Karen was eager to be outside so we took a long slow walk through the winding alleys and bridges of Rome enjoying the local food scene and thankful for our family being together again.
Our original plans included two days in Assisi but that was destined to change. Since we needed to extend our trip in Rome, our hotel reservations in Assisi were surprisingly CANCELLED. Needing to shift gears the only openings available were in a small town nearby called, Cortona. We booked the rooms and figured we would just have to make the drive to Assisi from there. Well, our unexpected treasure was an unforeseen magical old world village and a welcoming villa hotel which received us with open and loving arms.
Needless to say we skipped Assisi and were so happy we found this beautiful Shangri-La instead. We then ventured north to our intended final destination of Bagni di Lucca and reached the villa in the birth place of our Momma. Here are pictures of our adventures which I will continue to update until Mother's Day.
As I drive through the rich Tuscan countryside I feel grateful for the beauty I have seen in my travels. I believe the best places are where we feel welcomed and appreciated. Why else do people gather day after day in the same local hangouts? These gems exist only because caring people have worked very hard to create them and the beautiful surroundings assist us to feel connected to our heart and each other.
Our mother was one of those caring people and a gifted host for whenever guests showed up, her Italian Momma side turned on as well. You always had to have something to offer people and you never allowed company to leave hungry.
I must say that I appreciate Mom passing on those treasures to me, my brother and sisters. I love who we are and how we are in the world and I believe much of that is because of what Mom demonstrated in her own life.
ciao
I connected with a street musician in Cortona, Italy who invited me to sit in and jam with him on the amazing HANG DRUM.
Sister Karen in the Ambulance
In the hospital room
I love my sister
Life can change in an instant. My sister Karen found this out intimately on our grand visit to the Vatican where yes, she fell and broke three ribs.
So our pilgrimage adventure started out more adventurous than we had planned. We arrived in Rome excited and eager. It was a rainy day in Rome but we didn't let that bother us for we enjoy being together. I love that about my family how we can make the best of what is happening but our peace of mind was about to be tested.
The floor to the entrance of the Vatican including the restroom floors were wet and Karen found herself falling on that wet floor resulting in three broken ribs. The Vatican doctor was summoned and off to the hospital emergency room we go.
Being in a hospital emergency room in another country can be disorienting for information is what you desire and yet everyone is speaking in a language you do not understand. Oh how I wish I would have payed more attention to my grandparents and mother when they were speaking italian.
My sister will be fine but three broken ribs can be very uncomfortable while it is healing. I notice that while the rest of us are concern with Karen, Karen is concerned about us. She worries that she will negatively effect our trip and slow us down. We all have been there before, the people you care about only want the best for you. This is what love is.
This dramatic episode will only be an additional tale to this journey and the many stories we tell. We will do all we can to make Karen comfortable considering her sensitive ribs. Yes, life can change in an instant and it is a reminder which allows us to pause so we can truly experience each other and the special magic of Italy.
Ciao
I treasure moments where I stop and get off life's roll-a-coaster for a while. Not as easy as it sounds but it is always a welcome retreat and chance to think. My family is flying from several states and we meet in the majestic city of Rome which begins our journey to the birthplace of our mother.
Our pilgrimage to Italy with family is one of those moments to reconnect with each other and remember our beginnings growing up in an environment of love. Mom would be thrilled to know we will be together and visiting the little town where she was born, especially on Mother's Day. Mom had only few memories from her time in Bagni de Lucca but they were all full of wonder and even sounded magical.
She often spoke of a small bridge in the center of town where everyone would greet each other and you could see the Tuscan valley for miles. It was described as a simpler time when life was slower and people took time to stop and visit. Perhaps this added to her life her capacity to care.
One thing I love about my mother is her ability to care or love. I appreciate growing up in a loving home so much more now as an adult having witnessed in my travels so many children who are not so lucky.
As I meet with my sisters and brother in laws in Rome the excitement builds. I am grateful for the opportunity to take this journey and in tribute to Flora (Mom). Also I am very proud of us for setting aside the time.
Life brings with it a wealth of joy mixed with all levels of pain and even regret. I am sure this will be one of those good memories which will last a long while. As a young man I may have thought I could avoid regret if I simply chose a life path doing the things I loved most, like music. This certainly has brought enormous joy into my life but I realize, escaping the ebb and flow of life's unique dynamics (ups & downs) is missing the point and second guessing yourself is unavoidable. So smile when you can, travel well and remember, when life is good, say that it is good. You never know what is right around the corner.
ciao
Flora is my mothers first name. She died over twenty years ago and still her memory and influence is strong in my life. The picture is of her as a young woman showing off her sassy-side and it always makes me laugh which is what mom was very good at. I'm sure thats where I got my sense of humor.
