Music the entire family can enjoy - Ryan "ryno" Nicholson - Journal

Happy Friday!! Happy "NEW" You!! 12/30/2011

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

By now you may have heard about the 18 year old young man who died on Christmas day. Young Ben Breedlove had the same heart condition that my Grandmother carried her entire life. A condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. He left behind a silent video speaking through flash cards about his near death experiences, seeing light, feeling love, joy...and peace. There's a part in the video where the card says something to the nature of "I'm proud of how I lived my life"......and then closes with "do you believe in angels or God"....."I do"....

Ben's video here really took me by surprise. In a world filled with the "worries" of tomorrow, here was a young man who knew and appreciated the fragility of his life and that tomorrow may indeed never come. Was it because he saw something that many have never seen that made him unafraid?

When Ben spoke of "THE LIGHT" he saw and the "Peace" that overcame him, it brought back vivid memories of my experience one night about 8 years ago as I sat in a pitch black room in one of my darkest hours. I didn't know if a GOD existed, but this night I prayed out to him for guidance. A night that changed my life forever. I posted that entire story along with how I made it to NASHVILLE here if you're interested. MY STORY

This NEW year brings forth new opportunities for each of us to spread LOVE and LIGHT into the world. To ENCOURAGE and INSPIRE those around us to become the best representation of the divine spirit that lives within. I've heard it best said, we're divine beings living the human experience. Ben's story reminds me that statement couldn't be more true.

I've also heard it said that our body is a temple for the SOUL, that we shall treat it as such. We must honor it by taking good care of it physically and by nourishing it. If you feel you need help putting a plan in place to bring forth a "NEW" you this year, please let me know. If you don't have money, don't worry, I won't let that be a "BARRIER" to helping you. It really isn't about the money anyway. It's about being able to look back on life as Ben did and be able to speak those powerful 8 words......."I'm proud of how I lived my life"

You can visit me at www.daretolivefit.com to start your plan for the NEW YEAR and guess what...you don't have to live in Tennessee to use my COMPLETE TRAINING SYSTEM ;-)

May Peace, Joy and Love embrace you with ABUNDANCE in 2012 and beyond.

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire...

Love,

Ryan and the girls

www.ryannicholson.com

www.daretolivefit.com

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.twitter.com/rynomusic

Happy Friday 12/23/11 Tis the Season for ENLIGHTENMENT

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Tis’ the season for enlightenment……

Have you ever met or known somebody or a family and thought…WOW! They must have it all together...life must be peaches and banana pancakes for them. Always smiling, happy to share an encouraging word, never an ounce of negativity seeping out of their mouth? You have?

Me too, in the form of some of my regular guests down at the Bonefish Grill. In fact, I saw them again just the other night, lighting up the restaurant with their brilliant spirit. I had the privilege of being serenaded by their daughter….a sweet little 5 year old girl who sang me "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" with the most delicate angelic voice...Mom and Dad gleaming with pride as they looked on. It was another wonderful night "on the job".

I couldn't help but email them when I got home to thank them for yet again another wonderful visit and for always continuing to lift my spirits with their thoughtful and encouraging words. Yes, this family has it all together.....Peace, Joy and Love exudes from them, they must not have a care in the world……or so I thought.

Well, I received a reply..."Ryan, Thanks so much.....Merry Christmas. (WIFE’S NAME REMOVED) had breast cancer this year and had to have a double mastectomy...it has been a rough year...many surgeries.....but all is good. We are blessed folks....it could always have been worse. We are still alive and kicking.....so it's not that bad……....thank you for being an inspiration to us....you're a special soul”

As I read the email, I couldn't help but feel shocked, I was totally unaware of their TRIALS. I thought, if this family could shed so much love and light in their “Darkest Hours”...what is the potential for those of us who do not face such a burden? What potential do we have to inspire and encourage those around us on our daily walk? Are we focused on spirit and service to others, released of all fear, knowing that our spiritual and material needs will be met as a result?

