Credit: Tumblr/ohnopurple.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
~ Howard Thurman
I wasn’t really surprised when David made his announcement last December. I was, however, a little surprised. A few other uber fans had told me months prior, right after Twitter Gate occurred, that they KNEW he was going to announce such. I was definitely in the ‘It Won’t Happen’ camp. Duh on me. Ha! Ha! Ha!
It’s good to be wrong. Humble pie eaten periodically is quite beneficial and certainly a healthy mental diet nutrient.
Yet when he announced his hiatus from the music world for a 2 year mission, it did make a lot of sense. It was certainly an “A-Ha” moment. A culmination of what was, what is and what will be, all swirled together like a multi-flavor soft serve ice cream cone ready for consumption. With those new flavors intertwined, what would we fans find palatable? It became a time to catch up to what is and then taking up the opportunity during this hiatus to get to what will be, whatever that ends up being.
Being a David fan at this most definitely outrageous level has created a ton (to the Nth degree) of personal awareness. Certainly charitable giving has come to the forefront in many fans’ consciousness.
David has brought to his fans attention since his American Idol debut in 2008 charitable causes such as ChildFund, Invisible Children, DoSomething.org, Habitat For Humanity, Lisa Lopes Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Music for Relief, Stand Up To Cancer, We Are The World Foundation, Rising Star Outreach, Angels for a Cause and others.
Like most of you I have had a lifetime of being devoted to cherished charitable causes. Along comes David and my antennae evolve to new heights, develop novel sensors. Yes, the world has expanded and there is now a rich magnitude of awareness and a fresh depth of joy in charitable giving.
I have come to the conclusion that David is as devoted to others in need as he is to his music. That passion resonates profoundly. It echoes exquisitely through the depths and breadth of one’s spirit and soul.
Credit: Fans of David
With his new album BEGIN., and the snippets that most of us have enjoyed, I am all the more inspired to continue to expand my awareness of the needs of those in need.
BEGIN. is indeed a concrete message of a new launch. “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change….”
In the 90 second snippet, “Broken” evokes the sense of wanting to help, to heal. The covers are raw emotion on the grill, flaming up with bursts of beauty, rare, tender giving, open, vulnerable, and so melodiously real for all to view and consume.
And, finally, it is for us to enjoy the evolution of David Archuleta, the Musician, the Singer, the Missionary and the Philanthropist. A life lesson in the giving of oneself….“I’m Gonna Make A Change…Gonna Make A Difference, Gonna Make It Right . . .”
Remembering………..
Somos el mundo, nosotros somos el pueblo….We are the world, we are the people….
And……
Things are Gonna Get Better
Although Walt Whitman is credited with these words, David, too, could lay claim:
Behold I do not give lectures or a little charity, when I give… I give myself.
— Kizzi
P.S.
David on BEGIN. — Part 2:
More info:
While in the studio recording the BEGIN. album David talks about the next 2 years, the decision he has made and what some of the challenges he might face.
Tags: (whoa, these really look like David tags 🙂 )
David Archuleta BEGIN. Next two years Home Challenges Excited
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
well said kizzi
😀
Awesome post, Kizzi! Loved every word, esp. “I have come to the conclusion that David is as devoted to others in need as he is to his music.” I think you’re spot on there, and when he’s been able to merge the two together, it’s a beautiful thing… my favourite of those times I think was the Invisible Children event. I listen to the whole thing on my iPod a lot. Love hearing not just the songs but his heartfelt words about the cause. You’re so right… “That passion resonates profoundly.” 🙂
Wow, Kizzi! This is very beautifully said. Thank you!
I really like this…
“Behold I do not give lectures or a little charity, when I give… I give myself.”
… truely a David type thought.
Loved this post, Kizzi! “Awareness” is exactly the right word for what David Archuleta has done for many of us in regard to compassion and generosity. He raised the bar and upped the ante. When it comes to helping others, no act of kindness is beneath David. Thank you for a beautiful article.
Really loved your post too Kizzi! Especially loved this “I have come to the conclusion that David is as devoted to others in need as he is to his music. That passion resonates profoundly. It echoes exquisitely through the depths and breadth of one’s spirit and soul.”
The two definitely go hand in hand and are such a big part of David’s beautiful expression.
It was great revisiting those beautiful videos again, thankfully we have many to choose from!
I actually watched the Invisible Children’s concert video earlier today….fabulous.
I am glad that David is doing what his heart tells him to do at this time in his life. It may not be right for everyone but it certainly is for him and that’s what makes me happy for him. He must have felt strongly and deeply that it was time to BEGIN. this new chapter in his life….and of course it is all about loving, giving and sacrifice. Quite the guy.
Thanks for your wonderful post Kizzi!
FYI, new BTS BEGIN. vid from David… I included at the end of Kizzi’s post above. 🙂
Thank You Kizzi!! I’ve given to more charities and gifted more than I ever have in my life (and it’s a long one, thankfully) since following David. He and his fans have definitely been an inspiration. I’m glad I decided to go to David’s last two MKOC concerts, even though hearing his announcement was difficult emotionally at first. Like you I had heard the rumors during Twittergate and subconsciously knew I needed to go to those concerts. I was somewhat at peace with David’s decision after briefly chatting with his Mom, Sunny and others after the SLC concert and writing a letter to him between SLC and BC. The BC concert was a celebration and hearing him sing Heaven seemed a Full Circle Moment.
