With time, even the deepest of wounds shall heal…

I can’t predict the future. Nor would I want to. In life, i’ve learned it’s the random occurrences that really puts things in perspective. Those days when things just go your way, and those day you wish soon to forget. I like not knowing. In a way, it’s like every morning is a fresh start. A clean canvas and only you are the painter. You decided the outcome of the portrait. Not your friends, your family, your relationship, your husband or wife, but you. No matter where you are, no matter how amazing the day was prior or dreadful the week was, when you wake up that  ever so important decision to be happy, is simply up to you.

It’s hard to let go of the past. I understand. It’s those old memories that seems to pop up when least expected, when all you wish for is to simply forget. Those feelings that seem to follow you wherever you go. All you want to do is be happy, but at times your mind has other plans. I get it. The world gets it. Just remember, it gets better.

See, it’s the moment when you finally let go of the past so that you can live for the present which in turns will allow you be happy for the future. But it starts today, and it’s up to you. That is the secret. Maybe I can predict the future, or maybe it’s not the future we are predicting, but simply ensuring your own personal perfect ending.

We all have it in us, it just all starts with a smile.

"Inner Peace" Goes Into The Film World

When you write music, especially for a record you always wonder who will end up listening, how far will it go, and of course, how people will receive it. Luckily my first record was well received. The critics said great things and above all the fans enjoyed it. But now with the second record available, would it live up to the hype and surpass it, or just be another record released.

I put my heart and soul in everything that I do. That includes the music I write, and I do my best so that it comes across that way when it's recorded. Cause then again...you really never know who's listening.

A few weeks ago I was contact by Ben Crowe, a well respected, award winning film director based out of the U.K. He heard the title track of my latest record "Inner Peace" (Turnaround Records 2010) and wanted to use it for a scene for his upcoming film. I'm pleased and beyond words in telling all of you that it has come to fruition.

This is something I've always dreamed about happening and I feel this is only the beginning.  The films title is Verity's Summer and it's do out in a few months in a number of film festivals. I can't thank Ben and his producer Emma enough for wanting one of my compositions in the film.

See the thing about being positive and believing in yourself is that it has the power of opening doors that may not show itself until you do. Positive attracts positive. You yourself, generally are the only one holding yourself back. The biggest wall to climb, the excuses your mind can come up with, the countless reason why you shouldn't because that just might be easier. The moment you leave that mindset behind is the moment you begin to live.

A quote that I once read speaks volumes to me as I write to you. "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not" -Author Unknown

So though I am truly excited for this opportunity, the thoughts and dreams I have for the future excited me just as much. I won't stop just to be the norm, instead I will continue to reach my dreams regardless of peoples ideas of what is possible and impossible.

What will be next for the life of Albert Rivera, his music and his life? I can only imagine, but for now, I'll have a smile, and give myself a pat on the back for what I consider.. a job well done.

A letter about life written by the great Napoleon Hill

I hope that everyone who takes a moment to read this letter becomes inspired as I did, as I continue to do. I am grateful for being able to learn from Napoleon Hill. For teaching people that helping...is the greatest wealth of all.

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       "Life, you can’t subdue me because I refuse to take your discipline too seriously. When you try to hurt me, I laugh-and the laughter knows no pain. I appreciate your joys wherever I find them; your sorrows neither frighten nor discourage me, for there is laughter in my soul.

       Temporary defeat does not make me sad. I simply set music to the words of defeat and turn it into a song. Your tears are not for me, for I like laughter much better, and because I like it, I use it as a substitute for grief and sorrow and pain and disappointment.

       Life, you are a fickle trickster-don’t deny it. You slipped the emotion of love into my heart so that you might use it as a thorn with which to prick my soul-but I learned to dodge your trap with laughter. You tried to lure me with the desire for gold, but I have fooled you by following the trail which leads to knowledge instead. You induced me to build beautiful friendships-then converted my friends to enemies so you may harden my heart, but I sidestepped your figure on this by laughing off your attempts and selecting new friends in my own way.

      You caused men to cheat me at trade so I will become distrustful, but I won again because I possess one precious asset which no man can steal-it is the power to think my own thoughts and to be myself. You threaten me with death, but to me death is nothing worse than a long peaceful sleep, and sleep is the sweetest of human experiences-excepting laughter. You build a fire of hope in my heart, then sprinkle water on the flames, but I can go you one better by rekindling the fire-and I laugh at you once more.

     You have nothing that can lure me away from laughter, and you are powerless to scare me into submission. To a life of laughter, then, I raise my cup of cheer!”

Napoleon Hill