One of my good friends recently said how there’s nothing more powerful than a woman who has been to hell and back. And I thought about that phrase, “to hell and back,” and how much its pertained to my own journey over the past few years…

Melissa

June 26, 2018

life

The Natural Falling Away of Things

Melissa

June 26, 2018

life

The Echium candicans, once vibrant and ultraviolet in spring, are now burned black by the hot sun at the start of summer…. they make me think about letting go of what is dead and dying… the natural falling away of things.

Melissa

April 30, 2018

life

In Defense of (a Healthy) Ego

Melissa

April 30, 2018

life

For far too long in my life, my SELF has felt suppressed, minimized, belittled, ignored, unacknowledged, unloved, unseen.

Melissa

March 19, 2018

life

I Was A Sick Child: On Transformation Through Music and Song

Melissa

March 19, 2018

life

I Was A Sick Child: On Transformation Through Music and Song

I don’t consider myself a “healer”... but I do know that I’ve been healed in some powerful ways by making music.

Melissa

February 20, 2018

life

Shyness Can’t Stop You

Melissa

February 20, 2018

life

While shyness, or being more reserved or quiet at times, can certainly be a strong (and perfectly fine/normal) personality trait, it doesn’t have to mean a life sentence of hiding nervously in the corner.

Melissa

January 16, 2018

life

Be Here Now: On Finding Presence and Purpose

Melissa

January 16, 2018

life

Be Here Now: On Finding Presence and Purpose

What does it mean to return to oneself? To find or “re-find” again one’s presence and purpose?

Melissa

December 13, 2017

life

Community as a Creative Process

Melissa

December 13, 2017

life

“She doesn’t know that she is part of creating something everywhere she goes. Just her presence and her participation in this room is a life-giving force.”

Melissa

December 5, 2017

life

Gray Area

Melissa

December 5, 2017

life

What to do when a gray area is a person? A feeling about someone you’re still sorting out.

Melissa

November 16, 2017

life

A Season for Leaving Part 2: Redemption and Dollywood

Melissa

November 16, 2017

life

A Season for Leaving Part 2: Redemption and Dollywood

I’d always enjoyed Dolly Parton’s music and persona as an entertainer growing up, but I became more obsessed with Dolly as a person when I happened to pick up her autobiography, Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, at a used bookstore...

Melissa

October 25, 2017

life

A Season for Leaving Part 1: Asheville's Fall Magic and Signs From Above

Melissa

October 25, 2017

life

A Season for Leaving Part 1: Asheville's Fall Magic and Signs From Above

I’ve been wondering why I was drawn to visit Asheville, NC, where I recently returned from a several nights' trip that also took me into Pigeon Forge, TN and the famed Dollywood amusement park...

Melissa

October 18, 2017

life

All Digital Music Proceeds This Month To Be Donated to Help Victims of Northern California Fires

Melissa

October 18, 2017

life

All Digital Music Proceeds This Month To Be Donated to Help Victims of Northern California Fires

If you'd like to help victims of the Northern California fires, I will be donating all proceeds this month of my digital music sales to the Northern California Fire Fund (operating through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation).