Thursday, January 6, 2022

I am a new member of the 5 am Club and I started the 20/20/20 today. What this means is that: I work out (vigorously) for 20 minutes, then journal/meditate/plan or contemplate for 20 minutes, and lastly enrich myself through reading, listening to audiobooks, or studying for the last 20 minutes.

Doing this for 60 days is supposedly the true “sweet spot” where the pattern has been emblazoned into one’s mind and soul. When you “own your morning, elevate your life”, Robyn Sharma’s 5 am Club mantra, you are internally fired up to create an amazing day/life/life plan! My workout this morning: rowing machine.

This sounds easy but can be quite challenging. First, I have a prosthetic right hip (replaced in July 2020 as soon as elective surgeries were permitted once again during the Covid19 pandemic) and also need to have both knees replaced. What this means to those who still have fully functioning knees and hips is that getting into and out of the seat is challenging! But I did it! I hit play on iTunes, hit the timer, and started. As we all know, the last thing I had listened to, was the first thing that began playing; HAPPY PLACE by Saint Phnx.

Saint Phnx is a pair of Glaswegian brothers whose work I was first introduced to and then also met through Yungblud. They had opened for him during his Underrated Youth tour in 2019. I dragged my daughter to the show at the House of Independents in Asbury Park NJ and gave a few extra tickets away to a new Black Hearts Club (Yungblud’s fandom) friend named Stephanie. At any rate, I was floored at the Saint Phnx performance. Stevie Jukes has a set of pipes on him like nobody’s business and Al adeptly plays super cool electronic drums. The songs are well made, catchy, and musically interesting PLUS the brothers are super nice (found out when we met after the show, Stevie took a photo with my daughter (there was an odd light shining onto them, this is not a manipulated after effect! Wish it weren’t there).

Then, when I started following them on Social Media, I learned that they have an incredible warmth and sense of humour to them that is undeniably welcoming. I suppose one could now say that I am a fan for life. I also want to produce/promote a few concerts for them in the USA, but that’s another story. Back to my workout accompaniment and inner realisation. HAPPY PLACE began to play. It was written after the passing of their father. And it hits home. Had you not known this, you would still enjoy the song but knowing brings its meaning to a higher level. Today it meant something entirely different, a new spin, if you will, for me; I had a terrible childhood. Those who know, know but honestly, no one knows if you catch my drift. Neither here nor there.

My point is that THIS SONG is my new anthem. As I embark on owning my morning and elevating my own damn life, this song will lead my way.

Kathryn China Hayzer

My point is that THIS SONG is my new anthem. As I embark on owning my morning and elevating my own damn life, this song will lead my way.

The lyrics:
Over the hills and far away
Looking out for a better day
When it seems like there’s no escape
Take me to my happy place

If I could wish upon a star
I’d wish that I could heal the scars
And take away every ounce of pain
So hold my hand if you feel scared
I’ll build a house where you feel safe
And if you call my name, then I’ll be there

Over the hills and far away
Looking out for a better day
When it seems like there’s no escape
Take me to my happy place

If I could wish upon a star
I’d take us right back to the start
Close my eyes and live those days again

Oh, I would walk a thousand miles
To hear you laugh and see you smile
I wish that things would never have to change

Over the hills and far away
Looking out for a better day
When it seems like there’s no escape
Take me to my happy place

In the darkness, leave a light on
Through the storm, I’ll remember what you told us
“Keep your head up, standing strong
If you dream and believe, you can find a way back home”

Over the hills and far away
Looking out for a better day
When it seems like there’s no escape
Take me to my happy place

As I stated, this was written for the passing of their father and it seems he was a
happy, jovial, loving man. Essentially, the polar opposite of my family and
upbringing.

But this song is now my anthem as I search, seek, find, and grow the
ability to, at the age of 54, heal the wounds and create my own inner “happy
place” and hold the hand of my own inner child as I move through these
emotions to enlighten myself, to grow, to elevate, to overcome, and to BE all that I
have always wanted to be. Finally.

c2022 Kathryn “China” Hayzer