This beautiful family reminds me that we all have so much POTENTIAL in “serving” our world around us. To leave the house each and every day expecting to make a difference in one person’s life, expecting to meet COOL PEOPLE on our journey… to enlighten and be enlightened by others, expecting to make our world a better place one person at a time, for your children and mine.

They have decided to “COME ALIVE“ when moments of despair could have held them back......have you “COME ALIVE”??? Will you join me in 2012 and beyond????

Being a server at The Bonefish Grill has taught me the spirit of service (no pun intended) without an expectation of anything in return. I have a calling to serve everyone as if they're my own family. Truth be told, Maddie, Ava, Heather and I come together and say “COOL PEOPLE” before I go to work and it comes true for me every night.

Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas. May it be your best yet...happy, healthy and blessed....

Thanks for your continued love, support and encouragement over the years.

Be blessed in all you do…

Be love and love will surround you…

Inspire…

Love,

Ryan and the girls

Happy Friday - 5/20/2011 - "More than Coincidence?"

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Ever have one of those moments that simply sends chisels up your spine and makes every hair on your body stand up? Goosebumps clearly can't define what happened to me, or better yet, a few guests of mine last night.

If you've ever wondered or questioned if we are a part of something so much greater than what we can see with our bare eyes in this beautiful universe......then I hope this story will be a magnificent testimony and reminder.

Just last night, I met a MOTHER (in her 50's) and her DAUGHTER (in her 30's) sitting down at table 407, one of my dimly lit booths down at the BONEFISH. I walked over to welcome them to the restaurant when the MOM mentioned that they just flew in from NORTH CAROLINA. They were in town for a 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL SERVICE for her Husband, who had lost his life in the terrible NASHVILLE FLOODS only a year ago. She said that on that day, she wasn't sure where her husband went, but when the waters finally receded, she found him lying in the pasture on their farm.....lifeless. That's when she sold the farm and moved away to be with her DAUGHTER in North Carolina. I couldn't help but ask them both if they've felt his presence at all since his passing. They both replied with a resounding "NO"...and that they both wish that he'd "SEND THEM A SIGN"...and that "HE WAS ALWAYS A TALKER SO HE'S PROBABLY BUSY CHATTIN' AWAY SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN" ;-)

It was then, I noticed that my table adjacent to them needed refills. I excused myself and turned to table 409 where a nice family was in the middle of dinner. As I refilled drinks, I overheard the gentleman at the table ask his wife if she knew anybody that lived in RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.... he looked perplexed...as he gazed at his phone...then said it was probably just a wrong number. "WHY" she asked. He said, "Well, I don't know anybody from RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA and their was a message left with dead air."

Immediately I thought of the Mother and Daughter sitting only a table away just behind me. "Hadn't they just told me they were in from NORTH CAROLINA?" I thought. Surely they weren't from RALEIGH...that would just be too coincidental right?

Well, I was bound to find out. After their meal, as I spoke with the Mother and Daughter, I couldn't help but ask...."So what part of North Carolina did you say you were from?" The Mother looked at me with a grin and replied "RALEIGH". (INSERT GOOSEBUMPS HERE)

Should I keep this info to myself or tell them I pondered. I decided to tell them, since it seemed to coincidental to be true and well, if you know me, I have no shame.....So I told them both about the mysterious phone call the man had received at the next table........and slowly, the tears streamed down their faces....it was as if they finally felt his presence again....a presence they so longed for....

I looked them in the eyes and couldn't help but be consumed with overwhelming joy and elation that their wish had just come true on the eve of a Memorial for the love of their life....a loving, caring man........a gentle Father and caring Husband....

More than coincidence?

May all your days be filled with peace, joy, love and light with hope for a more beautiful tomorrow.........may you bless all those you come in contact with everyday.....may you continually inspire and uplift those around you...and be inspired by the continuous mysteries that life has to offer.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life ;-)

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire....

