1) Bad Hair Day

Sometimes even small appearance flaws can ruin your day! A big blemish on your face, bad hair day, a skin rash can leave you feeling self-conscious.

Tip: “Unlink” self-esteem and appearance

While appearance often impacts how you feel about yourselves, it doesn’t have to define you.

Tip: Remember that you are not your body

“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” C.S. Lewis quotes

2) After Baby Body

With every good change in life there are also accompanying losses. Body changes are the price you agree to pay for carrying and delivering a baby.

Tip: Give yourself permission to grieve the losses

Your hips may never be the same size again, the stretch marks are here to stay. Feel the sadness about the changes and then move forward.

Tip: Buy clothes that fit at current size

Don’t wait until you get your pre-baby body back to present your best self. Treat your self as you would have before baby. Don’t wait until you hit a magic size or number on the scale.

3) Signs Of Aging

As a society, we tend to value youthfulness, especially in women’s appearance. While aging men are often though of as “distinguished”, aging women are regarded as “less attractive”.

Tip: Reframe aging as evidence of experience and learning

Just as a painting’s looks changes depending on the frame around it, you can put a more positive and beautiful frame around how your see your physical appearance.

I wrote a song about my own reframing of the aging experience called “God’s Signature”. Here are a few lines that help me reframe my wrinkles:

These lines are signs of many lessons learned
Carved out through time
Smiles that warm and tears that burn
And unexpected turns
Time has been my friend it seems
So let him write on me

You can call me flawed
You can call it character
But I choose to call these changes God’s signature

Pin It

Tip: Focus on multidimensional person

You have many aspect that make you…you! Focus on developing and valuing all of them…mental, social, spiritual, emotional, and physical.

4) Overweight

One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is to lose weight and get fit. When you don’t exercise as much as you’d planned or you overeat one day what do you say to yourself? Are you kind and loving, or do you tell yourself things like, “See, another year when you can’t lose weight” and say belittling things to yourself?

Tip: Self-acceptance

Self-acceptance frees us to make changes. Women worry that if they accept where they are they’ll stay the way they are, but the opposite is true.

Tip: Focus on improving health and self-care

No matter what your physical appearance, you can always take small steps to take good care of yourself. I love the phrase “Life rewards action” because it’s true. Even taking one small step to better your health is a good thing.

5) Social mistakes

How we look in the eyes of others in terms of our behavior is another aspect that can impact self-esteem. Saying something dumb, being impatient with your child, or things as simple as realizing you’ve been calling someone by the same name.

Tip: Own it and move on

You’re self-esteem can remain in tact if your mistake, misstep, or error and then quickly moving on instead of worrying about it.
Tip: “It’s none of my business what other’s think of me”

If you’re worried about what other’s might be thinking about your misstep it’s crucial to remember that it’s not your business what others think about you. You can’t control their thoughts. You’ll never really know what others think about you anyway, unless they are willing to tell you directly.

It’s always fun to see which posts catch your interest over 12 months. Looking back over 2012 the top posts are a mix of music, personal posts, parenting tips, marriage topics, and mental and emotional health advice…and that list just about sums up my life!

A big surprise is #1 — guess you haven’t forgotten that I’ve been a performing songwriter for, oh, 25 years. But, the biggest surprise on this top 10 list is #2 because I only posted it last week! So, many of you have shared it with friends and family online. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing my articles and posts, for great blog discussions and social media comments, and coming to live events this year. I am grateful to have you as part of my “virtual” family.

OK…so here’s the top 10 posts of 2011…

1. 3 Generations of Azevedo Performed in Church Today
2. Letter To Santa That Made Me Cry
3. How To Stop Overreacting and Keep Your Cool
4. To Forgive Or Not To Forgive?
5. National TV Appearance On Nov 3 Secretly Pregnant on Discovery Health
6. Tuesday Tunes: Window To His Love
7. Avoiding Parenting Clashes With College-aged Kids
8. Q&A: Is Date Night Too Much To Ask? & I’m Never In The Mood!
9. 8 Surefire Ways To Emotionally Mess Up Your Kid
10. Keep Your Marriage Emotionally HOT

I am a social media lover so I hope you’ll stay connected in 2012.

I’m thrilled to be participating in the CD release concert at Cottonwood High School on August 24th, a free concert for Young Women and leaders.

Listen to clips & buy CD online

Thanks to all of my Facebook friends for song suggestions.

