I’m Alive

“All I ever wanted was to find something

More than just a feather from a broken wing

And you tell me I’m here

And you say I’ll survive

But I’m searching for more

To know that I’m alive”

– Mark Wilkinson –

Not long after I moved to Sydney I was strolling through the market in The Rocks on Saturday afternoon with a friend. We were looking for something nice for lunch and along the way I stumbled across something magical, something unexpected and very beautiful. A voice.

Being a keen fan of music, and especially live music (in whatever form), I was pleasantly surprised to find a busker. Now, buskers are ten-a-penny in most big cities, and when I was living in London, I always used to love spending time in Covent Garden watching street performers for hours. However, this guy was on a another level. His voice was so striking, so unique, so beautiful, it seemed like that of an angel.

I was completely and utterly stopped in my tracks, and in that moment, forgot that I was hungry. When I then remembered that I was, I went and grabbed something to eat quickly and came right back to the spot that I first heard him and stood there for a good 20 minutes while I ate, mesmerised by his singing and guitar playing. The majority of the songs he played were covers, with a few of his thrown in for good measure. And when he stopped for a break, I went and said hello, thanked him for such a beautiful performance and bought a CD, which he very kindly signed for me.

Most importantly, I wanted more. When could I see him do a proper gig live? Glancing down at the piece of paper showing his upcoming Sydney dates I saw that both were sold out, and I keenly asked if he had plans for any more. He then told me that he was playing a small venue in Manly the following Friday, but that I should be quick as tickets were nearly sold out for that too.

I called the venue later that day and luckily they had one table left, which I grabbed. I took a group of friends along, promising them that they’d love his music, which they did. That night, he played a song, that I hadn’t seen him busk, which has now become my favourite and a song I listened to a lot last year for inspiration when I was setting up my business.

It was the last song in his set and he sang it with such passion, energy and gusto it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end. Literally one of the most powerful and intoxicating performances of a song I had ever seen. You knew that he meant every single word that he was singing.

So, why am I telling you about this? I’m telling you because, when I was in the shower this morning thinking about what I would write about in my blog, this song came to mind.

I want my blog to be inspiring, uplifting, positive and to incentivise people to take action and do things that make them feel good and feel happy that they’re alive. And I think this song does all of those things. It’s funny how your entire day can be turned around within 3 minutes and 41 seconds.

So, do enjoy Mark’s music. It really is very special. And, if you’re ever in Sydney on a Saturday afternoon and stuck for something to do. Skip down to The Rocks in the afternoon and you’ll find him there. The chance to see such an incredible talent, for free, is a wonderful gift.

Lots of love, hugs & light,

Kat x x x

P.S.

Inspiration for this post

The video for Mark Wilkinson’s ‘All I Ever Wanted’