ME! ME! ME! CX Museletter “Gifts of Suffering” ediccione

ME! ME! ME! The Cassendre Xavier Museletter

The “Gifts of Suffering” ediccione, as it were. (If you will.)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A) GREETINGS
1) GIFTS OF SUFFERING
2) ORDER STUFF! SEND DONATIONS! PLEASE! THANKS!
3) SOULMATE ATTRACTION FOR THE REST OF US
4) COME SEE ME IN CONCERT!
5) BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER
Z) FAREWELL BLESSING


A) GREETINGS
Hi, there, friends! I am very happy once again to be sharing my life with you via this writing. It is my hope that those of you who are on a similar path of art-making as life-living (okay, that was a strange turn of phrasing, but, hey, it’s late and I’m a quirky one anyway!), that this will help you somehow. If not, simply delete and move along, folks – there’s nothing to see here!
My life is all about gratitude these days. Ever since I read in a book by renowned psychic Linda Georgian that she gives thanks to her migraine headaches as they are happening, and the result is they are lessened and gone sooner, I have been on a gratitude mission even more than usual.
I am grateful for my first active library card in many years. I am addicted to the Mr. Monk novels by Lee Goldberg based on the popular TV series, and as soon as I’m done those, I intend to attack with equal vigor the Diagnosis Murder novels he writes, too. I am grateful for every cool summer day between heat waves, for the friendly dogs in my neighborhood, for the hay fever allergy-healing benefits of local honey made by my friendly neighborhood Amish-operated farmer’s market, I’m even grateful for the occasionally and partially effective drugstore purchases which attempt to bring me ease from the same ailment. I’m grateful for air conditioning and for www.FamilyRadio.com for keeping me company in the wee hours of the day and helping me aim my thoughts on high things, even though I’m not too keen on all their teachings, in particular the prophecies of a certain teacher there whose name needn’t be mentioned constantly, in my opinion.
I’m grateful for lots and lots of things, but time and space are a wastin’...
Most of all I’m grateful right now for your two eyes (at least I hope you have two, and if you don’t, I hope you’re grateful for what you do have and can see with)!

1) GIFTS OF SUFFERING
In my lifelong mission to turn my experiences into art that you, my readers and listeners, can use, part of my job as a performing singer songwriter has become highly challenging in recent weeks and this has caused some, um, “discomfort”, financial and otherwise, on my part. I wrote an essay about it, which will soon be published hither and yon, to, and fro. I thought you might like to read it here:

Gifts of Suffering by Cassendre Xavier

Nationally recognized personal growth coach, spiritual teacher, and New York Times bestselling author Iyanla Vanzant was once a regular feature of the television show “Starting Over”. I remember once watching when she was talking to a Starting Over household and cast member about how to deal with her past. The woman had been abused in her youth and seemed to have a difficult time embracing a more positive present and creating a better future for herself.
Iyanla coached her to talk about her abuse a little bit. Then, she looked deeply into the woman’s eyes, held her hands, and with great compassion said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry those terrible things happened to you. Is that what you want to hear?” The woman’s face quickly went from contorted in sadness and wet tears to straight, plain, and incredulous. She was listening, and maybe a little startled and embarrassed.

To read more, please visit http://tinyurl.com/CXGOS2011.


