Destination is the Journey

Destination is The Journey

- Shawna Ray, original song written Oct 20, 2008

I seem to just wander all over the page

You say to go forward and put things in place

But I say this time spent in motion and dreams

Is creative direction and maybe it seems

We circle to get to the core

Until the journey takes me to the point

Where all of this meandering makes more sense

While I get there you will hear me sing

The destination is the journey

The winding of lines are all so intertwined

Look out at the rivers where streams meet in time

They push but still turn, avoiding the damn block

Still moving though slowly eroding the rock 

Life moves with intentions unseen

Until the journey takes me to the point

Where all of this meandering makes more sense

While I get there you will hear me sing

The destination is the journey

So you keep your straight lines and boxes for containing

I’ll keep my circles, emoji  is still smiley

You keep your type A for fixing and dictating

I am OK with Being me 

As the journey takes me to the point

Where all of this meandering makes more sense

While I get there you will hear me sing

the destination is…

(The Muppets) Near------ far ---

So near ------and far

 The destination

The whole fixation...

And seemingly aimless direction
In art and laughter
The now and the after
The raw fresh beauty 
In family and nature
This is a journey!
Please share it with me
Life is a journey!

Aftermath

Aftermath

Music in the Making by Shawna Ray, today 5/7/14

You might have liked the young and pretty me

So full of armor, light and energy

Choices were made and now I’m living

Consequences of a worn down dream  

There’s a new growing grass

Flowers bloom again

All is well, no regrets

What remains intact?

Unbroken, unharmed, unscathed, complete

Untouched, uncut, undefiled, indiscrete

Is a good, good heart

With a love to laugh

There’s a free bird soul

With an olive branch

Coming back from the aftermath

I'm coming back from the aftermath

Some lessons we must learn the hard way

So we can help another someday

Divided we can fall and ruminate

Still love that penetrates is worth the wait

There’s a new growing grass

Flowers bloom again

All is well, no regrets

What remains intact?

Unbroken, unharmed, unscathed, complete

Untouched, uncut, undefiled, indiscrete

Is a good, good heart

With a love to laugh

There’s a free bird soul

With an olive branch

Coming back from the aftermath

I'm coming back from the aftermath

There's some things beyond our control
I'm ready to finally let go

With a good, good heart

And a love to laugh

There’s a free bird soul

With an olive branch

Coming back from the aftermath

I'm coming back from the aftermath

Remember Me

It saddens me to hear stories of individuals who maybe unknowingly hurt or judge others they do not know or understand, while quoting Bible scriptures in the name of Jesus. These things are usually taken out of context on all sides to create hype or make someone feel right. It is because of this history that many individuals avoid the church and might not ever know what it feels like to receive unconditional love in the true Spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. I am sorry. Forgive those who know not what they do. Forgive me when I fail to understand. Forgive me when I mess up and lack patience and kindness. We all fall short sometimes.

Christmas card that my daughter
Kaiya made a few years ago

I hope you know that you are loved, as you are, wherever you are in your personal journey. In this love, I hope you will enjoy giving and receiving this holiday season. In this light, I want to share a song that came through me in December, 2011. This reflects my personal journey and faith walk, so I am thankful that I can share freely. Know that I embrace all people and get that we might have different beliefs and experiences. However you connect, I wish you love, joy and peace all year. I love you!

Live, Give, Love, Laugh and Learn,
Shawna

Remember Me
- by Shawna Ray 2011

In the busyness of shopping malls
In the stress that comes with making meals
In this season that is filled with frills
A baby cries off in the distance

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me

If acquiring things takes priority
Then the meaning here is unredeemed
There are people who are truly in need
Find your balance; give and receive

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me

Remember December
Hold the baby near
Remember December
Look for light all year
Remember December
Slow it down to hear

The stillness of Spirit
Calling you near

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me
Remember me

Interesting

I walked into the coffee shop
So over it I didn’t stop

To notice that the energy was shifting

Sipping chai I sat a while
Looked over captured by a smile

The rush was instantaneous feelings

You walked up with a book in hand
And asked if I had any plans

I said hello explaining I was writing

You asked if I had anything
That you could read, ironically

The book you had just finished I was reading
(Side note: I was reading The Fault in our Stars at the time)

Pour a cup of conversation

Finding you completely interesting

Sip into a sort of daydream

Like the way you say exactly what you’re thinking
“This is some delicious dialog”

Thank you for treating me 
You are interesting

I get so bored with simple minds
And you my friend are countertype

A killer grin inquiring, “What’s your story?”

