A songwriting single Mom in the process of reinvention while working full time.
All rights withheld on original material, lyrics, and songs, under Rhythm Ray Inc. copyright. But please feel free to share.
Live, Give, Love, Laugh and Learn,
-shawna ray
- - Shawna Ray - Letter/Song to my daughter Kaiya (and my younger self)
There will be playas - who like it plastic
There will be pushers - that stuff is toxic
There will be haters - turn
off the bull-tish
You are a lover hope you
know you are worth it
That love that flows and fills you up
That laughter that is priceless
An equal to your clever wit
Just wait and know you are worth it
There will be bad boys who like to chase it
Some can be twisted - that
time is wasted
There will be one that gives
you a real kiss
You are a lover hope you
know you are worth it
That love that flows and fills you up
That laughter that is priceless
An equal to your clever wit
Just wait and know you are worth it
You can be a friend to
the one who needs fixed
It is fun to hang with the cool class clown
Choices can be life with the party people
Recognize a mind who
will work it out
That love that flows and fills you up
That laughter that is priceless
An equal to your clever wit
Just wait and know you are worth it
And one more thing about "the sex"
Love comes first, always protect
Building trust will take some time
Careful with this strong soul tie In love that flows and fills you up
This past year was challenging. I found myself out of a job and
struggling to find my place. My kids are now teens who are changing so fast. And I continue to have these reoccurring dreams and songs that wake me
up in the middle of the night and inspire me in moments. Like the time when I
had a vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saying “I have a dream THAT ONE DAY…”
It was 11/11/07 and I believed I was to be a part of a unity movement that
would bring people of hope and change together on 11-11-11. I wrote letters to
key leaders and bought the web address’ www.thatoneday (.com and .org). I have
made baby steps, but also feel completely inadequate to take any of this on.
When 11-11-11 came around, I was recovering from major surgery that ended up making matters worse and causing a lot of damage to my body. I was back to
work full time even though I was still in a lot of pain. I did take a few
hours on a limited budget to go to a studio and record a very quick version of the song
11:11. My friend Martin filmed it so we could post a video on 11-11-11 (see video below). It wasn’t
what I thought it would be, but it was something. I was working at a Poverty
Solutions Collaborative and was a part of a unifying movement at the
university, including facilitating Open Doors conversations founded by my friend Bowen Marshall. Martin and I also filmed health stories of individuals who were
homeless and living in poverty and I coordinated several events and conferences that empowered open thinking. I still believe it will all play a part
someday. But then the center funding was cut and we all lost our jobs. I now know what it feels like to have to file for welfare
so that my kids have insurance. I have been so disillusioned by systems and organizations
that claim to be raising money and working toward social causes that they
barely support. I know there are also some good programs doing amazing work and every step moves us forward. But I gotta be honest...There have been times when I have found myself completely frustrated and depleted by all of this.
Still, I know that I am connected to something much bigger and this
month I received another reminder. I had no idea how I would cover my rent two
weeks ago and then out of the blue I got a call from an entrepreneur wanting to
purchase the domain web address thatoneday. He offered the exact amount of money
that I had prayed for to cover the bills. His senior care business was not what
I thought would be on that website, but it is what it is. I still have
thatoneday.org to develop a website once I have the support to start a nonprofit
organization.
When I hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak or watch the Nelson
Mandela story and movies like The Butler and 12 Years a Slave recently, I am inspired
to …
1. Get over myself because I know very little of what it feels like to
truly struggle
2. Keep moving forward, doing what I can do peacefully
3. Be thankful for family, friends and all that is good in my life, as I seek and flow in
the abundance to come...
“I have a dream that one day
this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold
these truths to be self evident, that all men [and women] are created equal.’”
New song ideas...
Reoccurring Dreams
Seems like everything is falling down
Did we miss a step or throw ourselves?
Remembering all the dreams that never went away
Philosophies and the fortune teller saying I should wait
September never came
Or is it yet to be?
I’ve tried to play the game
But I cannot compete with a younger me
What does it mean? These reoccurring
dreams
Can’t go back and so I’ll start with now
Pour my heart and hope you’ll hear me out
There’s no regret this is life and we learn as we go
I'll pass the test and survive knowing what I know now
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
I posted these songs lyrics last year around Thanksgiving and want to share this again today with a reminder to spend more time with and less money on those we love this holiday season.
A friend from college texted today to say that she was mailing me some gifts. She lives twenty minutes away from me and we have not seen each other in a while. In fact, we really need to talk through a misunderstanding. It made me laugh that she would buy me things, but not actually make time to talk to me. I don't have a lot of money and don't want to feel guilty for not buying her anything. I described this as "surburbia syndrome" and that pissed her off even more. We live such different lives and maybe it is time to let this friendship go. I just see things differently and am not so good at faking it. I want to see my friends face to face and if someone is in need, I want to give them a hug and let them know that I love them.
Some people seem to hide so well behind their texts, emails and "things" that keep a safe distance. They want to feel better about themselves by keeping up with token gifts and cards. This keeps the card and gift manufacturers in business, but it honestly does very little to truly build and strengthen relationships in my opinion. I guess we all have different love languages. Quality time is what means the most to me. And I am just tired of faking it when I hear things that have been said behind my back. Don't send me a card or gift and think that we are friends. If that makes me the odd one out, then so be it. I want to know who my true friends are and invest my time and energy with them.
