Mansion in My Mind (Album Single)

#FreeDownload with a $1.00 donation for CaterinasClub.org of "Mansion in My Mind" to help end #childhunger A great #charity from the Anaheim White House Restaurant​!

Mansion in My Mind (Album Single)

Child Hunger Isn't a Party Issue, it's a Human One

I was shocked when I first learned that child hunger as reached such high numbers. The owner of The Anaheim Whitehouse, our friend, Bruno Serato, first opened my eyes on the subject. He told us that after he had visited The Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim and saw the children being fed chips as their last meal of the day, his concern deepened greatly and he had to do something for them. He then begun bringing meals to the Club every day to make sure these children would have a proper nutritious dinner. He would prepare wholesome meals out of his five star reviewed restaurant to make sure they at least got one good meal a day. He then learned that a lot of the children were living in motels. That their parents had suffered hardships and were no longer able to live in their own homes. 

It was when I was listening to his story over dinner that I felt compelled to help him as well. Bruno Serato, who was also nominated for CNN Hero of the Year, had loving named his charity, Caterina's Club, after his mother that he loves so dear. 

After having one of the most amazing meals of my life at his glorious restaurant, lightning struck my muse, and a song began to surge to the forefront of my mind. Even though I was raised with limited means, I always had a nutritious meal for dinner and a roof over my head to call my own. I couldn't imagine just how hard it must be for these children every day. And thus, the song was born, "Mansion in My Mind" was to be included on my 2012 album, Armor of Steel. This album delves into the many protective emotional armors we wear to protect ourselves from being harmed. As my praise for Bruno Serato grew, as well as my heart reaching out to these children who have to do without so much, the song began to take shape. I realized I was so inspired by his heroism, that he was providing the armor for these children to succeed in life and give families a chance. It was then it came to fruition, that all of us may have a "mansion" in our minds, our dream house and dream life, however all these children just want to go to sleep without hunger and have a bed to call their own. Bruno has provided a "Mansion" in their minds. The Anaheim Whitehouse has been their saving grace. And the hero, Bruno Serato has opened up his mansion to all of them. 

Bruno and his assistant were so gracious in receiving a song written for their dear Caterina's Club. This had definitely been a first for them! It was after this that I wanted to create a music video for the song, to help spread awareness of child hunger. That they do not only exist in Anaheim, California, but throughout our entire country. Child hunger is in our backyard, and shouldn't be ignored. There is so much we can do. For as little as $1, it can give children a dinner in which they wouldn't have had. 

The new music video for "Mansion in My Mind" will debut soon! As a way to help end child hunger, you will be able to download a copy of the song for only $1, and 100% of this dollar will go straight to Caterina's Club. To learn more about Caterina's Club, visit CaterinasClub.org. 

I hope you all enjoy the inspirational new music video and are inspired to help. Thank you for your attention and time. A hungry child thanks you as well.

Stay tuned at www.JoAnnMears.com & follow me on Facebook & Twitter!

"Private Rooms" choreographed by Robert Mills for Oklahoma City Ballet - An AHA Moment

With a gleaming stretch of white stage under the twinkle toes of an impressive ballet company, the dancers took the stage in this contemporary ballet that left me with tears on my cheeks. Lit iridescent pillars came down from the heavens and lit the stage in an ethereal and haunting glow. The unique movements hooked my attention from the start. The memorable and famous music captured my heart and mind. But in all the whirlwinds of each dancer, I found myself hypnotized by a soloist which was invisibly caged by the glowing rods of light. It was a dance of despair and vulnerability. Alone, he struggled with pain in his suffering, trapped in his aching temple of a body, but still kept moving as if it was the only thing that would keep him alive.

Then all of a sudden, an industrial light bulb floated down from the rafters, and he looked up at the caged bulb with hope. Hope he hadn't had before. Hope he had struggled without for such a long time. Then with a burst of awe, the bulb lit, and he stared enamored at the divine sign. It came towards his body laying on the ground. Thunderstruck, his body wrapped around the light like he had never seen such an amazing brilliance in all his life. He had such respect for this newfound hope; his body never even touched it. But in the ease his movements took, you could feel that his soul was urging to the edge of freedom. He was no longer trapped by the pillars of light that once held him. He circled each pillar, in shock that he had finally become free. Free to circle the traps that bound him. And only the divine spark of hope was the miraculous key that let his spirit sore.

I didn't even notice that many tears had streaked down my cheeks after his solo was over. But in that moment, I realized that he had perfectly encapsulated how I can feel given my Chronic Pain Syndrome I have lived with for seven years now.

We can all feel trapped and alone in moments of our own life. Where we feel that we are the only ones going through exactly what we are feeling. The loss of a family member. The end of a cherished friendship. The eternal suffering we can have to endure in this painful journey that can become our lives. The light bulb signified a hope from the divine for me. And however difficult our journey can become, we must never give up. As long as hope is there, we have a fire within us that can set us free from the emotional and mental cages that surround us. It reminds us that we are souls having a human experience, not a just soulful experience in our fragile bodies. Let the fire within you keep you dancing. There is nothing more important than this.

Thank you to the wonderful choreography of Robert Mills and the dancers of the Oklahoma City Ballet. It was truly a transcendent experience. I will never forget it.

www.JoAnnMears.com