“My story or the one I’m writing?”
“Either one is cool with me”

Your candor and your wit feel so inviting

I gotta go but here’s my number
Snow is falling in December

Three weeks later you are asking to personify

That day was an experience
As if you’d read my narrative

But fiction novels can’t compare to air supply

Pour a cup of conversation

Finding you completely interesting

Sip into a sort of daydream

Like the way you say exactly what you’re thinking

“This is some delicious dialog”

Thank you for treating me

With respect and a side of sensuality
A jolt of hope inspiring creativity
All I know is I am finding you completely
Interesting
Interesting

- by shawna ray

You Again

I keep waiting for you to make a move
You keep waiting for me to change my tune
All this time on my own I'm still not grown
Colors fade into grey, wrapped in blankets at home

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

You are still the one who can make me sing
When you strum it's sparking my chemistry
From afar I've learned how to get away
Now I think its time for me to rearrange

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

Wish I could be with you again
Am I crazy? Have we ever been?
I keep sensing lives that I missed
You keep right on, drawing me in
Again and again and again and again

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

-shawna ray, today 7/27/13

Catalyst

Why does there have to be only one way to be right???

Reinvention isn't for the
Ones who avoid intervention
Things that worked then had their reason
Outgrown systems need attention

Now is a new day
Change is upon us
Open your mind wide
Life is a catalyst

Time awaiting steps we're taking
Foresight, insight, rearranging
Moving in collaboration
Listening and re-engaging

Now is a new day
Change is upon us
Open your mind wide
Life is a catalyst

For dissipating greed and angry
Pockets holding change resisting
Anything remotely close to
Fears so deeply rooted in the
Programming that ran the thing back then..
Well this is Now- feel a new day
Hope is within us
Open your mind wide
Life is a catalyst

Old dogs learn new tricks
Good is the new rich
Learning to teach with
Hands on assertive
Creative compassion 
That flexes and forges
The way to a new day
Change is upon us
Open your heart wide
Life is a catalyst

By shawna ray, today 2/20/13
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Dig In

"If I step on your toes, maybe it's just because you refuse to dance." - Shawna Ray

This heavy load has been thrown in my lap
And a part of me laughs
Should've seen this coming
I still don't know what I should do next?
Throw my hands what the heck?
Well I'm not the one to give up like that!

Dig in, dig in
Do what I can
Dig in dig in
Look for the good
Dig in, dig in
Keep on moving
The road won't end
As long as you can turn
And wake up to see the sun rise again

With all this crap, there's a pony somewhere
I will find it I swear
Diamonds come from coal -right?
It might be rough but I'm finding my way
At the end of the day
I can hold my head up high and say I tried

Dig in, dig in
Do what I can
Dig in dig in
Look for the good
Dig in, dig in
Keep on moving
The road won't end
As long as you can turn
And wake up to see the lesson you learned

Lighten up
Lighten up
Lift it up and let the excess fall away
What you need will stay

Dig in, dig in
Do what you can
Dig in dig in
Look for the good
Dig in, dig in
Keep on moving
The road won't end
As long as you can turn
And wake up to see the sun rise again
See this mess start making sense
When the dust finally clears
And you get there it will be worth it

Dig in, dig in
Do what you can
Dig in dig in
Look for the good
Dig in, dig in
Keep on movin
Keep on living
Keep on laughing
Keep on looking for the Sun...

shawna ray, today 8/3/12
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Picture of Love (Mom) song Chords and soundtrack by Shawna Ray

Picture of Love (Mom)

Singer/Songwriter, Shawna Ray, Open album, ASCAP

Download song on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/open/id364506056 

Download instrumental soundtrack to sing it yourself:http://shawnaray.bandcamp.com/track/mom-instrumental

Make your own picture video: 

                 Bb                          Eb                         Bb                   Eb

Picture of love, you are my mother.  We have a special kind of bond.