David’s Vlogs and Music continue to be a Gift. I am inspired to become a better person. Today’s Vlog shows me that David needed to follow his heart which is what brought him to us through Idol. I can’t wait for the person David becomes during this time of Servic and likewise what kind of person I can become.
Maybe I even picked up Rambling from David!! 🙂
(((Kizzi))) Love this! “Being a David fan at this most definitely outrageous level has created a ton (to the Nth degree) of personal awareness.” >>> definitely true! (also just wanted to say, love saying that come from math hahaha. “To the Nth degree” … Always makes me smile 🙂 )
Also looovveeee that TAGGB video. One of my favs <3333
Math rocks! and, therefore, so do math teachers 😀
A very special post Kizzi and always enjoyable to read!
Well if we can’t get together and say ‘Hi’ then we can do as David does and still find our ways of connecting. It might not be an after concert get together that you are hosting (like the one that is stored in my memory), but lovely just the same!
SB
I am very content in knowing the artists who David admires such as Simon & Garfunkel and the Beatles along with many more. They sing with a purpose and not entirely lament love here or there, lost or stolen. David will hopefully, always want to reflect his worldly thoughts through his music and in turn we will know more because of that.
SB
Great post, Kizzi. Well I’m so out-of-it, I didn’t even know there was a Twitter-gate. Duh. But I did have some peeps tell me they were sure he was going on a mission & since I was in “major denial” or “wishful thinking” or “out-of-it”, I’ve been eating my own humble pie here. It makes me feel better that others have had to eat that pie, too, and also TOfan’s previous post about “Let It Be” which also made me feel better that I’m “not the only one” who has had those feelings.
Right after I read your post, I went to run on the treadmill and the first song that popped up on my mp3 was “Works For Me”. I started thinking about the words in the context of David making his decision about going/not going on a mission. I don’t know if that’s what he really was thinking about when he wrote it, but it fits so well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X72x9kiDJFo&fmt=18 Might as well watch that little gem and this is one of my favorite performances of him singing it.
I’m saying to David: If it “Works For You” then it “Works For Me”! I’m still going to “Let It Be” and “Trust the Archuleta”. #DA2014
Thanks Bleubird19 to posting Works For Me!! Love it!! I was fortunate to be there for this performance :)) Nice connection to the present :))
Amen Kizzi. “Being a David fan at this most definitely outrageous level has created a ton (to the Nth degree) of personal awareness.” This has been most true for me. Before departing on his mission David gave us the ‘tools’ to look inside ourselves, to grow emotionally and spiritulally if you will. This two year hiatus will be huge for David and for many fans huge as well. I look on it as a positive time to reflect and grow WITHOUT the distraction of trying to keep up with what David would have be doing had he not gone on a mission.
Hope this make sense… out of time
{{{{{{Awestruck}}}}}} Miss you girl. Yes, it makes sense.
Ray, TOfan, ArchuG, tawna21, Pepper, HeidiJoy, Bleubird, SandyB – thank you for taking a moment to comment. I don’t write posts much anymore but it remains a real thrill to get comments. 😀
🙂
Thank you for an awesome post, Kizzi….such an enjoyable read:))
Amen to this! —> “I have come to the conclusion that David is as devoted to others in need as he is to his music. That passion resonates profoundly. It echoes exquisitely through the depths and breadth of one’s spirit and soul.”
{{{{canarchaudry}}}} Good to hear from you!
Breaking news! Apparently there are different snippets HERE … I can’t tell for obvious reasons, so if you do listen & they are different, please let us know! 🙂 🙂 🙂
From the amazing JR4DA:
“Combined iTunes’ 90-sec clips w/ Amazon’s 30-sec clips & what do we have? 105-sec clips of BEGIN. trax! Check it out!”
More breaking news!!!!
Anyone else feel like dancing?!?!?!?
Plus:
Ack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes the snippets are new!!!!! eeeeek Broken is AMAZING David is genius IMO and this dude Jon sounds like a great writer for him> I guess you are a lyric virgin too TOfan, they are very poignant **sniff**
((((Kizzi)))) love your post (miss YOU) You have such a beautiful way with words….”“Broken” evokes the sense of wanting to help, to heal. The covers are raw emotion on the grill, flaming up with bursts of beauty, rare, tender giving, open, vulnerable, and so melodiously real for all to view and consume.” So well put!!
I am not around much cause my mom is having some health issues….. but it is great to see you all here ***waves*** to everyone!
Ref!!!! Miss you too. Hope your Mom’s health improves quickly.
bah^^^^ me, refnaf
(((HUGS)))
Hello all… and boo me for my absence
Still adoring David, so no change there. I don’t know where my brain has been, but my heart hasn’t left the Archie-community ❤ Just thought I'd offer you consolance by posting a video from my band's gig earlier this month. The song is "With or without you" and it sums up my feeling about David's absence really well. Hope you can relate, or atleast enjoy.
embe!!!!! *waves* you’re such a good singer!! (gotta ask why some of your audience is dressed like peas in a pod?? lol)
New post/thread!
🙂