We all want it.

Whether it is more in our wallet, on our front lawn, or in our dreams, human beings seem almost constructed to assume (even to TRUST) that there is more-better-happier somewhere else.

For someone else.

Which is why my friend and fellow singer-songwriter Shellee Colley hits a slam-dunk home run with her single “Green”, which hails from her soon-to-be-released album “Where it Began”.

"Where It Began" by Shellee Coley

Probably my favorite line in the song is: If you’d just share your secret with me – Then life would really be a dream

The truth is, we all think each other has the secret. The truth is, there is no secret. There is only life, and each of us, and all of us living life together.

I love this song because “Green” really captures how important it is to check out our assumptions about how good others have it. Not because we want to discover others are either less or more hurt, sad, or lonely than we feel. Far from it!

Rather, once we strip away our distancing assumptions about each other, we can either connect to learn from others how their lives became so green and fulfilling, or we can connect to offer our compassion and care as they grow tiny seeds of hope with our support.

I am so proud of Shellee. With each self-penned song on her new album, she tackles the tough stuff – but with so much grace, humor, heart, and hope that by the time you’re done listening, your cup is full to overflowing.

My beautiful friend Shellee

She is also a beautiful human being (inside and out) with a humbleness that sometimes seems fleeting in the image- and me-conscious music and entertainment industry.

It is also worth mentioning here that when seen live in concert, Shellee can sweep you away on a journey that lasts from the first note all the way to the last. If you want to experience it for yourself, head over to Warehouse Live (Houston, TX) on Friday, March 2nd or Sparkle Event Hall (Conroe, TX) on Saturday, March 3rd for her double-header CD release party which is going on all weekend long.

p.s. To hear an audio clip of Shellee’s story behind the song and to stream it, visit her website by clicking HERE

Family. Seriously. Who on earth else can you gift with a giant stuffed Orca whale on Valentine’s Day, and have it be given the place of honor on the living room fireplace?

Speaking. I’m about to go do some and I always enjoy it.

Truffles (my V-day gift from the folks).

The amazing team I work with at MentorCONNECT. Seriously – they rock my world.

Pearl. This little winged gal IS my world.

Travel.

Coming home.

Rolling suitcase bags. The lazy gal’s way to travel (I have quite a collection of them).

Including my amazing sister-in-law who is also an amazing photographer.

Erin Byrns-Cutts is chief photographer and CEO of Pure Wonder Photography.

She also happens to be lucky enough to have the three most photogenic subjects ever.

Who also happen to be my niece and nephews. Shocker, I know.

Eli:

Teagen:

And Gavin:

INcredible.

Check out Pure Wonder Photography here: http://purewonderphotography.com/

Since Pearl and I both agree that Grape Nuts cereal is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I wouldn’t say I inherited that gene.

But that doesn’t mean Pearl (or I) can’t appreciate fine home-cooked cuisine.

Supervising the chef.

Pearl also isn’t above volunteering to be the official “sampler”…especially when the sample promises to be crunchy and crumble easily.

A homemade pizzelle fresh from Mom's new waffle iron

As it turns out, Pearl is not the only volunteer at the Cutts residence.

The other supervisor.

Once JP Morgan (my folks’ bottomless dachsund) figured out that Pearl was a pet not a snack, they agreed to tag-team Mom whenever tasty snacks were around!

St. Francis of Houston feeds her "flock"

As soon as we got there, she pulled me into a bedroom, powered up her bro’s laptop (no it’s not what you’re thinking) and whispered, “You have GOT to see this!”

And there they were. Hot pink, Big Bird yellow, and a big hot hunk o’ burning hippie love singing lead.

If you’re not smiling after this vid, you might want to consider calling in sick.

Manamanahs