Growing up we often heard stories of the beautiful little town in Italy where mom was born. It is called Bagni de Lucca, which means "baths of Lucca". It sits in the rolling hills hot springs countryside in magical Tuscany.
Italy is a must visit place at least once in your lifetime. There is a passion in this culture to absolutely taste all that life has to offer and a license to deeply feel whatever is thrown in your path.
Family of coarse was of huge importance in my Italian upbringing and mom was the central figure of our family. When she died from cancer much too early in her life, my sisters, brother and I where left with finding new ways to connect which didn't involved going to visit Mom. Taking this trip together to Mamas birth place is an exciting and fitting solution.
So as Mothers Day approaches I journey across the ocean with sisters Kathleen and Karen supported by their spouses and also with my sweetheart Noi. My brother Oman will join us on the next trip and we look forward to that.
We begin our Pilgrimage in Rome, with a visit to Assisi home of St. Francis and then venture north to Tuscany where our villa awaits in Bagni de Lucca. I am sure this adventure will be a mixture of new magnificent sites to see and seeing with new eyes, reminiscing of old times and engaging in frequent laughter and maybe even a few tears.
Consider yourself included on our pilgrimage and why not consider including your mother on your own pilgrimage. All (ka)Blog post from now until Mothers Day will be about the journey of the heart. I would be thrilled if you were along with us. Sharing this experience with you, who have also been like family to me is a privilege and a joy. I appreciate the time we have spent together and believe that time to be a precious value. All we have really is time as I am reminded by how James Taylor put it perfectly as he wrote...the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time. Well said James.
Thanks for your time...ciao,
Karl
With 21 days into the new year, can you recall the feeling you had as last year ended and you were ready and eager to put a sincere emphasis on the things which matter most? I am finding that life is way too effective at providing unnecessary distractions.
These distractions are the things which eat away at our time and are usually void of real importance and absolutely not the items on our list of dreams and goals. Too often I have put off the very things which will fulfill my life and be the source of what feeds my soul and my purpose for being.
As I approach another birthday, my wish will be to avoid those distractions more often so I can do what it is I am here to do. For me this is to share my music. For I have watched how one song opens wide the doors to new opportunities and allows me a chance to lift a heart or transform a community.
So, how is your year going so far? There is no time like the present and rather than just getting things done, be sure to include being enormously fulfilled. Yes, even put that on the top of your list. I am sure and know you deserve it.
I produced a song called India which was inspired on our India Mantra SEVA Trips. As I mentioned, songs open doors and next month I again will be taking over twenty people to experience India and be of service (SEVA) to several schools and an orphanage. This is our 5th annual trip and a wonderful example of what can happen when we lean towards our passion in life. Before you know it this year will be coming to an end. To ensure you don't get distracted, just look for the happiest item on your list.
Each day unfolds amazing adventures and in India that appears to happen moment to moment.
2014 India Mantra Trip
We are outside our hotel in Delhi practicing the song, BEAR HUG WARNING before we hop on the bus to go sing for the kids.
Ciao and namaste….
If you have read my blog posts last year you would know that today's theme is inspired by my dear friend Richard Levy. He was one who truly loved well and lived fully and as he prepared for his death in September, I witnessed him master the art of letting go.
Richard was a teacher who reminded us that the present moment was all there is and at the end of our life the only questions that mattered are, did I love well, did I live fully and did I learn to let go? His words ring in my ear like a song which opens the heart to new possibilities. The new year is simply just another moment in time but it also holds a unique energy where humanity visualizes on a collective agreement to begin again. A time to reset our intentions for our life. This is a powerful thing to do.
I remember a specific moment only a few days before Richard passed. He said to me that he would never have imagined that this was how his life was going to end. He then smiled and looked deep into my soul and said, "it really is all about now".
Having goals and a list of things you wish to achieve is fine as long as your resolution includes being fully available to your heart's desire. We wish for happiness and yet pursue all the daily distractions which keep it out of reach. Well, you have breath in your lungs and with that another moment to love well today.
I am able to live more fully today because of my good fortune of meeting Richard and his wife Maureen. Great friends are a wonderful gift. I encourage you to this year seek out those special people who you adore hanging out with and who absolutely adore hanging out with you. I have a feeling that this year is going to be your best year yet.
Maureen & Richard Levy
Namaste.....
