I began performing the heart of the “Peace Begins with You and Me” concerts when I was asked to perform at the University of Oklahoma after the bombing. Earlier that day, I visited the area that had been bombed and saw hundreds of teddy bears lined up on fences and words of “We’ll remember you forever.” It was disturbing beyond all words. As I stepped on the stage that same day, I was filled with emotions of anger, overwhelming sadness, self-doubt and confusion: “What do I have to offer that can make a difference?” “Why am I here, and who am I to be doing this? I am not a famous name.”
As I stood on the stage, a butterfly flew on my microphone and then on my shoulder. I looked at that butterfly as a message that I was meant to be there as ME, a perfectly imperfect human being-a person who has been blessed to have meaningful lyrics and music flow through me and into the hearts of all ages. That butterfly gave me the courage to move more fully forward in confidence that day, with the intention of inspiring people into a state of hope, love, healing and unity.
As I began to sing my “ONE PLANET, TOGETHER WE CAN LIVE” song, an idea spontaneously came to me. I asked everyone to come down from the bleachers and connect with one another while singing the chorus, and miraculously they did! I couldn’t believe it. All they needed was a facilitator-leader who gave them the motivation. Everyone came down-all religions, learning abilities, shades of colors, young and old alike, singing ONE PLANET while hugging, shaking each other’s hands, crying, smiling, and unifying with each other in grief, healing and hope.
It was in that moment that I had a glimmer of why I was here on earth, and the common thread of everything I do: My life’s purpose is to provide hope and empowerment tools for raising consciousness in as many people as possible. My goal is to create an inner and outer environment of respect, forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, caring, consideration, cooperation, manners, and most of all LOVE. Since Oklahoma City, I have continued to hone this particular concert. It is a lifetime process as I rediscover new ways to emphasize the importance of being an everyday hero, a life of respectful living and a bully-free, safe existence for everyone on our beautiful planet.