Recently I read an interview with Clay where he said he sometimes envies his friends who are now teachers, because they are doing something to help people, whereas what he is doing helps no one...
I wish I could tell him that that is so not true! Many of us, like me, are encouraged and inspired to find greater meaning in life thanks to Clay, his singing, his personality and simply who he is as a role model for a great human being!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
"More to this life"
A song I downloaded recently from a Clayfan site speaks to me more than most. I don't know where Clay sang it, because it clearly wasn't at a concert (there are no screaming fans!), nor is it on any of his albums. It was perhaps from the album he recorded after he graduated from high school (it was his Mom's graduation gift!). Maybe, because though it is obviously Clay's pure voice, he is not yet as polished or as solid as his voice is now, in his mid-20s.
The song which moves me has the following phrase: "There's more to this life than living and dying, more than just trying to make it through the day". It gives me hope and energy to continue every day, even when I am down - or worse. It tells me to think about the greater purpose of my life and my place in the universe, rather than focus on the daily trials and tribulations which can mobilize all one's attention and energy if one lets them. And goodness knows, I'm no better than the next person in avoiding being caught in the daily trap of rush-rush-rush and complaining.
You can download "More to this life" by going to the demo MP3 page on the All Things Clay Aiken Web site.
I love the fact that Clay's songs always have meaning. He refuses to sing songs which have no meaning, which are devoid of his own values or which in fact, go against his values. I respect that about him. He is such a unique singer and star in that sense, as well as many other ways, of course!
The song which moves me has the following phrase: "There's more to this life than living and dying, more than just trying to make it through the day". It gives me hope and energy to continue every day, even when I am down - or worse. It tells me to think about the greater purpose of my life and my place in the universe, rather than focus on the daily trials and tribulations which can mobilize all one's attention and energy if one lets them. And goodness knows, I'm no better than the next person in avoiding being caught in the daily trap of rush-rush-rush and complaining.
You can download "More to this life" by going to the demo MP3 page on the All Things Clay Aiken Web site.
I love the fact that Clay's songs always have meaning. He refuses to sing songs which have no meaning, which are devoid of his own values or which in fact, go against his values. I respect that about him. He is such a unique singer and star in that sense, as well as many other ways, of course!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
One of the reasons why I love Clay Aiken...
Clay cradling a tiny baby while in Indonesia with UNICEF
Here's just one of the reasons why I am so partial to Clay Aiken. The love he has - and concretely shows - for children is so real and palpable. His hand gently cradling the baby's head, the tiny one's eyes looking right up into Clay's. A moment of sweetness so typical of Clay that it makes me find more happiness around me, more peace in this world which seems at times to be so full of pain.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
How does Clay stay so busy?
I'm always amazed at how active Clay is, doing six tours in just over two years. Two years in which he also did the following:
- set up and remains involved in the The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
- finished up and received his undergraduate degree in special education
- began working part-time for The Insider
- wrote a book - "Learning to Sing"
- hosted and participated in a number of television shows, including Christmas specials
- recorded and released two highly acclaimed albums ( Measure of a Man and Merry Christmas With Love )
- and lots more!
Clay is a highly sensitive person, and usually sensitive people need lots of time to themselves to wind down and process all the emotions they go through (I speak from experience!), but Clay seems to thrive on action, activity and having lots of people around, such that he has little alone-time and he's always on the go. I wish I could be more like him!
- set up and remains involved in the The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
- finished up and received his undergraduate degree in special education
- began working part-time for The Insider
- wrote a book - "Learning to Sing"
- hosted and participated in a number of television shows, including Christmas specials
- recorded and released two highly acclaimed albums ( Measure of a Man and Merry Christmas With Love )
- and lots more!
Clay is a highly sensitive person, and usually sensitive people need lots of time to themselves to wind down and process all the emotions they go through (I speak from experience!), but Clay seems to thrive on action, activity and having lots of people around, such that he has little alone-time and he's always on the go. I wish I could be more like him!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
What would you say to Clay if you met him?
Like other Claymates, I sometimes imagine what I would say if I ever met (when I meet? - here's to dreaming!) Clay in person.
Although I am 15 years his senior, I'm sure I would blush and stutter, out of sheer emotion at meeting this amazing young man. Then I would probably say something like "I feel so privileged to meet you Clay; I can't tell you how much joy and hope you have brought to my life." I know many of us imagine experiencing a real connection with Clay - and so do I. I imagine him looking into my eyes, and really seeing me, talking with me, not just as another fan at a meet-and-greet, but as a (potential) friend. I fantasize about him asking if I want to get together with him later that day, and we do, and we talk all night, a real heart-to-heart about life, love, commitment, purpose and social justice.
If it were earlier on in my life, say 15 years ago (I would be Clay's age), I would undoubtedly fall in love with Clay and imagine us as a couple. But being in my forties now, I feel more like an older sister doting on her beloved younger brother.
Clay has such a rich spiritual life, and is such a wise, sensitive soul, that I would love to just spend time with him, walking and talking, sharing about our lives, goals and experiences coming from histories of abuse and neglect. I know we would have lots to talk about! And I know I would come away from such a meeting with a feeling of being uplifted, of increased strength to meet the challenges in my own life.
What would you say to Clay if you met him in person?
Although I am 15 years his senior, I'm sure I would blush and stutter, out of sheer emotion at meeting this amazing young man. Then I would probably say something like "I feel so privileged to meet you Clay; I can't tell you how much joy and hope you have brought to my life." I know many of us imagine experiencing a real connection with Clay - and so do I. I imagine him looking into my eyes, and really seeing me, talking with me, not just as another fan at a meet-and-greet, but as a (potential) friend. I fantasize about him asking if I want to get together with him later that day, and we do, and we talk all night, a real heart-to-heart about life, love, commitment, purpose and social justice.
If it were earlier on in my life, say 15 years ago (I would be Clay's age), I would undoubtedly fall in love with Clay and imagine us as a couple. But being in my forties now, I feel more like an older sister doting on her beloved younger brother.
Clay has such a rich spiritual life, and is such a wise, sensitive soul, that I would love to just spend time with him, walking and talking, sharing about our lives, goals and experiences coming from histories of abuse and neglect. I know we would have lots to talk about! And I know I would come away from such a meeting with a feeling of being uplifted, of increased strength to meet the challenges in my own life.
What would you say to Clay if you met him in person?
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Featuring ... ClayManiac - the Website about Clay's fans
I like visiting the website called ClayManiac - the Website about Clay's fans - it has Clay art created by fans, photo galleries, fun pages, a yearly Clay calendar and fan stats. But one of the things I like best about this site is the section called Confessions (why we love Clay); which, as one can imagine, includes writings by fans who share why Clay appeals to them so.
And for a bit of eye-candy today: I love this recent picture from the Joyful Noise Tour...
Clay in Youngstown, Ohio, November 27, 2005 - JNT05 - thanks to Smugmug's online gallery of photos !
And for a bit of eye-candy today: I love this recent picture from the Joyful Noise Tour...
Clay in Youngstown, Ohio, November 27, 2005 - JNT05 - thanks to Smugmug's online gallery of photos !
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