Listen To Performance

17 yr old daughter after her vocal recital

Dad & me at his President's Day concert

Click here to watch interview

STORY Behind the song “Window To His Love”

I was in tears after giving a musical fireside to a youth group one Sunday night about 20 years ago. “Why am I doing this?” I asked myself. Why was I putting myself through the stress of giving up my Sunday nights, leaving my little baby, and singing for people? From my point of view the fireside had been a complete failure, void of the spirit, and not worth the effort for me or for the congregation. “Why am I doing this music thing? What went wrong?” I asked myself and God as I prayed through my tears.

Rarely have my prayers been answered immediately, but this prayer was different. If I’m remembering correctly, it was that very same night an image of a window with the Savior standing behind it flooded my mind and soon after, most of the words poured out on paper through my tears as I plunked the melody out on our little upright piano. This was truly a gift of mercy given to a young wife and mother in her early 20′s who for years had been plagued with insecurities and self-doubt, but also arm with strong desire to do God’s will and to follow Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father taught me what went wrong at the fireside as he gently showed me that I was in way. I was so worried about myself, how I was doing, sounding, and how I looked, that he couldn’t work with me. He couldn’t use me as an instrument. I needed to get out of the way so he could work through me. The lyrics to “Window To His Love” have become a motto for over 2 decades and the truths in this song were and are my only hope for making a difference in the world. I want to be a window to His love.

LISTEN To “Window To His Love”

Download “Window To His Love” on iTunes

State of the Heart CD (reprise – piano/vocal)
State of the Heart CD (pop version)
Pray For Rain Live Concert CD / EFY
Window to His Love: Intimate Renditions of Inspirational Favorites CD

LYRICS

Window to His Love (Reprise)

From the album State of the Heart
Words & Music: Julie de Azevedo
© 1992 Mohrgud Music (BMI)

I want to be a window to His love
So when you look at me you will see Him
I want to be so pure and clear
That you won’t even know I’m here
‘Cause His love will shine brightly through me

I want to be a doorway to the truth
So when you walk beyond you will find Him
I want to stand so straight and tall
That you won’t notice me at all
But through my open door He will be seen

Chorus
A window to His love
A doorway to the truth
A bearer of the message
He’d have me bring to you
And with each passing day
I want to fade away
‘Til only He can be seen
And I become a window to His love

I want to be a window to His love
So you can look through me and you’ll see Him
And someday shining through the glass
You’ll see His loving countenance
‘Cause I will have become like He is

Chorus
A doorway to the truth
A bearer of the message
He’d have me bring to you
And with each passing year
I want to disappear
‘Til He’s become everything
And I’ve become a window to His love

FUN FACTS ABOUT “Window To His Love”

• The only hate mail I ever received was about this song.
  
• I’ve recorded this song more times than any other song I’ve written.
• This song is the most recorded songs that I’ve written, recorded numerous times by many other artists.
• The words original words “And someday shining through my face” were recorded on the first recording were changed to “And someday shining through the glass you’ll see His loving countenance.”
• The first recording of Window to His Love appeared on the CD “Charity Never Faileth.”
• It’s been recorded in many different languages.
• This is the most widely performed song I’ve written (probably because it’s one of the few “chapel appropriate” songs in my collection).
• People who know this song usually don’t know who wrote it (and I love it).
• When I polled my Julie de Azevedo Facebook friends which  song introduced them to my music “Window To His Love” had the most votes by a long shot.
• Google search turns up about 45 pages when you search the song title. Try it.
• There are several YouTube videos/slideshows about the song (none of which I was involved in)
  
• The little baby crawling around when I wrote this song is now serving a full-time LDS mission in England and is listening to the CD “Window To His Love” and sharing it with converts and companions.
  
• I continued to be overwhelmed and humbled when I perform this song and the majority of the audience can sing a long on the chorus. It still blows me away after 20 + years that a little song that came through a desperate twenty-something has reached so many people. God is good.

Has “Window To His Love” has touched your life in some way?  Have you sung it for a special occasion? Did you hear it at a particularly difficult time? I’d love to have your share your experience by commenting below.

(When you comment your email will remain private. I promise)

STORY Behind the song “What If”

A recurring struggle in my life is that I am rarely satisfied…with anything or anyone, including myself. I find it extremely rare that I am satisfied with the way things are and that I’m constantly looking ahead. Maybe the lack accepting the moment is just part of having a “creative personality”. Maybe it’s part of being a therapist and being trained to look for problems to be solved or fixed.  Maybe it’s just part of a spiritual knowledge that there is always more to experience. Whatever the source, it has brought unhappiness and restlessness. I’ve often wondered what life would be like WITHOUT  wanting more, or different, or new, or…

What if…?