Life is short. Be present and make time for moments and memories in the now with those you truly love and respect this holiday season.
A student
and teacher favorite, Take a Trip to DIVERSE CITY welcomes you to a free state of heart and mind;
open to new and different people, places, and experiences. This rhyming picture
book encourages children of all ages to accept and celebrate one another while
welcoming cultural diversity. There is a message about Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.’s dream, discussion questions, and a letter to young authors in the back. A
portion of the proceeds goes to support unity initiatives.
This special B5 edition
includes a CD with national music group B5 (kids might know their song “Get
Your Head in the Game” from High School Musical) narrating the book and Shawna
Ray singing the book in song form with added B5 chorus.
Inspired
by a true story, this educational children’s book begins as some of the kids on
the playground in Same City will not let Jacob play because his skin color is
different than theirs. Zachary stands with his friend and invites the kids on
an imaginary trip to explore DiverseCity. They enjoy a
variety of savory meals at Spice of Life Cafe, and share in different ways of
creating with an array of colors and textures at the Art Spot.They hear different styles and moods of music
in the streets and talk about the importance of each individual. When the kids
return from their change in perspective, things are much more colorful and the
children are free to appreciate their differences and enjoy playing together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shawna
Ray is also a singer, songwriter, and mother of two students. She shares
her passion for unity and talks to kids and young adults about diversity and
resolving conflict in relationships with a full assembly presentation. Shawna
tells the true story about her son Zachary and his friend Jacob who inspired
her first book, encouraging young authors to follow through with their ideas.
Shawna has a degree in Public Relations from OtterbeinCollege and has previously worked in Outreach and Engagement at The Ohio State University and as an event coordinator and disability/diversity awareness trainer and program coordinator with
Goodwill Columbus and United Way
of Central Ohio. Shawna currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
ABOUT B5:AtlantaGeorgia is home to the 5 dynamic brothers known as B5 (Dustin,
Kelly, Patrick, Carnell and Bryan)! You've seen them on Disney, Nickelodeon,
MTV and BET; heard them on High School Musical, Hanna Montana and Disney!
Growing up multi-racial, (black and white mix), the brothers have lived
diversity! 'This is why we felt so passionate about participating with this
project, because it all starts with kids!' states Bryan. 'Success, knowledge and love have no
color! It's the way you think that makes the difference,' says Patrick. 'DiverseCity is 100% B5 Approved!
It lets kids know that we are all beautiful in our own way!'
Book Content:
Take
a Trip to Diverse City
Ó COPYRIGHT1/1/05 Shawna Ray
A Children’s
book
Dedicated to
Zachary & Jacob: May you always appreciate your differences and treasure
your friendship.
‘Twas a gray kind of day outside in Same City.
The school bell rang; recess was beginning.
Jacob and Zac tried to join the ballgame.
But some kids told Jacob that he couldn’t play.
For his skin was “brown” and theirs was “white,”
Zac stood by his friend knowing that was not right.
“Why?” he thought, “should it matter at all?”
Each child in the class had a difference he saw.
“They’re trippin!” said Jacob, and Zachary agreed.
“A trip – hey, let’s all go to DiverseCity!”
Some kids were afraid and chose not to go,
But adventure is fun and soon many followed
“Good food,” Zac said, “is the first thing we need.
Let’s walk down the street and get something to eat.”
At Same Café, the food can be dull
By adding some spice it becomes flavorful.
Let’s dine a place with savory meals.
We’ll enjoy all the various blends and appeals.
The aroma is sweet and the menu delights.
Everyone can find something they like.
Embrace all the tastes and the sounds and the smells.
New friends are welcome to dine and to tell
Stories and memories of journeys they’ve shared.
The table is open; acceptance is there.
Next stop is the art shop; the colors are vast.
You can paint every shade, be creative and laugh.
Mold the soft clay into balls and cool shapes.
Make a cup, a bowl or a tall flower vase.
We all have ideas that are new and exciting.
Let’s color together or sit alone writing.
Think of a story, imagine the scene.
It’s great to create when the mind is so free.
“Who wants to move on?” Zac said to his friends.
I hear a cool sound that is drawing us in
To the streets where live music is filling the air;
A bouncy drum beat and loud trumpets do blare.
A band plays aloud; music lifts like the moon.
Each different sound is forming a tune.
It then turns so gently as the melodies change
To a ballad sung sweetly, like soft falling rain.
“Each one is so wonderful, don’t you agree?”
Zac talked as he walked down Diverse City streets.
There are people at work, each with skills of their own
By joining together we get much more done.
“If all were the same, we’d be missing all this.
We need everyone to share their unique gift.
We learn from each other and life can be found
In all styles and flavors, new sights and new sounds.”
As they returned to the classroom later that day
The kids were different and everyone played.
There’s so much more fun in a place filled with color,
Where all are free to enjoy one another.
THE END, or maybe just the beginning of many more
adventures…
Perception is blinding, it's based on the past Resistance is fighting, the present in shift We are... Finding commonality in humanity and every living thing There's meaning and opportunity to open and up and see with new understanding Expanding, creating, we're serving the whole Still working and playing in a changing world We are... Finding commonality in humanity
Worth It