2) ORDER STUFF! SEND DONATIONS! PLEASE! THANKS!
Folks, I need your help to get through some particularly challenging times I’ve been having financially in recent weeks. I realize I need to be that blatant and bold (aka “clear and direct”) about asking for help, because that’s what strong people do – ask for help when they need it.
It’s not enough to just affirm my abundance as I do by donating regularly to others.
I donate to and share my resources with folks for three reasons: a) Out of gratitude for the monies I am regularly receiving in my daily performing work from folks who tip my services and buy CDs at performances and to keep the flow going. As I receive, so I also give to receive again, and so on... b) They ask. I get letters, Facebook posts, and more requesting donations from various sources for various reasons. The ones that get my quickest response are from actual realtime associates who happen to be in my Facebook network. For instance, one posted an urgent request for $2. Even though I was struggling myself and had only about $6 in my Paypal account, I right away, minutes after seeing her post, went to Paypal and sent $2 to her. I’ve also given much more here and there, and again, I do it because I receive so much from the universe, of which you are a very vital and appreciated part! c) We are all one. Because I recognize that, and because I receive, I also give, because it’s math. What goes up must come down, and what comes in must go out, or else it will be stagnant, and who wants that? Not me!
Anyway, it occurred to me that one of the reasons I’m having a hard time these days is because I haven’t been doing what my contemporaries do on a regular basis – hittin’ ya up for cash!
I’m supposed to remind you that I’m a full-time self-employed artist and that absolutely every single sale of my CDs, downloads, books, e-books, etc. goes directly to my day to day living costs.
It’s my job to make what I do so irresistible to you that you feel compelled to support my art/work, and therefore life, so I’m working on that.
Because right now I don’t have concert tickets to some cool ass venue, or a brand new CD (because I need to raise production costs first – oy vey!) I must do what I can.
I’ve been paying the bills by performing and selling CDs and chapbooks. I’ve also been receiving income from application/submission and ticket sales to events I produce. Needless to say these haven’t exactly been earth shatteringly high numbers, to say the least, but I am soooooo grateful that I have been able to do what I love (produce events, make art, write, publish my works, basically live a creative life and make a living from sharing my life experiences). Absolutely sooooo lucky and blessed!
It’s my job to make these things attractive to you, and it’s my honor to step up to the challenge.
For now, I am fully experiencing my feelings and putting them in writing, then sharing any lessons I’ve learned with my reading audience.
I intend to continue doing this over the next few weeks, and always include an order form and links of my available works for you to support or consider supporting, and forwarding to any of your writer friends.
I would so appreciate if you could either make a purchase every now and then or make a free will open donation to my Paypal account email address cxmusic(at)gmail.com. This is very simple to do. You just go to www.paypal.com, find the “Send Money” button, and send to: cxmusic(at)gmail.com (replace the “at” with @). Even if it’s just two bucks, trust me, it adds up and makes a difference.
I promise I will continue to be the best artist I can be, share my stories with others, and re-gift a portion of my own income to other performers and authors and artists doing similar work. As a former co-worker of mine used do say, “You know I love to do it!”

Ways you can financially support my art/work, and therefore, life:

CD Baby http://tinyurl.com/CXCDBaby
iTunes http://tinyurl.com/CXiTunes
Lulu http://tinyurl.com/CXatLulu
CX Direct http://cxdirect.eventbrite.com
CX Books & E-Books http://cxbooks.eventbrite.com
Paypal http://paypal.com “Send Money” to cxmusic(at)gmail.com (replace the “at” with “@)
Paper postal mail: Please send a US Postal Money Order payable to Cassendre Xavier, POB 30204, Philadelphia, PA 19103-8204


Lastly, I want to so, so, so, so, sooooo thank each and every one of you who regularly help me or have helped me in the past in various ways, financial and otherwise. I appreciate you all so very much. Yes, the tips and CD sales are paramount because my landlord and utility companies don’t accept smiles and hugs :-) but I also appreciate thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, blessings, visualizations, forwarding my emails to your friend(s), and even just your taking the time to read my work is a blessing which I appreciate. It is very often in my mind the time I watched Jill Scott being interviewed in a room of black women while she was getting her hair done. I was looking at her bright and smiling, talented face, and I knew, I just knew and could see and feel all the love and support that she had received not only from those women, but from the women who reared her and from her poetry community and her entire fan base and supporters in Philadelphia who held her up in their psychic arms. Whenever I am blessed in public by someone, I feel that same thing is happening to me, and that someday, people will say, “I used to see that girl playing in the subway.” You are one of those people and I thank you very, very much, not exactly in advance because it’s been happening for years and I have been witnessing the gradual effects of your well-wishes for me! Thanks, and right back atcha!


3) SOULMATE ATTRACTION FOR THE REST OF US

Soulmate Attraction for the Rest of Us by Cassendre Xavier

I’ve been really enjoying lately reading and listening to audio guided meditations of works about manifesting one’s ideal romantic partnership. The two best that I can recommend are the “Soulmate Secret” materials by Arielle Ford, which focus on “using the law of attraction to manifest the love of your life”, and “Attracting Your Soul Mate” a single guided meditation audio download by Sanaya Roman, who channels her spirit guide named Orin. In this single meditation, Orin teaches a powerful method to help you actually reach through space and time to communicate now with your ideal partner of the future. I find it a very peaceful meditation, and I sense that my communications are real and effective. (Complete audio course on “Attracting Your Soul Mate” also available.)
Arielle Ford has successfully used the law of attraction for decades to grow her business and develop a wonderful single life. When, in her 40s, she found herself still single, she decided to apply these laws to manifest the love of her life. Not long after that, at age 44 she met and married her husband of over 12 years, Brian Hilliard.

