DESERTATIONS - TRANSITIONS

Today, I'm reflecting on the TRANSITIONS of my Life.

Some are obvious, others were not because they were just out of sight, beneath the surface.

From high school,

to college,

to my first professional road gigs,

to the Air Force and marriage,

then divorce and the birth of my first child

and the abortion of another,

homelessness in NYC

then retreat back to Texas to heal,

coming out fully to my family and living that life for nearly 15 years,

the illness then death of my Brother,

working with Phyllis Hyman,

the death of my Father,

becoming connected to Shirley Horn,

losing all of them, too soon...,

establishing not one but two businessess in NYC that were passions but not callings,

losing all,

retreating to a basement apartment in NJ,

getting sober,

reconnecting with God,

recording my inspirational debut, Just Listen,

getting 'discovered' and acting in over 300 film and tv productions,

walking away from it all for a stay in the desert of New Mexico,

truly connecting to the Vision of EdenDust,

then, living monastically and working in a University setting...

all before turning 50 years young.

I wonder, What's Next??

EDEN in Albuquerque

New Monsatic Life

MONASTIC: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a secluded, dedicated, or austere manner of living.

NEW MONASTICISM: a seeking after a more thought-out, prayerful, contemplative, and peaceful life.

AUSTERE: rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; ascetic; abstinent

I CORINTHIANS 7: 7. Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me - a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

~:~

My original birthday post was just a preview and a foundation for what I really wanted to share about turning '50'.., a milestone in so many ways, especially considering that my blood brother only lived to the age of 42. For a little while now, I've been living a pretty austere life. I know looking at my humble but well decorated abode might not appear that austere to some but in comparison to the mini-mansions of my siblings and the volume of land that I grew up on, trust me, this is austere! More importantly, I'm not using the word with regard to it's traditional externally referenced definition. My usage more accurately is one that reflects what's going on inside of me. It's not just a term that descibes 'how' I'm living but more importantly 'why' I'm living and especially why, I believe, I have the quality of life that I do.

Everyone has been most complimentary of the fact that I look much younger than my 50 years. While this is certainly nice to hear, I'm more excited about feeling as good as I do for the age that I am. The range of motion needed for my new job makes me grateful, daily, for being of sound body and mind than just possessing mere physical grace. For those that have known me longest, my present health and state of mind wasn't always as it is, now. There was a period of time when I shunned exercise, hated sunlight, loved pasteries and sweets to a fault and rarely slept longer than four hours. Even today, I'm not a health nut, 'tho I'm painfully aware of my diet and I average about six hours of sleep because my body just automatically wakes up around that same time, regardless of the day of the week. What I did change was my over-indulgence of things that once were so important to me that I placed them before my good health and good senses.

In December, I will celebrate 12 years of soberity from drugs and alcohol and I'm certain that this is the foundation of everything good that I have in my life today. I've also been celibate for a number of years, now (four or five, depending on the varying defintions) and of late, I'm considering making this a permanent lifestyle choice. Determining to live a Monastic Life at this level without being forced to, is a pratical decision that I'm feeling will not only assure me of a much longer and healthier life, but also one void of the usual drama and emotional highs and lows that accompany the opposite lifestyle. Spiritually, I feel most focused when this element of distraction is simply no longer a part of the equation as the basis for any relationship or interest thereof.

If there are any others out there that have already chosen this manner of being, I sure would enjoy having a dialogue with you about your journey to and through that decision. In the end, just know that I'm not denying myself anything I haven't already experienced.., just the need for 'more' of the same when I already know the end results. Specifically, I prayed for wisdom and knowledge all the days of rest of my life on the eve of my 50th celebration. This is the beginning of that answered prayer.

Be careful what you pray for !!

PEACE,

`EDEN in Albuquerque

EDEN is 50 !!!

Welcome.

On July 16th, 1957, I was born in Newton, Texas, delivered by a mid-wife, at home. I feel this is significant because the most precious thing to me, now, is to be at home, peacefully. I absolutely love it. So, welcome to just a snapshot of what my life is like, today, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This is my inspiration wall, but if the truth be told, the whole place inspires me. It's filled with images, messages and reflections of my past and future states of mind, vision and accomplishment. Just out of frame is a plaque that reads, "Dance as though no one is looking".., I do.., ALOT.

This image is called Happiness in my profile and I am certainly that in this new home! Divine Shelter!!

I spend the little time I have here (from a 40 hour work week) in serenity, reading listening to my favorite artists, watching DVD's (my distinct passion) and just relaxing, knowing that I'm blessed to be of Sound Mind and Heart at this stage of my journey. I'm loving becoming '50' for instinctly I know that my real impact is just beginning.

Revealing this is about as intimate as I can get!! But, this is what I wear (in many colors) when I'm working and it's probably the reason I need my own studio.., so I can truly be 'me' and thereby sing from the most comfortable of places. I've yet to be recorded this way.., but it's soon, I sense. For those wondering, I weigh a very healthy 173lbs at 6'2". Yes, this is what '50' looks like!! New cross tattoo and all!!

I'm here, in this spot, every evening there's a sunset. I thank GOD for my new life and the new opportunities being afforded me. I have asked only 'this request' for my birthday.., 'Divine Health, Wisdom and Knowledge' all the days of the rest of Life.' It's already begun.

Thanks for visiting with me on my special birthday. There's more photos and the larger versions of these in the album entitled 'EDEN @ 50", the detail is great, thanks to a stunning job done my new friend and photographer/filmographer, Colton R.Dean. Look closely in the background and some of you might just see yourselves!!

Peace, Dear Friends and Family.

`EDEN in Albuquerque

Photos: Colton R. Dean

Tattoo: Alejandro Pinto of Stay Gold

MEDIATATIONS - PEACEFUL WARRIOR

Well, after much anticipation, the day has finally arrived:

There are NO Ordinary Moments.

PEACEFUL WARRIOR, my absolutely favorite movie of 2007 is finally in my possession and ready to be viewed by all those favorite friends o' mine, new and old..., not that there are many old friends, yet, in Albuquerque!?! If you don't live here, watch it with me in spirit and talk/write to me about it later. I would love to get everyone's reactions.



If you do live in or near Albuquerque, please let me know if you're interested in seeing this great film with me, and when, ...evenings are perfect, after 5:30p, 'tho anytime on the weekends are best.., and btw, my 50th Birthday is the 16th, just a short time from this posting and I don't have a problem scheduling this movie as many times as possible with different viewings in honor of this momentous occasion, 'cause it's that good!! Yes, you can bring a friend or two, if they're into movies that move you from the inside, out.., or especially if they're not! This movie will change all that, for certain!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Peace, Dear Friends.

Brother`EDEN

EdenDust StudioLabs

413 VASSAR DRIVE SE - Studio B

ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87106