LISTEN To “What If”

BUY “What If” on iTunes

LYRICS

What If

Originally From the album Home
Words: Julie de Azevedo
Music: Julie de Azevedo & John Hancock
©2005 Julie de Azevedo (BMI) / Spooky Cowboy Music (ASCAP)

What if I loved the skin I’m in
Focused on beauty from within
What if my spirit and my body lived in harmony
What if my grass was always green
Greener than any field I’ve seen
What if I celebrate the garden right in front of me

CHORUS
What if I loved the life I’m living
What if I only wanted what I’ve been given

What if I loved the man I’m with
Not who he’ll be but who he is
What if it loosened up the soil for more love to grow
What if I let my children be
Just who they are not what I need
What if I watched in wonder as their tender wings unfold

CHORUS

BRIDGE
What if I laid the past to rest
Looking ahead not looking back
What if I savored every moment like it was my last

What if I wanted what You bring
Didn’t long for the next big thing
What if I only lived for the peace and not for the thrill
What if I gave You all my heart
Didn’t hold back the slightest part
What if I lay it on the altar of Your will

There more of a “feeling” behind the song than an actual story. I wrote it about those times when I can remember having fiery faith; I can remember living a life illuminated by the spirit; I can remember feeling the warmth of God’s love and the glow of the mercy of Jesus Chris, but I can’t FEEL it anymore. Being a follower of Christ requires our hearts and when I can’t feel the fire, it’s much harder to walk in the path Christ has shown.  We all have times when hurt, bitterness, disappointment that threaten to dim our light of faith. The lyrics of this song are my plea to rekindle to fire of faith in Christ.

LISTEN Feel The Fire

BUY on iTunes (“EFY Season Of Courage” CD version 1999)

BUY on iTunes (“Window To His Love: Intimate Renditions of Inspirational Favorites” CD version 2003)

LYRICS

Feel the Fire

From the album Window To His Love: Intimate Renditions of Inspirational Favorites
& Masterpiece: The Best of Julie de Azevedo
Words: Julie de Azevedo
Music: Julie de Azevedo & Tyler Castleton
© 1999 Mohrgud Music (BMI)

Holy breath
Move in me
Warm my soul
And fill my need
I’ve grown so cold from bitter rain
So I need to feel the fire again

Hold me close
In love’s sure grasp

Don’t let me go
I’m falling fast
Make from my embers a mighty flame
‘Cause I need to feel the fire again

Chorus
Like the heart of a child
Burning high
It once was mine
With the faith of a baby
Wrap me safely in His name

Here I am
A willing heart
Make a fire
From this tiny spark
I’ve known the burning of truest flames
And I need to feel the fire again

Repeat Chorus

Holy breath
Move in my
Warm my soul
And hear my plea
I’ve grown so cold from bitter rain
And I need to feel the fire again
I need to feel the fire
I need to feel the fire again

LISTEN to Happily Ever After

BUY on iTunes

STORY Behind the song “Happily Ever After”

My husband I had  been married a couple of years when I realized that the honeymoon phase was over. Every fairy tale, every love story, and every marriage lesson in church ended with “and they lived happily ever after” and I felt ripped off that I hadn’t been fairly warned and felt unprepared for what comes after “happily ever after…”

This song was written to help me process the transition to a new phases of marriage where there are differences of opinion, hurts, disappointments and I found out that being married to real person instead of an idealized man is both refining and rewarding. Two months ago my prince an I celebrated our 22 wedding anniversary.

I had totally forgotten, until I looked at the lyrics & copyright information for this song, that the music was co-written with my dad, Lex.

LYRICS

Happily Ever After

Words:  Julie de Azevedo
Music:  Julie and Lex de Azevedo
For Jeff, my prince

How come the stories always end
With happily ever after
So we grow up not knowing what comes next
The lovely princess rides toward the sunset
With her charming prince
Well I’ll tell you where they went
They rode through disappointment
Waded through the tears
Lost in unknown forests
They battled darkest fears

Chorus
After happily ever after and all the smiles end
The partying and laughter have quieted
In the face of disasters
They conquer them (we’re conquering) together
After happily ever after true love begins

It seems that our story began
With happily ever after
Then suddenly reality set in
‘Cause this princess who is often selfish
Has a stubborn prince
Will we ever find it again
With firm determination
Hours of compromising
Faith and dedication
We continue climbing

Repeat Chorus
After happily ever after
And though we’re far from bliss
We’ll embrace our journey
‘Cause that’s what this life is

As we’re guided by the Master
We’re traveling together
After happily ever after true love begins
After happily ever after grows from within

(c) 1992 Embryo Records
From the CD “State of the Heart”

In honor of Mother’s Day I put together this custom playlist of songs written about my journey of motherhood — joy, pain, growth, wonder, exhaustion, delight, sorrow, empathy, loss,  humility….