                   Bb                                     Eb                   Gm                  Cm

You have a heart that cares no matter, so that I can feel at home.

                 Eb                           D                     Cm                  Am

You are the one who’ll sit and listen, with a helping hand to lend

        Eb                        D                           Ab                         F

And now, as we are growing, you’ve become one of my best friends.

                     Bb  F                  C         Eb

A picture of love, a pillar of strength,

Eb                       Bb     F                    Cm         Eb

With comforting warmth and beautiful grace;

                    Cm

Thank you Mom,

                F                       Ab

You have been there for me.

                 Bb                          Eb                         Bb                   Eb

Picture a smile, a lifelong teacher, cheering me to always try

              Bb                           Eb                      Gm                  Cm

You give hugs and won’t let go when you know I need to be held

                 Eb               D                     Cm                  Am

You don’t claim to be perfect, but you love your family.

             Eb                   D                                 Ab                          F

What a gift when you admitted you’ve been learning along with me.

                      Bb                     C    Eb

A picture of love, pillar of strength,

Eb                       Bb     F                    Cm         Eb

With comforting warmth and grace;

       Cm

Thank you Mom,

    F                       Ab

You have been there…

            G/C                 Bb                   Cm                 F/D

For time together with lots of laughter, over meals we talk, (and talk and talk)

            Eb                    Bb                   Cm                              F

Those memories I will always treasure even after you pass on...

            Gm                  F/A                       Ab                          Bb

Picture respect and gratitude; picture my arms wrapped around you;

             Gm                 F/A                  Eb                           Bb                                   

Picture a child saying, “I love you.  Thank you for being there”…

      Gm F

A picture of love,

                        Cm Eb

Pillar of strength,

Eb                       Bb     F                    Cm         Eb

With comforting warmth and beautiful grace;

                        Gm                  Am

I picture your wise, forgiving face,

                        Ab       Bb

Waiting and praying; full of faith.

                   G/C                      Am

Thank you Mom, you have been there

                        G/C                       Am

Thank you Mom, you’ve always been there

                        G/C                 Ab                       Bb

Thank you Mom, you have been my picture of love

Day One

DAY ONE

shawna ray

Yesterday went from bad to worse
The toilet clogged and the squad was called
Talked to my family, we played a game
Of touched you last with hurtful words

Am I hard to love or is it just
Enough is enough?
Do I self destruct? Or is it just
Some things need cooled off?
I'm sending out a dove to find new love

Starting from - day one
Day one

Seeing things more clearly now
The rain is gone, rainbow appears
On my own and steering clear of
People always speaking fears

Am I push and shove or is it just
that I'm not going down?
Do I suck at love? Or is it just
that I have learned the difference
I'm sending out a song to move along 

Starting from - day one
Day one

Where do I want to go from here?
What footprints do I leave and follow?
What if I have to part with
Friends and family I knew before?

Am I hard to like or is it just
that I want more in life?
Do I think I'm smart? Or is it just
that I've been playing stupid
Sending out the dove to find new love

Starting from - day one
Day one

Doing my best to overcome
Looking out at a great big ocean
Finding a way to build back up
All it takes is a mustard seed to move a mountain, move the mountain,

"Move that bus!"lol
Starting from - day one

Day one

As You Are

A recent conversation...
lyrics by shawna ray

"There will always be
a place for you in my arms."
No matter where you roam,
I hope that you know
I'll be waiting here
To love you as you are

Don't know if I can believe the word always
I've loved before and it hurt when that all changed
I sit and wait for "the one" who will get me
Around the ring in a fight with my feelings

Hear you say...

"There will always be 

a place for you in my arms."
No matter where you roam,
I hope that you know
I'll be waiting here 

To love you as you are

You want to help and be a true partner

Sometimes I see us letting love go there

Just understand it will be a slow roll up

You have been steady and wont give up on us

"There will always be 

a place for you in my arms."
No matter where you roam,
I hope that you know
I'll be waiting here 

To love you as you are

As you are someone that I love
Easy how you just make me laugh
As you are someone that I trust
But friend is all I have to give right now

"There will always be 

a place for you in my arms."
No matter where you roam,
I hope that you know
I'll be waiting here 

To love you as you are

As you are someone that I love

shawna ray today, 3/18/12
Can someone become "the one" or is "the one" not just someone?

