All We Need Is Love

I witnessed a social interaction in a gas station on our way home from Iowa that saddened me and made me thankful all at once.

I do not know the circumstances in which the couple entered. But from my observation, a woman was being outwardly unkind to her boyfriend. He was embarrassed. He was simply pointing out that there were creamer selections for her coffee behind her in case she wanted them. She screamed at him for being "stupid" and said "Don't you listen to anything I say? I already told you I don't want anything in my F*!&#$% coffee." And with a dramatic and exasperated sigh, she stormed off. He looked distraught and at the end of his rope.

Again, I don't know what went on before they entered the gas station. But the snippet I saw was one person being unkind to another, and for no reason at all.

My heart went out to that poor frustrated man. No one deserves that. NO one does. Not in our most heated, worst conversations with one another. And ESPECIALLY not in the every day interactions with one another.

We all get our buttons pushed and overreact.

But if we can remember LOVE above all else. If we can love each other enough that we don't let our demons get to us and override common decency; if we can let our love for each other - brothers and sisters, spouses, friends, parents, strangers - overcome our tendency to speak before we think; if we can disagree without hatred... we can ALL make a difference and create a better world. It doesn't take much.

I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I think it's on repeat as a reminder for me. It was a small but powerful interaction. It made me SO thankful for my loving husband, my wonderful band, my incredible family, and my personal beliefs of faith, hope, and ultimate LOVE. I guess it started my "Thanksgiving" out a little early. And it has lead to some insightful conversations that still have me thinking. I wish I could say it all more poetically. And hopefully I will in my songs very soon.

"All we need is love" How true that is!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

My Heart Will Crack On

Long Day of driving... but it's the first time in a while we haven't been in a ridiculous hurry. We got to go to Cracker Barrel tonight which made me so happy!

We heard "My Heart Will Go On" today at lunch. I sang that song in high school assembly and totally cracked on the high note. I'll never forget that. I was SOOOOO nervous about that one note - I did it a million times on the drive up with no problem, but I had only gotten a couple hours sleep (I never slept in high school). Plus, singing it over and over probably wore my voice out before I even got to school! That was back before I really understood how the voice works.

I guess we all have to go through those moments. And even though it seemed like a huge deal to me then, NO ONE but me remembers that. I KNOW if I hadn't been so worried about it, it would have been fine. I had the ability, just not the confidence. Nerves can be a crazy thing. But even when they make your biggest fear come true, if you can overcome it, you'll be so much stronger. Cliche? Yes. I don't care. It's the truth.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

My Heart Is Full

My heart is so full right now. I am always speechless and overwhelmed when I read the blogs on Amazima.org

Katie, who started this ministry is younger than I and she is living in Africa running an orphanage and feeding the hungry. Her story is so inspiring and every time I read it, I realize that we have an immense capacity to change the world. Sometimes it feels overwhelming and doesn't seem like "there is much that I can do" But when I read Katie's story, I am so uplifted, and I know that there IS so much I can do.

I know that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now. I am working as hard as I possibly can to achieve my dreams. And though I am swamped and enveloped in my own personal journey, I know I am soon coming to a place where I can do so much MORE. I can't wait for that time. I get nervous excitement in my belly when I think of all that is coming.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for coming to shows. Thank you for listening. Together, we're gonna spread a whole lotta peace, love, and fiddle.

~natalie