To continue reading the complete, unedited article and reader comments at Wisdom Magazine, visit http://tinyurl.com/CXsaftrou
To continue reading a very attractive edited version and reader comments at Inner Self Magazine, visit http://tinyurl.com/CXISsaftrou.


4) COME SEE ME IN CONCERT!
Thursday, June 16, 2011 7:00pm FREE! Elixr Coffee, 207 S. 15th St. (between Walnut & Locust) Philadelphia, PA 19102
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Monday, June 20, 2011 7pm-9pm $5
The Women's Writing & Spoken Word Series presents...
Laurie Pollack and Nikki Powerhouse
Hosted with live music by Cassendre Xavier
Includes Mixed-Gender Open Mic
Streams LIVE at www.MoonstoneArtsCenter.org! (Click "Watch Live")
Moonstone Arts Center, 110A S. 13th St. (at Sansom St.), Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-735-9598
The Women's Writing & Spoken Word Series (Est. 2002 at Robin's Bookstore) is a nurturing environment that celebrates women in the craft of multi-genre writing. For submissions information, our complete calendar, email list sign-up, and more, please visit http://www.WomensWritingSeries.org. SASE to: Women's Writing Series, PO Box 30204, Philadelphia, PA 19103-8204.

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Saturday, June 25, 2011 10:30am-12:30pm FREE
Lansdowne Farmer's Market
with David Falcone

Address and link coming soon!
Complete calendar at www.cassEndrExavier.com

5) BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER
Some little girls are born wanting to make humyn babies. Others have a different destiny and later learn to call their projects their “children”. The latest update about my main offspring, if you will, was released just yesterday. (As it were.) Read it at http://bwafphilly.org/news.html


Z) FAREWELL BLESSING
If you’re in Philadelphia, may you daftly manage the coming heat wave this week. It’s about to get hot as ass up in here! But, seriously, folks...

May you constantly find yourself increasing in self-love, and compassion for all living beings.
May you learn to accept that all of life contains painful moments, and that these challenges are necessary and helpful; no one will ever be completely satisfied with all of life. This realization will bring peace and most joy.
May you step by step surround yourself with people who “get” you and love you exactly as you are right now, not when you’ve improved your body or become more “actualized” in your mind.
May you never give up seeking the love your deepest, most innocent self has always known you deserve.
May children and animals like and want to be around you.
May each day bring you closer to your dream life, more peace, and more smiles, more health, and always, big, real LOVE.


Thank you for your continued support of my art/work, and therefore, life. I appreciate YOU!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier (aka Amethyste Rah, aka Amrita Waterfalls)
renaissance negresse & ARTrepreneur
(musician/writer/visual artist/actress)
http://cassEndrExavier.com

Founder & Director of Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival
(Thurs July 28th thru Sun July 31st, 2011) Accepting year-round submissions at http://BWAFphilly.org

Founder & Director of the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series (Est. 2002)
Accepting year-round submissions at http://WomensWritingSeries.org


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Number of times the word “ass” was used: 2. (I’ll do better next time!)



Last call for financial support: If any of the contents of this was helpful or inspiring to you in any way, please place an order at any of the links below, or donate to Payapal (also below). Thank you so very much and see you soon, hopefully! Oh, and please tell your friends!
Ways you can financially support my art/work, and thefore, life:

CD Baby http://tinyurl.com/CXCDBaby
iTunes http://tinyurl.com/CXiTunes
Lulu http://tinyurl.com/CXatLulu
CX Direct http://cxdirect.eventbrite.com
CX Books & E-Books http://cxbooks.eventbrite.com
Paypal http://paypal.com “Send Money” to cxmusic(at)gmail.com (replace the “at” with “@)
Paper postal mail: Please send a US postal money order payable to:
Cassendre Xavier, POB 30204, Philadelphia, PA 19103-8204



Copyright (c) 2011 by Cassendre Xavier. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint is granted provided the passage’s title, author, copyright info, credit, and URL http://www.cassEndrExavier.com are included. Thank you for sharing responsibly!


“You needn’t have a perfect life to have a moment of true appreciation of your life, and having those feelings as often as possible will help make your life more perfect. So, take a moment every day to appreciate and feel really good about all you have.” ~Cassendre Xavier

“Strong people ask for help when they need it.” ~Cassendre Xavier


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