Ryan

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.ryannicholson.com

www.reverbnation.com/ryannicholson

Happy Monday!! 2.28.2011 R.I.P. Grandpa Dale

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today to let you know the world lost an amazing man last night. You won't hear about it on the news ....nor will they put his picture on the screen at any of next years awards shows as they pay tribute to the great people we lost in 2011....and though it's deserved, a flag will not be lowered in his honor, to pay respects to him for serving our country.

And....you probably guessed, the President will not be interrupting your T.V. Program this evening to ask for a moment of silence..........see.......he was a simple man.....one of the many millions upon millions of “UNKNOWN” hero's in our world. I'm sure you hold a man or woman like him close to your heart as my family does.

He was the husband of my amazing Grandmother, Ernestine (R.I.P).

He was a father to my beautiful mother Vicki, my Uncle Steve and Uncle Jim.....

He was my fishin' buddy back when I was just a boy (the 4-5 times we went)........

He was a man that served for our country (yes, he even fell off the aircraft carrier)......

He was my role model (minus all the cigarettes he smoked).......

He was a man with few words to say, but what he said resonated.....

He was a great neighbor always ready to help a friend....

He was the man who took us to Pic-a-dilly every time the family got together so I could get the yummy JELLO SQUARES..... ;-)

He was my friend....He was my HERO.....

He was....Grandpa Dale.

To pay tribute to Grandpa, I just uploaded a song that I'd like for you to have. It's called “What life is..." and was written after having a nice visit with him a few years back......may his words bless you as they did me.

Click here to listen: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7489729

I also posted my Happy Friday Email "HIStory" that went out Sept. 2010 after visiting with Grandpa.

Click here to read: http://www.ryannicholson.com/news.html

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire...

Lastly, call your Grandpa.... ;-)

Love,

Ryan

Happy Friday!! 1.28.2011 "The Luckiest Man Alive.."....

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800

First off, I hope this message reaches you in blessed spirits filled with hope and inspiration.

Like most people, we have one of those lil' inspirational calendars laying around the house that is usually open to a date from a few months back....but, if read, can give ya a little pep talk.....a new vision for the day. The Calendar we have is derived from the book, "Ask and it is given".

Yesterday, strolling by it, I decided that I need that lil' "booster shot in the soul". So of course, I moved it from November 15th to the current date.....January 27th and what I read was quite eye opening.....little did I know that I was about to encounter a man later in the day that "lived and breathed" the very passage.

The calendar passage I read, talked about how important it is to (I paraphrase)....."No matter what has come against you, make sure to live in the now with peace and happiness in your spirit....in your soul, but still desire and be eager for great and amazing things to come...."

It wasn't but about 4 hours later when I encountered a man and his beautiful family....."a divine appointment".....that has to uproot his entire family due to life threatening kidney failure....only months before he was "healthy as a horse" he said. The next.......the news came that if he didn't get a Kidney Transplant he wouldn't live much longer.

As he sat there sucking on an ice cube (because he can't drink a lot of fluids). He looked at his "autistic 13 year old"....he looked at his wife....then to me and said he was the "Luckiest Man Alive"....and knows this period in his life is only a stepping stone to amazing things.....and to healing...

I hope you have a beautiful and inspired weekend......happy with all that is....yet eager for many, many blessings to come.....and that this message blesses you as it did me.

Thanks for your friendship...

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire...

Ryan and the girls

Happy Sunday!! 12.26.10 - Happy New You!!

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Well, a New Year is upon us.

It was only a short 11 years ago now that I was packing my pantry with water and food wondering if my lights were going to go out as the clock struck midnight. Yes...it was 1999...soon to be 2000. Seems like yesterday doesn't it?

11 Years ago. 4,015 Days Ago. 96,360 Hours Ago. 5,781,600 Minutes Ago.

A lot can happen in 11 years.....

In fact, starting in 2000, if you had.....

....a child in Kindergarden, they'd almost be graduating High School

....a mortgage on a 15 year note, it'd be paid off in 4 more years

....started college part time, you would have graduated with a Bachelors degree and possibly a Masters by now.

