The other day I realized something about myself that I didn't care for very much. It was a subtle thing, but one I knew would really set me back if I didn't get it under control. A simple phrase that I kept hearing myself say over and over again. I would tell myself it was true, I would tell others so that I would believe it was true, but what I'm learning is that it is far from true. 

To help me, and hopefully you, I decided to talk about it. To bring it out into the light and call it what it is. So here it is, the one phrase we must stop using in 2020! I hope it's an encouragement to you. 

Enjoy! 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine about an idea I had and he said something that struck me to the core.  As we continued to talk I realized that I was silencing my own voice and it needed to stop. It's crazy how we are often blind to our own path in more ways than we would like to admit. During the conversation with my friend I realized I spend most of my time putting a frame work on my ideas, instead of working on bringing the idea to life. 

This week I wanted to share this conversation, as well as talk about some ways that I am working to NOT silence my own voice. I hope it encourages you in your creative journey today. With that said, remember that you are an artist and your voice is needed in this world more than you know, and you are love more than you could ever imagine. 

Now go #createyourart 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

A few years ago I decided to start choosing a word for the year. This was a simple way to tie my year together and stay focused each and every day. It's amazing to see how this little exercise has changed so much for me over the years. That is why I wanted to start season 2 off talking about my word for the year. 

It's hard to believe that we are living in 2020, but believe it or not...here we go. As we move into this year, have you ever chosen a word to help guide you through the year? Was it powerful or pointless for you? 

Happy New Year!!

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

This week I found myself doing something that I thought I would never do again. At first I wasn't sure how I would feel considering it was a dream that died a long time ago, but I have to say it was a lot of fun. Have you ever had a dream die but then suddenly come back to life out of nowhere? That's exactly the experience I was having this week when I found myself leading worship again for the first time in over a decade. 

It reminded me of a story in the gospels when Jesus brought a friend of his back to life. Someone who was obviously dead, but yet Jesus said otherwise. I'm finding myself coming back to life again and it's what I wanted to talk about in this week's episode of The Silent Creative. 

Enjoy. 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Growing up I always thought God would speak to me like how he spoke to people in the movies. The clouds would split and light would shine down from on high and James Earl Jones would start talking. Over the years I have learned that really isn't the way it works. He usually speaks when I take the time to stop, lean in and listen. And it unfortunately doesn't sound like James Earl Jones and more like myself.

This week I share about stepping back into leading worship and a "Selah" moment I had with a church community on Sunday. I have found time and time again that if I stop and listen, God can and will speak to me...and he is normally pretty encouraging and loving. So, will you join me in taking just a few moments and ask God what it is he is saying to you. 

Stop, lean in and listen. 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Growing up I loved building LEGO sets. My friends and I would spend hours making all kinds of crazy creations to play with. It was amazing! One time we spent days building a huge space ship which became the centerpiece for all of our adventures. Until one day, when I came home to find it broken into a thousand pieces. I was devastated and knew there was nothing I could do but rebuild it. 

Life can be that way sometimes. Our dreams or vision for the future can be going so well, only to wake up and find them shattered into a thousand pieces. What do we do with that? How do we rebuild with all of these broken pieces? Well, that's what we talk about in this episode of The Silent Creative. It's not easy and it takes some work, but I honestly believe (because I've been there) that we can build something beautiful from the broken pieces of life. 

Let's rebuild! 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Have you ever felt like there is something that you need to do, but you are really scared to embrace it? Maybe it's fear or maybe it's you simply don't want to do it. Whatever your reason is I must admit that I can understand that tension completely. In fact, that's exactly what I'm talking about in this weeks episode where I share a little bit more from the heart about some real life that I'm processing right now. I hope it resonates with you... 

The wrestle we all experience in life is such a funny thing. If we are honest, we hate the process but tend to love the outcome. I trust that as you listen to this episode you will be encourage as I share some of my observations on where I am in life right now.  

So let me ask... Is this you?

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Recently I was the best man at one of my good buddies wedding. I loved being apart of every part of the celebration from the bachelor party to the best man speech. I danced until my feet her and my shirt was soaked through. It was an epic night and I loved every minute of it. The next day I couldn't help but ponder why celebrating at a wedding is so inspiring. 

I can't help but leave a wedding or a party with friends feeling alive and loved. I believe it's really important to purposefully celebrate in life so that we can remember that being alive is good. That being human is good. No matter what you are facing today, learn to celebrate. 

So like the old song says, let's "celebrate good times, come on!" 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Alright, so I have a confession to make and I can pretty much guarantee that you might not like it. Here it goes; I loved Game of Thrones, even season 8. I know, I know... Crazy, right? I might be the only one, but man spending the last few years watching this story unfold was an absolute joy for me. The character development, the storyline, even the random and heart wrecking character deaths were brilliant. All around a great show! 

So in the wake of the season finally I wanted to share a few observations I have had about the making of the show and the response to the ending. As creatives, or as makers of anything, it's always hard to put your work out into the world. What if everyone hates it? Well, from what we can see from the response to the ending of Game of Thrones, you can pretty much guarantee that people will love and people will hate it...no matter what you do. 

With that said, here are a few lessons I learned from the Iron Throne. 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1

Inspiration is a funny thing isn't it? Often it's not the first thing we think about, but it quickly becomes the first thing we seek when we can't seem to find it. There are days that it feels like it's actually running away from us, leaving us defeated and unsure of what to do. I hate when inspiration plays hide and seek with me. Honestly, it kinda makes me angry. 

As I was thinking about this I wanted to come up with a few ways to stay inspired. I had a few ideas and I tried to see if they would work for me, and they did. They aren't rocket science, but like I've already said, you don't think about inspiration until it's gone. So let's learn to stay inspired everyday. 

What inspires you? How do you stay inspired? 

...

Music by Darren Cooper: darrencoopermusic.com 

Download my new interactive single, Finding Oasis for FREE here: https://goo.gl/Lp8ou1