Download “Celebrating Mothers” iTunes Playlist here

Here’s the run down of the playlist and a little bit of background on each song…

1-Make Enough of Me

Written at a time when the needs and demands of family and life felt crushing. This song is a prayer born out of my inadequacy and desperate need for  strength beyond my own.

2-Angels

Dedicated to my own mother, Linda, and written after my parents divorce, I hoped to convey my gratitude for her loving care during my childhood, and let her know that all of the little things she did for me and her other 8 children mattered.

3-Healing

Written when my oldest children were still in elementary school as I came to the realization that while I could soothe and calm all of their worries and hurts, the time would soon come where they would need a “healing beyond me”.

4-Open Apology

Before my children became teens I wrote this song of apology for all the mistake I’ve made, and will continue to make. I wanted to apologize before they realized my humanness and to reassure them that I am well aware of my shortcomings as a mother.

5-The Child in Me

When my oldest son was a toddler, it found myself reliving certain emotions and experiences of my own childhood. At the same time, I was in grad school studying about child development, psychology, therapy and realized that the best tool to get in touch with my “inner child” was asleep in my arms.

6-Home

“You are my resting place. You are my saving grace. You are the arms where I belong.” We all want and need a home.

7-One Child

There’s a huge space between our 2nd & 3rd children — 9 years.  We were ready for another baby and the anticipation and celebrating was so wonderful. Then my thoughts turned to another mother — Mary. What kind of anticipation did she have waiting to hold the Son of God?

8-Hope Enough For Two

Part of family life is leaning on each other and loaning our own strength to help our loved ones get through painful times. “I’ve got hope enough for two. Let me offer faith to you. I know there’s a God in the heavens. And I know that he’ll see you through. And He’s got, he’s got hope and faith in you.”

9-Michelle

The sudden death of my friend Tracy’s little sister, Michelle, inspired this song. I wrote it before I had my own children, but coming from a close family of many siblings I tried to imagine the difficult road ahead in dealing with the loss of a young sister.

10-Sometimes He Calms The Storm

It’s the daily parenting experiences teach me more about the nature of God and his relationship with his children –like when a little one is scared at night and needs comfort. I am starting to see that in every small interaction with my children I am the parent AND the child.

LISTEN Something Holy – Julie de Azevedo

BUY on iTunes

STORY Behind the song “Something Holy”

I wrote this song in the early 2000′s during a time when I was acutely aware of my weaknesses and at the same time marveling at the atonement of Jesus Christ. How on earth can He take such a flawed person and make  ME holy? I know He can because I felt His healing before. This song “Something Holy” is my hope and my prayer that He will continue to purify me through His mercy and grace.

While I love being a performing songwriter, there is something really uncomfortable about the tendency for listeners to put me, or anyone else who is “on stage” on a pedestal, believing that somehow that I am more enlightened or spiritual because I can write songs. I decided a long time ago that if I was going to write songs, I would be totally honest about myself and my experience, refusing to sugar coat life. So, also in this song is my plea to listeners to see my humanness. I struggle. I am just like everyone else, totally flawed, and so in need of a savior every day.

From a production standpoint, I love how John Hancock’s string arrangements make this song soar. The frenetic guitar part in the verses fit so nicely with the angst of the lyrics “Tangled in a web of insecurity and pretense, demons run my head, there’s so much to feed on. Where is my freedom?”

The song and production came together in a powerful way, and the lyrical honesty make this song one of my favorites, so I decided to include it on my “best of” CD “Masterpiece” even though very few people have ever heard this song. Enjoy!

LYRICS

Something Holy
Words & Music: Julie de Azevedo
© 2001 Mohrgud Music (BMI)

Tangled in a web of insecurity and pretense
Demons run around my head
There’s so much to feed on
Where is my freedom

With this ego I’m entwined
I alone cannot unwind
Take this mess and make of it
Something holy somehow
Holy somehow

Chorus
Take this broken crown
This tarnished halo slipping down
Take this broken crown and make it new
Take this hand me down tattered heart and soul that’s used
And make something holy
Something holy somehow

I feel it in my blood
A healing fire in my bones
Burn this flesh ‘til nothings left of what I once was
‘Til I’m overcome

Ashes ashes we fall down
We bruise our hearts and break our crowns
Take this dust and make of us
Something holy somehow
Holy somehow

Repeat Chorus

Somewhere sometime
Something holy
Somewhere sometime
Something holy only you can do
Only you can do

Repeat Chorus

2/27 — 314 facebook shares &  2000 views

3/6 — 1403 facebook shares & 5100 views

3/15 — 1733 facebook shares & over 6500 views!!!