....planted a tiny acorn, by now it could be a 22 foot tall mighty oak tree.

The above scenarios all have one thing in common, a "CONTINUATION" of something. Not starting something, then stopping for a lil' while, to start up again, then stopping....year after year.

Which brings me to New Year's Resolutions.

I heard the other day that....

- Only 8% of the population succeeds with their New Year's Resolutions

- 40% quit by the end of January....

- 80% quit by the end of February...

As we go about making our New Year's Resolutions this year, like we always do, I hope you'll join me in 8% category, even if it does take 11 years to achieve. Let's ask ourselves where we want to be in 11 short years from now? And start taking those steps "TODAY". And remember, you don't have to wait till January 1st either. ;-)

Want Credit card Debt paid off?

Mortgage paid off?

To be fit and healthy?

Want to go back to school and graduate from College?

Want to pursue a dream?

Go ahead...fill in the blank......I am going to_____________________....

The future is for you to build. One day at a time. One step at a time....to a NEW YOU.....

I came across Madelyn singing "SILENT NIGHT" from last year and at the very end, she says....

"HO,HO,HO....Merry Christmas...HAPPY NEW YOU!!!

The "HAPPY NEW YOU" resonates with me every time I hear it....

So Cheers to the next 11 Years, and to the year 2011...

"HAPPY NEW YOU!" from the Nicholson Family ;-)

Here's the link to hear Madelyn singing "SILENT NIGHT"

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_3005242

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire...

Ryan

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.reverbnation.com/ryannicholson

www.twitter.com/rynomusic

Happy Friday - HISstory

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Well, I made it to Arizona safely and had a pleasant visit with my Grandpa yesterday. I hadn't seen him in about 2 years and wasn't prepared for what I saw. He lost over 30 lbs and gave several blank stares like he was searching for what to say.

At one point, he felt "ALL" his pockets like days of old in search of his cigarettes. When asked what he was doing, he said....."I just bought cigarettes yesterday down at the store and can't find them". He's in the special care area at a care facility and has no access to a store with cigarettes and hasn't had one for a long while. When asked how he got to the store, he said, "I walked there yesterday" and continued..."It was only about 10 miles". At one point while having lunch, he pointed to a lady that looked eerily similar to my Grandmother who passed 2 years ago and said, "Ryan, did you see Grandma?" I questioned, "That's Grandma?" he looked at me with his gentle drooping tired eyes and said, "Yeah, I talked to her yesterday....she changed her name ya know...it is Carol". Of course that wasn't my Grandmother's name....Ernestine is a far far cry from Carol...doesn't even share a letter ;)

I continued the visit asking about his past...things he enjoyed, things he did....memories he had and it appeared for a moment Grandpa was back. Sharing the story about the time he "FELL" off the boat while in the NAVY. Yes....he fell about 42 feet into the deep waters below while painting the side of a Navy Aircraft Carrier........when asked of his favorite memory with Grandma he said, "what do you mean favorite?".....and continued...."they were all great!" Then he paused......the blank stare came back......I'm not going to lie, that one choked me up...and drowned my eyes a bit.....

We concluded the visit taking him back to his room with the bare white walls, walls that held not a single picture except for the old familiar one of him and Grandma....smiling in their SUNDAY best.....a picture I remember hanging in my own home as a child....a picture that will forever be tatooed in my mind......As I left, I gave him a big hug. Was it a last hug? Perhaps. Did we say our last words? Perhaps. Was it my favorite memory of Grandpa? No.......they're all great....

I pray this Happy Friday letter inspires you to reach out to your loved ones, your Grandparents....and that you may rekindle.

Be blessed in all you do..
Be love and love will surround you..
Inspire..

Ryan

P.S. I thank you dearly for your friendship...for your support and love...may you have a beautiful and blessed weekend........

