Note: This post/email is primarily for those people who have been on my newsletter for the past few years. It reveals my publishing plans. It reveals some desires. If you are brand new, it is for you too but I felt it important to share my plans with long-time subscribers.
Images: Choose display images in your email. I’ve included some pretty pictures.
We are embarking on a new journey. Wanna come along? I’m not going to lie, I really want you to come along.
Truth is, it isn’t a new journey as much as a trimming of the sails and a course correction. We all need those from time to time. Mine is long overdue.
It may be best captured in lyrics from some of the songs I’ve written in the past few years.
If I submitted the songs to a therapist, there would be a couple nods, a “mmm hmmm… I see…” and I’d be laid bare and exposed.
LET ME EXPOSE MYSELF
Hey now… Behave kids… I mean my soft emotional underbelly and heartfelt desires.
Some lyrics from, “The Path” - a song I wrote in 2019.
If we can catch a little break my dear
Perhaps the timing could be right
Can you check to see the coast is clear
Perhaps we’ll slip away tonight
And at then, the end of the chorus
We’ve found fit to find our feet upon this path
To cross these valleys, fields, and streams
Find our dreams
And from another song, “The Road I See” - also written in 2019.
It’s 4am, a wind is blowing
We cannot fight it, it’s where we’re going
And all these questions they’ve got no answers
But all the reasons are all we’re after
What do you see in the above? I’m curious.
A few years ago, my friend, Roderick, who is, in fact, a trauma therapist, responded to the lyrics in, “The Road I See” and said the following.
Your song, at least in part, speaks to life in transition. It is the season in which we learn to let go of what has hurt us and kept us from becoming our purpose. It is a season when we learn new patterns and rituals that serve to replace old ineffective ones. And, it is a season in which we find the courage to enter the new -- a new way of living. Thank you for sharing your song; for sharing your journey. I love the lyrics.
He’s also interpreted a couple of my dreams. He’s an interesting and insightful dude.
Matt, what is this all about?
I moved my newsletter to substack to simplify publishing my writing, my music, and other creations - and, over time, make money from it.
Screech!!! You want us to pay you?
No! I don’t want you to pay me. And yes! I do you want you to pay me.
I want you to pay for a subscription if, and only if, there is value in it for you and you can afford to do so. If you do see the value - from an entertainment and edification perspective - but you cannot afford to pay at this time, please let me know and we’ll work something out. Use my website’s contact form.
Also, there will be plenty of free content, music, essays, etc. I’m a cheap date.
Schedule & Topics
More important, I’m writing to let you know that I will be publishing content here every single week. Sometimes multiple times a week. I believe it is fair for me to let you know that.
My content will include essays, song lyrics, poetry, audio musings, technology I find useful, and curated items of interest I find along the way.
Some upcoming topics:
Songwriting: Why & How To
How to become a gooder writer and even get published
My son’s addiction and homelessness (with his permission)
- and some thoughts on policyMy mean girlfriend (without her permission.. shhh)
Why we want to move to Humboldt
Deb, my mean girlfriend’s photography (with her permission)
And, of course, music
There’s more but you get the gist.
What I Am Offering
I offer additional insight on my about page but here is my commitment to you.
Gratitude:
We have a lot of places vying for our attention. That you’ve given me some of yours… Wow! I don’t take that lightly. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Authenticity:
I am not going to burp in front of you or anything. But I will give you my sincerity. It will show up in my songwriting. It will show up in essays, poems, or random ideas. I’m pretty comfortable with who I am most of the time. And when I am not, I’ll let you know.
Effort:
I will work hard to entertain you, inform you, and engage you. If you have questions, leave a comment. I will do my best to answer any sincere question. I might even answer insincere and mean-spirited questions. Of course, I may answer those with sarcasm and snark… but, hey, it’s something.
I hope this all makes sense.
I’m excited! Truly excited. This is the path and road I see.
Hop on & hang on. Club Sage is a go!
Sincerely,
Matthew Moran