Project Playlist - Traffic Jams!

Whether it is by car, cab, bus, or train…when we have somewhere to go we just want to get there with no delay! There are so many things we could choose to do on our daily commutes like actually enjoy a beverage instead of just gulping it down, have a light-hearted conversation, read a leisure book, write in a journal, or meditate. Yet most of us don’t even attempt to make our commutes more enjoyable. Efficient maybe, but enjoyable? Probably not.



Have you ever taken a moment to really look at the faces of the people around you during your daily commute? So many scowling faces, looks of boredom, and random acts of anger too!


How much time do you spend on your roundtrip daily commute? 30 minutes? An hour? Wouldn’t it be worth it to make the time more pleasant?


As for me, I drive to work. From time to time I’ve seen a few fellow drivers on the road having their own private concert in the car oblivious to the nearby onlookers who maybe snickering or looking at them like they are crazy. Secretly I’ve longed to be that person, and I think the right playlist may be just what I need to make it happen.


So, let’s create the ultimate Traffic Jams Playlist that will get us all grooving as we get to where we have to go! If you see my jamming in my car…HONK!

Here’s a song that I think should make the playlist….”whatcha know about this”?

~Living NeoSoul Style

Project Playlist ~ Morning Inspiration

I finally bought my iPod Touch, and to quote Conya Doss "I'll never be the same" (Blu Transition album).  Some people are movie or TV buffs, I like them too...but there is nothing like music.  In my lifestyle, music keeps me in a rhythmic flow whereas movie and TV have a tendency to draw me in and decrease my productivity.  Not music! My days are better when I wake up to it instead of listening to a depressing news story. Traffic is less stressful, work isn't as dull, housecleaning isn't such torture.  And less not forget how music enhances a romantic evening, a spades game, and cookout!

I'm so excited to get my playlists started! So, I'm starting Project Playlist!  Each week I'll be creating a new playlist and invite you to share music with me that should be added to the playlist.  To start things off, the first playlist is called Morning Insipration. This playlist is designed to get my morning off to a state of feeling blessed, calm, hopeful, and thankful for a new day. 

When I thought of this song, I immediately thought of  Fred Hammond's "Blessed".  This song is iconic!  Can't wait to see what your suggestions are!

~Living NeoSoul Style

My Life Rhythm: A Fresh Start

Ahhh....SPRING! The season of re-birth!  During this transitional season many of us do Spring cleaning in our homes, restart abandoned New Years resolutions to lose weight to get ready for summer wardrobes, and become more active with more hours of daylight finally awakening from the hibernation of Winter.

I love this time of year. It reminds me to create or re-ignite self care rituals in my life.  I have proclaimed this year as my breakthrough...focusing on health, wealth, and happiness.  To be more specific, I have decided to really work on the things to stop making repititive mistakes in my life. Some big, some small....either way as the grown folks say "I know better, so I should do better!"

I am a visionary. I THINK BIG! Yet, I realized that I need to bring things back to basics to experience my breakthrough. So, I'm keeping it simple...working one step at a time.

HEALTH Goal:  Lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes, and lose weight

1. Schedule doctor appointments for all annual exams AND FOLLOW UP ON THEIR INSTRUCTIONS
2. Exercise 4-5 times a week

WEALTH Goal:  Create a plan to maximize finances

1. Organize all financial documents
2. Use Quicken to plan financial portfolio

HAPPINESS Goal - Create Experiences!

1. Use Groupon to try new things
2. Take a week long destination vacation

Even while writing I am tempted to make this plan bigger, but I am going to resist. As I look at my goals again, I am assured that when I achieve them I will be very proud of myself...and the success will be a catalyst for the bigger pieces of my life vision.

~Living NeoSoul Style

April Reflections - Days 5-7

So during the last few days of the lifestyle experiment pretty much went like this...

1. Wake up
2. Sneeze
3. Cough
4. Take meds
5. Drink tea, water, or gingerale
6. Repeat

In between that cycle I sent a few emails, answered a couple calls, and picked up all of my used kleenex of the floor! Yuck!  Needless to say, my experiment didn't go as planned.  Yet I can say that during a few clear moments I was able to reflect on what was really important to me.  I thought about how many healthy days I haven't maximized to my potential. I can't get that time back....thankfully I BELIEVE that the best is yet to come.

Today, the day after the experiment I felt great! Still have a few symptoms...but I'm getting my groove back.  Oh and that reminds me....perhaps I had another Aha moment! I slept A LOT during my battle with the flu and I was amazed at how refreshed I felt now that I've almost fully recovered.  I think a part of me just needed to shut down for a little while too, my body was responding the stress I put it under. I realized that I often wait until I'm absolutely burnt out or things have gotten so chaotic before I take a break, and that's not healthy....its escapism.  And so I also decided to plan a vacation. I haven't taken a full week long destination vacation in years!  I'm so excited to plan my adventure!

Next, I will still work on the elements of the experiment, and of course along the way I'll be creating my NeoSoul Lifestyle!

April Reflections - Day 4

I am completely overcome by the flu!  My sleep lacks quality as the symptoms and thoughts of what I should be doing run through my head.  I've heard the saying before "you health is your wealth"...ain't that the truth. This time has refreshed my memory that I should do what I can when I can...nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, right?! I know I certainly didn't anticipate being sick. Yes indeed, we need to make the most of what we have in life.

~ Living NeoSoul Style

April Reflections - Day 3

Sunday...the day of rest and now REFLECTION too.  I've been off track with the flu, mostly sleeping and drinking gingerale :(  While being sick inside I watched a few movie (of course in between naps) and frankly a few of them made me sad. I realized the importance of creating the right environment for myself...as it can seriously affect my mood.  I'll be taking some more time to review my NeoSoul Lifestyle vision tonight.  Honestly, it makes me a little nervous....this is going to take some work! These simple changes are tough! Yet, its worth it to go through this process to create the life I envision.

April Reflections - Day 2

Its the weekend! I usually take this time to "get things back in order" because during the work my primary focus is work (I plan to change that too). I'm particularly looking forward to the FLOW component of the experiment!

To keep our energy flowing...here's a little inspirational clip from Will Smith:



NeoSoul Lifestyle Experience: April Experiment - Day 1 Reflections

NeoSoul Lifestyle Experience: April Experiment - Day 1 Reflections: "So today we begin our lifestyle experiment! Looking forward to share my reflections with you and I hope you'll do the same. Many of you know..."

April Experiment - Day 1 Reflections

So today we begin our lifestyle experiment! Looking forward to share my reflections with you and I hope you'll do the same. Many of you know that the evolution of my NeoSoul Lifestyle is about creative expression through travel, food, and MUSIC! Here's a little something to get you motivated....one of my favorites!