Arsena SchroederMusic Blog

Liberation

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:12:00 -0400

I was making a sandwich and a really freeing thought came to mind. WHO KNEW revelations came while making a BLT, but it was a very liberating thought.

I’m starting to accept those “thoughts” as God’s voice as opposed to some random thought that flew out of no where. He spoke and I am glad because it was just what I needed to hear at that moment.

A day or two ago, a friend informed me of a show I was booked for in Philadelphia, PA. I had NO idea. I sent in my booking information and never heard back so I assumed I was not booked there, which I was TOTALLY fine with. BUT it turns out my name was listed on their site and not only was I booked, I was booked on the same exact day at the same exact venue as TWO of my favorite independent artists. I mean, artists that I really respect, look up to, and strive to be like someday.

Most would say, “That’s great! What’s the problem?”….No. my thoughts were, “OH CRAP! CERTAINLY I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH! OH Lord Jesus get me out of this!” LOL… these were my real thoughts.

Now of course I wont pass up the opportunity to play in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’, nor will I let fear keep me from this opportunity….but the anticipation over the next 1.5 months is another thing.

I went in the kitchen to make a sandwich and that nervous feeling came back again. That, “Oh no… time is running out” feeling. And very shortly after this thought occurred I thought to myself, “What’s the worse that could happen?” I mean really? What I mess up? I forget the….Okay… let’s not list all the things that could go wrong (haha), but seriously the worse that could happen is I mess up and get a sympathy applause. I go home to a loving husband and amazing God and I continue doing what He created me to do——music. Ha!

When that realization hit me! It was so freeing! I realized the freedom to fail is one of the most valuable things you could ever receive! THANK YOU, Jesus. Really, it may sound crazy, but the freedom to fail changes everything. You lay down the burden of perfectionism or the crazy obsession to impress others and you’re finally free to reach your full potential. Things change from being about meeting a standard to being your best you…despite where it falls in the line up.

Oh and to be quite honest, something Tamar Braxton did came to mind too…which I know is not the most reliable resource, but it really inspired me. She sang the national anthem for some sporting event and although the performance looked like it was going all down hill, she decided to go for the high note….and missed it terribly! BUT I was very encouraged by her courage. She could of very well played it safe, but I’m learning that being an inspiration doesn’t mean that you have to do everything prefect…I just means you do it with heart. That’s what people remember at the end of the day. Perfection never has a lasting impression as much as having heart does. And guess what? So Tamar didn’t hit the note. That was a few years ago.. where is she at now? Number one single?… Yep.

So I’m encouraged to be me in Philly! AND I’ll re-read this blog post every time I’m tempted to think I need to be anything else.

-Arsena

Screen shots from the music video and new single…that...

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:59:44 -0400

Screen shots from the music video and new single…that releases June 25th. BOOM :)

I got a guitalele (half classical guitar, half tenor ukulele)...

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:34:08 -0400

I got a guitalele (half classical guitar, half tenor ukulele) and painted it with paint markers today. :)

Smell The Roses (Random Thoughts)

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:31:01 -0400

Oh boy! How long has it been since I’ve blogged anything transparent and heartfelt? It’s been a while.

Actually this post is an attempt to stop and smell the roses. Seems I’ve been a little busy bee lately… things like social media and DIY music/art has got me in a work mode that’s hard to get out of. I’ve always been that busy bee. God gave me the drive of a… i don’t know a mule? Haha! I suppose that’s not always a positive trait, but I’ve always had it. When I get in the mode, I’m in the mode.

But this is refreshing. The chance to just sit back and let it all hang out with your words. This type of authenticity I’ve blogged about before is oh so good, but lately I’ve noticed it takes a conscious effort for me to be transparent as I don’t think it’s received well be most people. As Lauryn Hill said, people prefer fantasy but what they need is reality. Reality to me is just being your authentic self.

I spoke/sang at the Dean’s List Reception of my alma mater a week or two ago. I was requested for the event unknowing that I was basically the guest speaker for the evening. I felt such a freedom in starting off by saying…. “This is awkward” instead of pretending I had it all together. Surely most would say that is totally unprofessional. You should show no sign of weakness or unpreparedness. But frankly, it was awkward. I thought at most I’d be singing a few songs as background music to the event, I had no idea it’d be at a formal dinner with hundreds of eyes waiting for me to drop something wise or meaningful as the keynote speaker. So I proceeded by telling them about my experience in college and some of the things God showed me while I was there…. whooo I felt free. And I can’t lie the Holy Spirit really made it work, and well. I was free to be me and not some PhD speaker there to tell them, “Keep up the good work. Fight your way to the top”. Instead I just offered them——-me (and my tunes).

