WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES ANYONE MAKE IN THIS WORLD? Have you ever truly noticed what a difference some people make in your life? I'm not talking about family or close friends, I'm talking about the so-called "stranger." I'm talking about the neighborhood florist, the grocery store clerk, and the art teacher who offers evening classes from his own little studio a few blocks from my home.

Last night as I turned off the main street and began the last section of my drive home, I found myself once again looking over my right shoulder at the lovely neighborhood florist stand. The owner, a young hispanic man, stood diligently working. He has the nicest selection of flowers year round. He is clearly one who passionately lives and loves each day. Although he doesn't speak much English, he does read minds very well. Several times I've stopped in for a quick arrangement, pointed at a flower, and watched him slide through the window of my subsconscious and never look back at me, only to create the vision that I had first approached him with. His energy is so calm, so reassuring, that he doesn't have to say a word and I experience a type of healing that is hard to describe. As I sat at the stoplight, just witnessing him, I noticed a tremendous wave of peaceful light radiating outward from his body in all directions. It not only penetrated my neighborhood, but crossed the park behind me and cascaded down the canyon into the sea.

Green light, turn right, and onward I drove three more blocks. There, at the corner of 32nd, I looked both directions for oncoming cars and made my way slowly into a left turn. As I cleared the final intersection, on the home stretch now, I looked into the windows of the community college ceramic studio owned by the young Asian man. He and I have never been introduced, I've not so much as taken a class from him either, and yet every time we get in proximity of one another, we look beyond the eyes into the soul and smile. It's as though we seek each other out like old friends to gift one another with this silent light's recognition. And, sure enough, he looks up just in time and our eyes meet, and as if in a mirror image, both our hands raise and wave. Again, I notice a tremendous wave of peaceful light and sound radiating outward in all directions from him, living his passion. I see the florist's energy waves combine with the teacher's, blanketing the region.

Two blocks up the street I make a quick stop at Myrtle Market for a couple of items. Inside, the owners, a gay school teacher who works as the evening clerk, and his partner of the last decade are repainting trim around the deli counter. Together they purchased the old rundown grocery about a year ago and have made an enormous improvement in our neighborhood as a result of "embarking on their dream." As the teacher recaps the events of the day, an amusing kindergarten class that he'd taught earlier, he begins to act out a highlight by singing and dancing for us. For just two minutes of being exposed to their presence, I realize the two of them combined have such a powerful effect on me. They are such bright stars in a midnight sky, and strangely enough I realize they have no idea of their beauty. They are merely living in the purity of their own love. They have harnessed their passion and every flower in the place sings of it.

And again, I notice a colossal wave of peaceful light and sound radiating outward in all directions from them. "My God," I think to myself, "I'm so thankful that these people live and love so close to my home. They may never know just how deeply they affect all of creation."

I hope you do.

Sound on,
Aven

AFTERGLOW
Sarah McLachlan

After a six-year break she's back! And I do believe that this album could not have come at a more appropriate time in our lives. Beyond the title cut, "Fallen," the album is not officially released to the public until November 4th. By the grace of heaven, I have some inside connections that passed a promo copy my way and I'm thrilled to report that this new album is precious treasure. Afterglow is a return to the strength of Sarah's earlier sound, which currently seems to be a running theme with several artists. In Sarah's case, it proves to be a wise decision and one that will make a deep impact in the recording industry. (You may sample some of the songs here).

In a recent interview Sarah said, "Afterglow is about love and loss. That's my truth. It's honest, and it brought me to a much happier place. I'm loving music again." Having been a fan of Sarah for the past decade, in just a single listen to her latest work, I'm sure most of you will agree with me that not only is this some of her best, but in many ways she has surpassed herself. Lyrically, musically, spiritually, she is audibly more alive, and more at peace than all her previous recordings. For those of you still waltzing around hypnotically listening to "In the Arms of the Angel" it's time to upgrade your experience. Step into now.

Recently I was asked to rate Afterglow from one to ten, and without missing a breath, I heard my mouth shout out an, "eleven!" Some artists inspire me to live all of life, equally, even the most challenging moments of pain and suffering. Sarah, thank you for igniting the fires of passion once again. Sound on!

 

 

MAYAN LANDING 2012
ThunderBeat

Wow. Slide this disc in and prepare for interstellar travel. The echo of deep space and time call upon a future ancient dance to accompany it. This feeling of touching the essence of divinity through the course of natural progression, combined with intense percussion backdrops, catapult one through an extrasensory experience. I absolutely loved it. There's a hollow quality within the structure of most every cut that I find allows me to experience an insulated space of safety, in the Mayan Landing 2012 dream. This recording will make for a great celebration under the eclipse, beginning November 8th. (You may sample some of the songs here).

ThunderBeat is Devara White, a Native American who now resides in Sedona. Although she is best known for her drumming, she's also an accomplished composer, teacher, and sound healer. She's been studying sound therapy since 1995, visiting the Great Pyramid, Hawaii, Mt. Sinai and the Mayan Temples for initiation. For over two decades she toured with national and international artists, such as Robert Mirabal, Gregg Braden, Steven Halpern, and Brooke Medicine Eagle, amongst others.

 

© 2003 Avenescent

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Avenescent Thomas is a masseur, reiki master, freelance artist and spiritual transformationalist native to southern California. He enjoys all forms of music, having grown up playing several instruments and singing for several musical groups. He loves working with people, photography, computers, glass, natural sculpture, exploring zen, non-dualism, and every fiber of nature. Prior to being a healer he was a social worker for the state of Washington providing Outreach services for those in need, and counseling for abused gay and lesbian teenagers through a state funded program called Odyssey. He can be contacted here and welcomes correspondence.

If you have an album that you would like to submit for musical review please feel free to contact Aven. Submissions do not need to be limited to the "New Age" category to be accepted. Great music bridges humanity, crossing all barriers. Please keep in mind that any CD submitted for review must be first listed at Amazon.Com. We apologize but submitted materials cannot be returned to you.