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Watching what’s happening to the world right now, I must admit I was feeling quite down lately, wondering what could be salvaged from such immense pain and suffering. 

I also wondered what I could possibly contribute that was positive. It all felt too big, too overwhelming, too messy, and even too scary. 

But then I remembered what I stood for. I remembered my core beliefs of love, compassion, light and inspiration. And I remembered that no matter how turbulent the world becomes, my core values remain unchangeable and immovable. 

And with that realisation, came immediate peace and courage. 

It also dawned on me, that this is an ‘opportunity’. An opportunity for change and for us to become even more human, more loving, more compassionate, more united, and more bonded with each other as fellow human beings. 

Yes, there may have to be pain and suffering that goes along with this opportunity, but that is also the beauty of our existence on this planet, our ability to connect with each other, listen to each other, heal each other and pull each other through tough times. 

My Grandmother believed (as in, actually believed) in Angels. Whenever there were bad things happening in the world or on TV and things got frightening. She would say, look for the angels, they’re always there. 

As a kid, I would feel disappointed, because I never saw the ‘angels’ she was talking about. I couldn’t see shining beings in the sky with wings flying around helping people. 

But my Grandmother was right. They were there. I was just looking in the wrong place. 

No matter how frightening things become there will always be someone helping another person, protecting another person or comforting another person with love. These are angels amongst us, on earth, in living form. 

So take heart, no matter how bad things seem to be, angels are among us.

You just have to know how to look for them. And then you’ll see them, everywhere. 

In difficult, challenging and frightening times…just remember to hold true to your core values.  

By doing so you will not only be steady, resolute and calm in yourself but you also become the solace, comfort, help and strength that others need. 

Mark

As you probably already know if you’ve been following me for a while, playing music is one of the things I love. 

But did you know I used to be ‘torn’ (often with pain and guilt) confused about who I was because of it? 

Musician 

I used to believe that to be a successful, credible musician, I had to focus only on creating and performing music, be true to my art and leave the stuffy business, and corporate world behind.  

The problem was – although I had lots of loyal, loving fans…I didn’t make a lot of money from my music alone. Just enough to get by and certainly not enough to live the kind of lifestyle I wanted. 

I also got a lot of pressure from my family who saw it as a dead-end profession with no security unless you made it really big (like I said, pressure!) 😅

Businessman 

So, I went down the corporate route, specialising in sales & marketing, and although my financial situation and professional status improved dramatically –  The more focused and successful I was in my job, my soul felt “sick”. 

Like a big emptiness was in my heart…and this hole kept getting wider and sadder…the less time I spent writing and playing music. I felt guilty – it was as if I had literally abandoned someone I loved. 

I thought that to be successful at either one of these, I had to give up the other. 

I spent many years feeling guilty, confused and sad about this – before I (finally)worked out that I was the sum total of the two; and that combining their best elements… would lead me to become the ‘best version’ of who I wanted to be – and also who I was meant to be. 

So, my message to you… is to enjoy your journey wherever you are in your life. Take the highs and the lows, the bitter and the sweet with equal gratitude. 

Very often even ‘pain’ can help us to find the right path by showing us things we need to learn about ourselves…things no one can teach us, and only time can reveal. 

Be willing, grateful and open to evolve, learn…and embrace change….especially when change is needed. 

Your ‘best self’ and the life of your dreams might be the result of a combination of things you have yet to discover about yourself. 

It’s never too late to learn.

 Mark