Walking into the New Year

It's been a while since I've really wrote a reflection on this blog, and I have had a lot I have wanted to write about, but now since it is January 1st I thought now its the perfect time.

Walking into the new year there are simply 2 words I am keeping close… Humility and Silence.

2014 was a year of many accomplishments and new experiences.   From the release of the Golden EP, to helping to start the AMDG movement, travel, and entering to become an Idente Missionary there has been a lot in a little bit of time.

Wait... Aren't you a little later with this? The answer is actually no. I started this blogpost before the New Year even begun, and God said "Nope... Take your time."

After the Golden City tour ended in November, it was pretty perfect how the whole month of December was filled with family time and lots of reflection.  December started and my mind was still back in August due to the speed of constant events in the year.   The best thing about it is that it was Advent, and as I was preparing for Christmas this year it was something completely fresh and brand new.  I found myself loving "Christmas music" this year! - there was something about its beauty and simplicity that spoke to me.  

The tour in itself was a learning experience, and I think more than anything else it gave me an opportunity to study culture in a new way.  We were able to see what young people respond to and what is resonating with them.  One of the biggest things we noticed was that people are searching for something deep.  The hype and fun time was a great hook, and the cool crowd interactive hooks were amazing set ups that were necessary that we learned more and more over time.  However, at the end of the day when we got to the place where they were brought to a more silent, meditative, and reflective experience was what resonated with them the most.

Along with all of this, I was catching up with the idea that finally all is love media went from a just me brand to having 2 other artists, a Deejay, and a poet .  This year it seemed that finally the vision  that has been implanted in my heart so long ago was starting to become a reality.  This year, I also bought the domain to the AMDG movement and conducted weekly conference calls for a big portion of the year; planning and meeting with some other artists and supporters of this smaller community within Hip Hop of the faith moving forward to meet people with the message of true love for God's greater glory.  In a way, I was moved into new leadership roles and I found myself really reflecting upon what I was getting into. This is not to mention becoming a missionary and all that this means and entails.

This is all to say that 2014 was a HUGE year!!! So many new things, checkpoints, things accomplished, and lots learned. 2015 is setting itself up for something new and more.

I fully got the mission God had for me this year on Christmas Eve. As we were getting ready to leave and go to a family member's home for some celebration and togetherness before going to midnight mass I got this note from Christian that reads "Dear Dad, Don't be so mad. Don't be so angry."  Click HERE to read it in his own handwriting with a few mistakes and mispellings.

It was truly something mystical. I was a little late and behind, as well as feeling very anxious and agitated. While in the bathroom shaving was when Christian came to give me his note, which is funny because as he is learning more and more to write in school he has started this habit of writing us small notes from time to time. It was a perfect gift in Christmas Eve, because anyone who know's my personal story knows that in my spiritual walk I have always had problems with the person of "Jesus" and as a teen I very much had jealousy issues. (not sure how long you've been following, but I spoke about it on this track - http://allislovefeelx.bandcamp.com/track/creed) This has continuously something that has been amended as usually I would feel very much more comfortable jn my relationships with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Leading up to Christmas though Jesus himself was coming to me much more.

It was in the moment of receiving this note that it all finally made sense. That is the same note that Jesus wrote to the Father for our salvation. What great humility, and silence. My son Christian did not have to tell me with words, and how obedient he is to me always, but yet here comes his one petition to me on the holidays. What great peace, love, and joy it brings.

I lastly write this... I have been telling people I don't have a New Years resolution as much as I have 2 virtues I am making my intention for this year and they are very connected to all I have written above. Simply they are "silence" and "humilty". I know this year will bring more challenges and more obstacles, more leadership, and more people to serve. This year I make it my intention to truly be silent and listen more to the ones I am serving, and also to be more humble than ever before in my own obedience with love always.

- The Symbol

- All is Love