Thank you. Thank you! To all of you who shared this music video with friends and loved ones. Although, I’m not producing a lot of music lately, thank you for allowing my music to continue to inspire others. I am grateful.

Wings (acoustic version)

Take Me There

Amazing Things

When you hear the word “strength” you likely think of traits or characteristics that are easily visible to others. But you also have “quiet” strengths that are demonstrated in your relationships interactions, and in who you are. These quiet strengths might be empathy, being a good listener, making others feel important, spirituality, and more.I’m continually inspired by the inner strengths of many women that I meet with in my counseling practice, and in workshops, who are dealing with difficult life situations: the loss of a child, marital distress, debilitating depression, chronic illness, and more. They face difficult life situations with courage and strive to move beyond their current situation.One of my own quiet strengths is the ability to reflect on my inner life and on my relationships and express my experience through songs. I gain much inspiration for themes and lyrics from my important relationships and life experiences.Three women in particular have inspired me with their quiet strengths of self- acceptance, emotional depth, and consistent support.

1-Self-acceptance

I have known Sara White for over 15 years and have been inspired by her strength of self-acceptance. Now well into her 90′s, Sara continues to enjoy her family and friends and exudes an inner beauty that is evident to all who know her. Through difficult life experiences Sara has grown in beauty and grace. The years have been a friend to her.

God’s Signature

(lyric excerpt, written by Julie de Azevedo)
These lines are signs of many lessons learned
Carved out through time
Smiles that warm and tears that burn
And unexpected turns
Time has been my friend it seems
So let Him write on meYou can call me flawed
You can call it character
But I choose to call these changes
God’s signatureMaybe it’s part of His design
That our landscape shifts with time
And youth is just a blur
Maybe it’s part of His design
And letting go of pride
It’s proof that we’re alive…

2-Emotional Depth

Melodie Williams, a long-time friend and mentor has inspired me with her unique emotional depth and thoughtfulness about life. Always an optimist, Melodie has encouraged me to seek continual growth in my emotional and spiritual life while maintaining a hopeful outlook. As a professional painter, her depth is expressed beautifully in her artwork. To learn more about Melodie’s art visit www.melodiewilliamsart.com.

Dive Deep

(lyric excerpt, written by Julie de Azevedo)
Dive deep into this ocean
Brave uncharted sea
You’ll never own me
If you want to hold me
Dive deep
Dive deep into this ocean
Cradle any jewel
Swim with the lover
Dance with the mother
Kiss the wife
And laugh with the girl

3-Consistent Support

My mother, Linda de Azevedo , dedicated her life to raising nine children. It wasn’t until I became a mother that my appreciation for her deepened as I realized the impact of her constant support throughout my life. I wrote this song “Angels” as a tribute to her life. Still, she continues to be a source of support to me and my family generously offering praise, encouragement, and practical help whenever possible. Soon after this segment airs, she will be the first to call or send a text cheering me on.

Angels

(lyrics excerpt, written by Julie de Azevedo)
She was a girl just a young girl at nineteen
When she left behind her the life she had known
Got all dressed up in white
Oh to be a new bride
And set out to make a house a home
When she found herself she was drowning in laundry
Up all the night and driving all day
And every few years she would come up for air
In between lessons, carpool, and PTABut the angels they carried her
Through the fire and the rain
And the angels they carried her
From the end of her rope to the end of her day
And the angels, they sang to her
So she know someone was there
She had wings and prayers
Looking back it’s clear
She was touching heaven all those years…

My new CD “Masterpiece: The Best of Julie de Azevedo” is available at Deseret Book.

Listen to the interview & song clips here

If you have any questions about the CD post them below!

listen to clips and purchase online HERE or look for it in retail stores near you.

Producing a CD is a team sport with many, many players. I’ve been blessed to work with so many amazing musicians, arrangers, producers, engineers, co-writers, executives, designers through the years. Listening to this CD is like reliving the last 20 years of my life’s journey.   

A highlight of producing this CD was reuniting with my producer John Hancock and getting back into the studio to record 2 NEW songs that are about themes in my current life – God’s Signature, & Hard Things  

Here are some behind the scenes shots of the band playing on the 2 new tunes.  

Mike Green engineer extraordinaire

Me & Producer John Hancock

The band

Legendary Rich Dixon

Groove master Joel Stevenette in his “cage”