The 'California Dreamin' Chronicles of Kris - 04/28/09

Hi All,
Greetings from my living room floor! That's right...K. Carter is back in town. I've actually been physically on the East Coast for a week, but I'm just getting back "here." From the airport to the Making the Band office to making sure Diddy gets to the stage (without actually speaking to him EVER) to taping the second installment of The Chronicles of Kris to planning my Family Reunion, it's never ending. But it's Tuesday, a bright, sunny, gorgeous happy last Tuesday of the month. BLLESSSSSINNNGGSS to all. :)

Sometimes you just need a breather and LA definitely was that! I thought I would just be going out there to pitch my work, but I came home with so much more than that. I managed to break down and purchase my first iPod - this is a big accomplishment considering I had no problem running in the park with my UFO (aka my walkman). I got the opportunity to hang out with my father for the first time ever in life. A third and major highlight - I hung out with Damion Hall from Guy! You all know I am the ultimate 90s pheen queen so I was pretty freakin excited about that.

But the ultimate experience was getting in touch with Gina Prince Bythewood (writer of "Love & Basketball"), Reggie Bythewood (writer of "Biker Boys" / "Notorious"), and Yvette Lee Bowser (creator of "Living Single"). I didn't receive their phone calls until the day before I left LA...so there was a twinge of "fear" that I would leave LA having NOT accomplished my goal. Although I managed to speak with a few people in LA, I was praying to hear from the Bythewoods so it was a thrill to not only hear from them but to speak to them pretty much throughout my entire last day on the West Coast.

When Reggie called, he shared his experiences as a writer/producer in the industry. But through our conversations that day, the one thing that stood out to me was, "You say you want a mentor...mentor yourself. Your experiences will lead you and inform you." He offered to keep in touch, provide feedback, and stay in close contact, but he did not offer or claim to know the "right way." No matter where I walk, I am receiving the same messages. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." "The questions will answer themselves." And lastly, "THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT WAY."

Previously, I've concentrated so much attention on doing things just so. "If I do this, I can get here. If I think this way, I'll definitely end here. If I CONTROL this, I can get just what I want." And actually, that way of thinking worked for me for a long time. I made "minor" mistakes but nothing too ego-shattering. But with bigger goals comes bigger risks, bigger challenges, bigger mistakes, and bigger life lessons. And no matter where I have turned (especially this particular year), it's all coming back to learning how to open up, allow, and receive the greatness that is here...when I, you, we are ready. For those who are there as I take my baby steps, thank you...even when I fight and scream and yell and holler, you manage to still be there. Thank you.

Love, Live, Laugh! And write back. :)

Kris