If you have an answer to that question, email rhythmray@live.com

www.shawnaray.com

American

American
- shawna ray, today 1/27/12

Within the hush of night
This patriotic cry
Is rising with the wind
Where stars and stripes are woven
The differences are seen
As one in time we'll stand
I am still proud to be
An American

Whether you're left or right
Black, brown, yellow, white
Whether you're born and raised
Or you have found your place
Let's come together now
For we are free indeed
I am still proud to be
An American

We're moving forward
Not going down
This is our home land
On common ground
It's time to innovate
Renewing energy
I am still proud to be
An American

Whether you're left or right
Black, brown, yellow, white
Whether you're born and raised
Or you have found your place
Let's come together now
For we are free indeed
Yes I am proud to be
An American

To shrink government or deficits
The ego is a big culprit
That which you fight the most persists
Let's redirect and peace enlist

In God we trust!

Whether you're left or right
Black, brown, yellow, white
Whether you're born and raised
Or you have found your place
Let's come together now
For we are free indeed
I am still proud to be
Yes I am proud to be
I am still proud to be
An American
www.shawnaray.com

Bigger

"God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" Romans 11:29
We are all...
Just a little bitty piece of the bigger picture
Colorful indeed, welcome jagged edges
Forming like a mural or a stained glass window
Every little thing
is a part of something BIGGER
Icy rain tapping on my ceiling
Cannot sleep there's a call I'm hearing
What? Who me? Oh you must be joking
I am nothing and this is bad timing
Why would you use the weakness link?
Single mother with two kids to raise
Do my part is all you ask of me
So...How, why, and what exactly?
Just a little bitty piece of the bigger picture
Colorful indeed, welcome jagged edges
Forming like a mural or a stained glass window
Every little thing
is a part of something BIGGER
So OK...Have you seen me lately?
Out of shape and I cringe while aging
I was running at that pretty twenty
Dad was dying felt like you just left me
You say you were there waiting
Through the storm and through the rain
Faith grew strong while I was learning
Perseverance while becoming
Just a little bitty piece of the bigger picture
Colorful indeed, welcome jagged edges
Forming like a mural or a stained glass window
Every little thing
is a part of something BIGGER
Get this is bigger than me!
The other day my daddy came to me
In a dream and said baby just sing!
There's an audience you cannot see and God loves to hear you sing
All you need to be is...
Just a little bitty piece
of the bigger picture
Colorful indeed
welcome jagged edges
Forming like a mural or a
stained glass window
Every little thing
is a part of something BIGGER
God is so much bigger than me
You are bigger!
So much bigger than you think
God is bigger, so much bigger through every little thing...
Giving just a little bitty piece
shawna ray, today 1/21/12
www.shawnaray.com

Cool Teen

Met a girl who is an old soul
Even though she's half my age
Conversating about the world
All the things that don't make sense
She said when I walk down the halls
It's a good thing they don't
Hear me think...
I can be cool like you
Look at me hey I'm cool
I can be cool like you
When I want to
I can be wild and free
Look at me so crazy
Difference is way cool teens
Are not mean
Feel the energy in the waves
Kids are hating through the internet
Spreading gossip with potty mouth
Karma will come back around
Soul surfers out catching a ray
So glad you don't play that game
Stop and think...
I can be cool like you
Look at me hey I'm cool
I can be cool like you
When I want to
I can be wild and free
Look at me so crazy
Difference is way cool teens
Are not mean
I can be kind and wise
Give it up girls and guys
There is much more to life
Than what you look like
I can be rich with love
Listen up share the light
Beauty comes naturally
So why try to be somebody else?
You're a way cool teen
Happy and so set free
Rockin that cool just be
Who you are authentically
I'm lovin that way cool teen
You're a way cool teen
Stay that way cool teens
Don't be mean
www.shawnaray.com