P.P.S. If yer in Arizona this weekend, please come out and say hi at the show. I'll be at Borders Chandler Pavillions off of Ray and 54th Street....tomorrow night Saturday Sept 11th, 2010 - 7:00 P.M (FREE/ALL AGES)

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.twitter.com/rynomusic

www.reverbnation.com/ryannicholson

Happy Friday - FEB 26th 2010 - Persistency

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Wow, I can hardly believe it's been almost 2 years since I've sent out a Happy Friday letter. I remember really looking forward to sharing a lil' somethin' that had touched my spirit or inspired me the week prior.

Guess you could say I got busy...that seems to happen these days in this fast paced world eh? I do have a lil' excuse however....I had a lil' girl mizzzz "Madelyn Grace", then I ended up moving, then I had another little girl miss "Ava Faith". And just like that, we're 3 years down the road ;-)

If you're wondering why I'm writing one today, it's because several friends of mine keep emailing me, telling me how they miss the Happy Friday Letters and were wondering why I haven't sent one out in forever....some would call it nagging, I simply call it persistence....so here's to you my friends ;-)

Which brings me to today's Happy Friday topic....Persistency

My friends have proved to me, that if you want something bad enough, be a squeaky wheel and be persistent...afterall, they say the squeaky wheel gets the grease right?

Now of course you don't wan't to be so squeaky that ya need 3 cans of WD40 to fix ya up....just enough so that a lil' squirt will do.... ;-)

If you have kids & pets you know all about persistence - My little Madelyn Grace is the definition of persistence. Go ahead and look it up in Websters...her name will be right there - it reads:

Per Sis Tence - Madelyn G. Nicholson - "lil' squeaker that never gives up, falls down and gets right back up"

I've also had the fortunate blessing of living with a lil' Dachsund named Kiara (My First Daughter ;-) that over the years has taught me alot about persitency. She has this thing for wanting to sit in my lap while eating.....it goes a little something like this. She jumps in my lap, I'll set her back down. (This repeats about 12 times) and by the 13th, well, needless to say, she's cuttled in a ball back up on my lap while daddy finishes dinner. You've been there before I know ;-) It goes the same for playing, my goodness, pets love to play don't they?

So what am I tryin' to say? Well...I guess it's if ya want somethin' bad enough for you or for your family....give it your all....let's be more like our pets and our children....and look at life through their innocent "CAN DO ANYTHING" eyes. Somewhere along the way, I think we all have in a lil' way built a "WALL" around our potential...around our GIFTS....and every time we hit that "WALL" (some of us have hit it more than others) we find that it hurts.....and we give up....

Persistency teaches us that the "WALL" is our friend. For if the "WALL" wasn't there, we would never need to learn one of the most valuable lessons in life......."Persistency"

I hope this new year fills your heart with joy, laughter and memories you'll have forever.....

May you have a blessed weekend..

Be blessed in all you do..

Be love and love will surround you..

Inspire...

Ryan "ryno" Nicholson

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.reverbnation.com/ryannicholson (ALL FREE MUSIC)

Ava Faith Nicholson has arrived!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

She's here, it's official...Ava Faith Nicholson was born 7 lbs 8 oz & 20 1/4 inches long. Oh, and blue eyes like her Mummy....looks like she'll be a smart one since she already knows her ABC's, we'll have to attribute that to her big sis' Madelyn Grace Nicholson who ran around for the last nine months singin' ABC's ;-) Madelyn is now a big 2 and 9 months. Boy the time is a flyin', but life is good, all is well and happy. I'm still writin' when I get time but puttin' Daddy and Husband first and foremost on my resume. The songs still come however and music still holds a dear place in my heart so I play out when I can with some of the most wonderful and amazing people/friends a man could ask for. Nashville has been a blessing in our lives........can hardly believe it's been almost 5 years since moving to town.....what a ride!!! ;-)

If ya want to see picts, please visit my facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/rynomusic

Have a beautiful and blessed Friday!!

Hope your spirits are well....

Be blessed in all you do..

Be love and love will surround you..

Inspire...

