Here we are at the dawning of a new decade *gulp* … and David’s insta live last night reminded me of how awesome the 2010s have been David-wise.

There are too many high points to even summarize, but I have been thinking of some of the surprises and gifts we’ve received, that we couldn’t even have imagined 10 years ago.

Here’s my Top 10 list:

#1) The music, man

When The Other Side of Down came out in 2010, I (of course 🙂 ) listened to it on repeat … esp. my faves, TOSOD, Elevator, Stomping the Roses and Good Place. Not, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined the incredible music David would go on to release later in the decade.

Postcards? Shine A Light? Winter in the Air? Christmas Every Day? PARALYZED???!!!!

I mean, come on!

I knew he’d just keep getting better and better but these incredible songs blew my mind… in the best way.

#2) Man on a mission

Hey, I confess I was not a happy camper when David announced his mission. I believe I was in the fetal position under my desk for like a month.

But I got over it. Eventually.

And now it’s beautiful to see what an incredible change it made in David’s life. How he blossomed from the experience. How it’s given him renewed purpose and helped him truly find himself.

#3) Social butterfly

Remember David’s classic “Hush cats” tweet? Those were the glory days of David on Twitter. The glory days of Twitter PERIOD.

But now, it’s incredible to see how David’s embraced Instagram, its stories, IGTV, since he’s been back … it’s like they were made for him!

And not just for news and updates, but for sharing what’s on his mind, covers he’s into, random fun stuff. And it’s helped us see what a deeply thoughtful person David is… a real thinker and ponderer (if that’s a word 🙂 )… I’ve lost count of the nuggets of wisdom he’s shared that I’ve written down on post-it notes, tucked all around my place.

#4) Story time with David

I remember at the first Tuacahn show, David apologizing for talking too much and the audience shouting, “DON’T STOP!” When one guy in the crowd tried to encourage him to keep going with a story, David joked, “That’s the wrong thing to tell me, buddy!” 🙂

Thank goodness, he’s picked up on how much we love hearing what he has to say just as much as we love to hear him sing.

There’s no other artist that I could listen to in concert like that… even if I’ve heard the story before, David is so genuine and real that it’s like I’m hearing it for the first time.

#5) That voice!

David’s voice has always been perfection but there’s something about the way he sings now that’s better than ever. Right?? Not just me??

I don’t know if it’s his greater life experience, or warmups, or climate of Nashville, but I really do think he sounds better than ever.

Maybe he connects even more to the songs he’s been writing this decade, I don’t know. But what I do know is that whether I’m there live, or have my headphones on, it’s like warm lava rivers of joy flowing through me.

#6) Sharing is caring

Chords of Strength was published in 2010. I loved reading every page. And watching the videos from his book tour.

But clearly that book merely scratched the surface of David’s early life.

It’s incredibly inspiring how he’s opened up and shared even more about himself in songs like Upset With Me), instagram posts like this one, on his most recent tours, and interviews like this one:

[Sidenote: When I went to youTube to find the link for this interview, I saw this comment on it from just two weeks ago:

“He carries an innocence and a guilelessness that the world so rarely sees any more. It’s refreshing to know that there are still people in the world like this. So many are posturing, trying to be sophisticates, or to showcase their sarcasm – and here he is being real and transparent and vulnerable. Just “wow!” I have tons of respect and admiration for him.” yes, yes and YES!!!!!]

David’s sharing about how much therapy has helped him is such a great message to help remove the stigma around mental health… for young people and for all of us, really.

Maybe the next decade will bring another book… or podcast… or something new around the corner??

#7) Buh, bye comfort zone!

Although we all fell for the adorkable American Idol David, hesitations, awkward pauses, and all, it’s so cool to see David now so comfortable in his own skin.

Literally! lol

Seriously though, who would’ve pictured David posting this even two years ago??

If you’ve got it, flaunt it, I say… he works hard to stay healthy and fit so sure, why not share the fruits of that labour? You know my motto: “Give the people what they want” 🙂

But over these past 10 years, he’s been pushing himself out of his comfort zone in so many ways… Nandito Ako??? TONS of public speaking??? Coming to Canada??? (kidding!!!! sort of 😉 )

#8) Nashville, y’all

Who could’ve dreamed 10 years ago that David would end up in Nashville?? You did? okay, sure.

Seriously though… now it seems like the perfect place for him! Such a laid back vibe. So much music. Great people and culture.

But 10 years ago, everyone seemed to presume he’d either be in L.A. or back in Utah.

It’s great to see the songwriters he’s been able to work with, how happy he looks there, and those Franklin shows have been super special, each and every one. There’s just something magic in the air there, I swear.

I miss Betty, the Tollbooth Lady, but I’m sure she’s enjoying her privacy again, lol.

#9) Embracing the past

To be honest, I am surprised at how David has embraced all of the “deep cuts” of his career to date… from Idol to Crush … even Hannah Montana!

I used to think maybe he’d want to distance himself from those early years but I am so glad he hasn’t. In fact, he totally has fun with it and celebrates those times, which a lot of fans still hold dear.

I still see tweets saying, “wow, he’s a real person, I thought he was just a character on iCarly” hahahaha.

#10) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Ya, so I don’t actually have a number 10, lol, so I will take this opportunity to wish you all a very very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

I love the reflective questions David posed in his stories today… “how the past decade shaped you”… and “what do you have envisioned for the next decade”… (and he archived them HERE, yay!!).

This is how he wrapped it up:

As always, he leaves us intrigued, hypnotized and oh so mesmerized!! GO DAVID!!! BRING ON 2020!!!!

How about you guys?? Thoughts???

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!!