There have been a ton of things on my mind lately (of course), and most of it has a TON to do with my career. I often have to remind myself that my identity is not as a singer and songwriter. My identity is as the Father’s daughter. It’s so easy to get wrapped in labels and titles and roles. I love being a singer-songwriter. I LOOOVE being a wife (my husband freaking rocks), but most importantly do I love being His daughter? At the end of my life…that’s all I’ll be. Everything else can/will be stripped away.

An honest (authentic) answer to the question would really take some digging deep and soul searching to answer. If I were honest, I’d say I have a really screwed up perspective on what being his daughter means. With all the noise of religion and politics, trends and fads, I have a hard time deciphering what being his daughter really looks like? Does that mean I attend a church and pay tithes faithfully each week/month? Does it mean I go out and vote against gay marriage? Or does it mean I get to be with Him each and every day and trust that He’ll take care of me, trust that my obedience isn’t in vain, trust that His spirit can speak directly to me and lead me… what’s being His daughter really mean? I think that’s the question I’d have to work through. If I were honest, this is the stage I’m at in my journey right now—-learning my identity. And I can’t say that it’s a battle that will ever end. I mean Jesus’ entire time of ministry was just that—Satan in the desert, “If you are the Son of God…”, To the disciples, “Who do people say I am?”, Pilate “Are you the King of the Jews/Son of God?”. This man knew his identity & still faced trials/persecution, so if I want to follow Him… I will too.

Arsena

Last night yo!

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:17:41 -0400

Last night yo!

"When a person accepts himself as loved by God, he is liberated from conceptions of “the blood..."

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:12:34 -0400

“When a person accepts himself as loved by God, he is liberated from conceptions of “the blood line, the nation, the church, money, ego, entitlement, sexual muscle, security, violence, and the paltry gods of modern life.””

- Brennan Manning

So we start shooting the Manna music video this Saturday…...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:22:11 -0400

So we start shooting the Manna music video this Saturday… this weekend is going to be bananas!!!!! 2 shows+video shooting=bananas.

Forgot to post this… Vlog #3: Acoustic Guitar Tracks for...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:40:39 -0400

Forgot to post this… Vlog #3: Acoustic Guitar Tracks for my new single…Manna!

A cover I posted on Youtube a day or two ago… check it...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:38:47 -0400

A cover I posted on Youtube a day or two ago… check it out. :)

Yessir… the guitar part on the chorus… Yeess, Lawd....

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:17:13 -0400

Yessir… the guitar part on the chorus… Yeess, Lawd. She’s still my fav :)

Photo

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:08:59 -0400

The line-up last weekend!

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:31:26 -0400

The line-up last weekend!

If a dog was the teacher you would learn...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:42:20 -0400

1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.

3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

4. Take naps.

5. Stretch before rising.

6. Run, romp, and play daily.

7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

9. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

10. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

11. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

12. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

13. Be loyal.

14. Never pretend to be something you’re not.

15. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

16. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

17. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Vlog #2: Updates on the production of my single and in...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:15:53 -0400

Vlog #2: Updates on the production of my single and in studio-footage!

Photo

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:37:18 -0400

Mentioned in the Stanley Press…4th column. Way cool to...

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:52:09 -0400

Mentioned in the Stanley Press…4th column. Way cool to stumble across this!

“Let’s Talk About Love” Free-style at the...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:42:56 -0400

“Let’s Talk About Love” Free-style at the Tawba Walk this past Friday hosted by Bella Love…. wish you could hear my bff playing the egg shaker in the background. She was holding it down! lol

Finally got around to making quinoa for dinner. Had it on the...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:40:53 -0400

Finally got around to making quinoa for dinner. Had it on the side of a balsamic egg spinach salad… so good. #happybelly

This is where i’ll be playing this weekend!! Want to RSVP...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:45:10 -0400

This is where i’ll be playing this weekend!! Want to RSVP and get the address to this House Show? e-mail info@anitrajay.com!

Photo

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:12:13 -0400