Trying

I was running on pure emotion
Jump then look for a place to land
I was living on borrowed time then
So reactive, a nuclear plant
Now here I am
A portion of the problem
Here I am
Willing to find a solution
Empty and I'm broken
The inheritance is spent
Here I am
Still trying
I wake up in a state of wonder
What I should've done different?
Every time I come back to lessons
Life is learning you can't go back
So here I am
A portion of the problem
Here I am
Willing to find a solution
Empty and I'm broken
The inheritance is spent
Here I am
Still trying
People are fragile
So handle with care
Life is so fragile
So handle with prayer
To the here I Am
Owning my part in the problem
Here I am
Willing to find a solution
Awakened and I'm healing
The inheritance is present
Here I am
Still trying
And growing and loving and laughing
Here I am still trying
shawna ray, today 1/3/12
www.shawnaray.com

Calling

I feel there is something
That I'm suppose to do
Deep within my soul there is a calling
What if I never reach
For the phone that rings
Running to a need that I hear calling
But how and why and what will be?
Baby steps are getting me closer
To when and where will this thing lead?
Seeking I am finding out my calling
Its a small world after all
The lines start to connect
Seeing and I feel a sense of knowing
Presence so familiar
Some days I'm left on a cliff
I could fall or be prepared for flying
Ask how and why and what will be?
Baby steps are getting me closer
To when and where will this thing lead?
Seeking I am finding out my calling
That which wakes you up
And speaks within hush
It won't seem to go away
When you start to dream
It keeps you company
Compelling mystery
There is a calling
In how and why and what will be?
Baby steps are getting me closer
To when and where will this thing lead?
Seeking I am finding out my calling
Listening and hearing out my calling
Seek and you will find there is a calling
shawna ray, today 1/1/2012
www.shawnaray.com

To Be Continued...

This day may not all go as planned
Just get back up if you're knocked down
Surprises come but you can deal
The hand your dealt is not your seal
'Cuz every choice you have to make
Will steer your course and guide your fate
Your attitude determines who
Will be defeated. Don't let it defeat you!
Say this is my life and I'm the hero
In my story in my quest
To be my best and make a difference
Give more back than I take in
Lessons learned are never failures
Turn the page and start a new
There is more in each new chapter
Growing through - To be continued...
Ooooh To be continued...
So onward bound what have we here?
Another challenge ends the year
And with it brings reality
That happiness is what you make it
Look around at every gift
More valuable than any thing
Focus thoughts in gratefulness
And with renew let's hear you sing...
This is my life and I am the hero
In my story in my quest
To be my best and make a difference
Give more back than I take in
Lessons learned are never failures
Turn the page and start a new
There is more in each new chapter
Growing through - To be continued...
Ooooh To be continued...
Ooooh oooooooh ooooh
Ooooh oooooooh ooooh
Lessons learned are never failures
Turn the page and start a new
There is more in this new chapter
Growing through to be continued...
To be continued...
This is my life! I am the hero
In my story in my quest
To be my best and make a difference
Give more back than I take in
Lessons learned are never failures
Turn the page and start a new
There is more in this new chapter
Growing through to be continued...oooh
To be continued...oooh
To be continued...oooh
To be continued...
shawna ray, today 11/1/11
www.shawnaray.com

Fill It Up

My Daddy use to say "Adjust your attitude" and I'd pretend I had a tool to get inside my brain and change the view

I have heard it said "Its not what happens to you, its the way you handle it." So true if there's a will then there's a way

So you can't rain on my parade
Cuz I will look to find the rays
And you can't take away my peace
Because I choose what I receive
There will sometimes be those days When it seems the glass is empty
I say- fill it up, fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Come on man fill it up fill it up
Fill it up!

Edison they say tried many times and failed, but kept on trying till he found a way to bring the light we use today

Many people hate and try to bring me down but I'm not here to mess around and waste the good life that I bring my way

So you can't rain on my parade
Cuz I will look to find the rays
You can't take away my peace
Because I choose what I receive
There will sometimes be those days When it seems the glass is empty
I say- fill it up, fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Fill it up!

I've been down, don't get me wrong
But I don't choose to stay there long

Just fill it up, fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Fill it up!
I say- fill it up, fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Come on and fill it up fill it up
Fill it up!

shawna ray, today
www.shawnaray.com