Ryan

www.facebook.com/rynomusic

www.myspace.com/ryno

www.twitter.com/rynomusic

www.ryannicholson.com

"Thank You!!" is all I can say.......5.20.09

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tomorrow night is a very special night for me and I wanted to take a moment to say "Thank you" for your genuine support over the years. Without you, I would not be where I am today......

It all started out in Arizona....rockin' out with some friends of mine that decided to "start a band"....well...as you may know......I was told the band was breaking up.....then walked in on em' while they were practicing with a new singer.....never felt so hurt in my life....but looking back...I see there was a divine purpose. It lead me to some of the greatest musicians I've ever met...Pete Oliphant, Scott Bennedetto & Wayne Kandas. We all got together and started "Second Sight" what a priviledge it was to share the stage with those amazing men.

Once we decided to disband the band ;-) Pete Oliphant and I started an acoustic act "RYNO" (thank you hootie for the name) and played around Arizona for a few years, along with a very close friend Phil Rowe. (May you rest in peace Phil...I think of you often and your beautiful daughter and wife and still hear your voice and your amazing guitar work on our albums)

During this period I felt a longing for something....life just didn't feel right and I prayed to GOD, please let me live your will...it was at this point that I surrendered to his desire for my life and to follow his lead.....to open my heart and mind to his purpose for my life......All signs pointed to Nashville, TN

Since my time in here in Nashville, I've had some of the highest highs, and some of the lowest lows.....it's the roller coaster ride that most songwriters find ourselves on during the "JOURNEY"....ups and downs...it actually parallels life in a way...

I still remember that first year, those first few months were exciting and I was goin' "UP,UP,UP....positive...thinkin' anything is possible.... but then BAMMMM! I reached the peak and "DOWN I WENT" thinkin'.....I'm DONE!!....I don't belong here.....I went to a few writer nights, saw some of the big writers and honestly thought.....these writers are AMAZING....how could I ever even compare.

During these low points I was blessed to have met some of the greatest friends a man could ever meet.....friends/writers/artists....I began to find new life....a new family...new community.....new inspiration....many that told me.."stop tryin' to write like the hit writers and write like you". Together we walked hand in hand lifting each other up when we were down.......and were never to busy to push each other back down when our egos were getting to big (o.k. i'm only kiddin' bout' the latter) ;-)

So the day has come....my roller coaster is facing blue skies again.....anything really is possible if you just keep doin' what you love. "Lainey Edwards" one of the "friends/artists" I'm talking about, is playing a showcase for many RECORD Labels tonight at "THE RUTLEDGE"and is releasing her debut album "LUCKY GIRL". THIS album was produced by GRAMMY winning Producer "Brett Beavers" he produced multi-platiumn country artist "DIERKS BENTLEY"...and I'm happy to say I wrote 8 of the songs on it.

I write this letter to you today to say "THANK YOU!" for if it weren't for you, I might still be lookin' at some ugly "dirt"......instead of the "sunny blue skies!" I'm truly grateful our paths crossed and pray you too are having the ride of your life knowing that you too can do "ANYTHING!!" and if you're not, I hope you're ready to "HOP ON...and LET'S RIDE!!!"

Below is information regarding the SHOWCASE, If you have any friends or family out in Nashville, TN please feel free forward this info to let em' know.....afterall....any friend of yours is a friend of mine ;-)

Hope you're having a beautiful day.....and look forward to seeing you again someday very soon...

Be blessed in all you do...

Be love and love will surround you...

Inspire...

Ryan "ryno" Nicholson

Lainey Edwards (SHOWCASE) TONIGHT!!!!
*******FREE************
Save the DATE: Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Time: 6:00 P.M - 7:00 P.M (Please don't be late)
Where: The Rutledge
www.therutledgelmv.com

ADDRESS:

410 4th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone - (615) 782-6858

Lainey's website is - www.myspace.com/laineyedwards
My website is - www.myspace.com/ryno

Feel free to email me with any questions!!!!!!!