When the Universe Gives You Time

Summer has always felt different to me.

Maybe it’s the warmth of the sun on my face, the feeling of cool grass beneath my bare feet, or the way the world seems to slow down just enough to remind us that life isn’t meant to be rushed. This summer, though, has carried a different kind of lesson.

Being laid off wasn’t part of my plan.

Like most people, my first thoughts were about bills, finding another job, and wondering what came next. At my age, the job market isn’t exactly welcoming. It can be discouraging, and there have certainly been moments where I’ve questioned everything.

But somewhere between the worry and uncertainty, the universe quietly handed me something I didn’t realize I desperately needed.

Time.

Time to breathe.

Time to think.

Time to heal.

And most importantly, time with my beagle, Buster.

My sweet “Beagle Butt,” or as I call him, BB.

Being alone gives you an incredible amount of time to think.

At first, the silence can be overwhelming. You replay the past, worry about the future, and wonder where life is taking you next. But after a while, something changes. You begin to notice the little things. You appreciate another sunrise, another cool summer breeze, another night spent looking up at the moon, another chance to feel the earth beneath your feet. You begin to appreciate simply being alive.

Most of all, I’ve had time with my best friend.

BB isn’t just my dog.

He’s my soul dog.

He’s been my constant through some of the hardest years of my life. Over the past almost five years, I’ve lost so much. I’ve lost friends. I lost my mom. I lost my little Pugbug. Then Buster and I mourned together when we had to say goodbye to his brother, Vic. Through every tear, every quiet night, every moment when the house felt just a little emptier, BB was there. Sometimes he didn’t have to do anything except rest his head on my leg to remind me I wasn’t completely alone.

Watching him grow older is something I’m not ready for. Every gray hair, every slower step, every nap that’s a little longer than the last reminds me that our time together is precious. I know the day will come when my best friend has to leave this world to join Vic, Pugbug, and all the cats that have left paw prints on my heart, and I know it will be one of the hardest goodbyes I’ll ever face.

Had I still been working every day, I would have missed so many of these moments. The quiet mornings. The afternoon naps with him snoring beside me. The beagle bark. The silly conversations that only a dog and their human understand.

Because life unexpectedly slowed down, I’ve been given something priceless, time I would have otherwise missed.

Maybe that’s another lesson the universe has been trying to teach me.

Time is the most valuable gift we can ever receive, and love is measured far more by moments than by years.

Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually the universe gently redirecting us.

I’ve spent a lot of time sitting outside listening to the birds, watching the sunrise, grounding myself barefoot in the grass, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face, and simply thinking. Thinking about who I am now, what truly makes me happy, and how I want to spend whatever chapters I have left to write.

The answer keeps coming back to the same things.

Music.

Nature.

The Earth.

The Universe.

My pagan/spiritual path.

Healing.

Community.

Creating.

For years I’ve spent my life lifting up independent musicians, organizing shows, promoting artists, writing blogs, sharing stories, and doing everything I could to help someone else’s dream become reality.

I’ve never regretted a second of it.

Will I continue working with bands?

Absolutely.

It’s in my blood.

Music has always been part of who I am, and I can’t imagine a life where I’m not supporting artists, discovering new talent, or standing side stage watching dreams come true.

That passion will never leave me.

Just like making my crystal healing bracelets.

Just like looking up at the moon and feeling completely alive.

Just like staring into the endless universe and remembering how small we are, yet how connected we all are.

Just like walking barefoot on the earth and feeling grounded.

Just like telling the people I love that I love them and making sure they know I’m always here for them.

Those things feed my soul.

For so many years I’ve poured everything I had into everyone else.

My family.

My friends.

The bands.

The fans.

My community.

The people who simply needed someone in their corner.

And if I’m honest…

I would do it all over again.

But somewhere along the way, I forgot that I mattered too.

Maybe this chapter isn’t about starting over.

Maybe it’s about finally choosing myself.

Maybe the answer isn’t just one business.

Maybe it’s two.

One that nurtures the soul, a place filled with crystal healing bracelets, intention jars, affirmations, handcrafted treasures, music-inspired creations, nature, the Earth, the moon, and the beautiful energy of the universe and the music that makes us feel alive. A place where people can find comfort, healing, hope, and maybe just a little bit of magic.

And another that continues doing what has always been part of me, working with bands, supporting independent artists, promoting music, telling their stories, and helping them find the audience they deserve.

Because there was a reason I created Independent Uprising.

A reason I started Harmony Heartbeat.

A reason I’ve spent years writing blogs.

A reason there’s still a podcast inside me waiting to be brought to life.

And there’s certainly a reason I’ve proudly been part of O.D. Productions for 18 years.

None of those things were accidents.

They’ve all been preparing me for whatever comes next.

When I look back, I can see the thread that runs through every chapter of my life.

It has never really been about just music.

Or just spirituality.

Or just crystals.

Or just helping people.

It’s always been about connection.

Bringing people together.

Helping someone feel seen.

Helping someone heal.

Helping an artist feel heard.

Helping someone discover a song that changes their life.

Helping someone hold a bracelet in their hand and remember that they are stronger than they think.

Maybe I’ve been building this dream for years without even realizing it.

And maybe the universe knew long before I did.

So instead of asking myself, “What do I want to do now?” I’ve started asking a different question.

How do I combine everything I love into a life that feels authentic?

Maybe that’s been the answer all along.

Will it be easy?

Probably not.

Will it be scary?

Absolutely.

But will it be worth trying?

Without question.

Life has taught me that tomorrow isn’t promised. We spend so much of our lives working, worrying, paying bills, and waiting for “someday” that we forget to actually live today.

This summer is reminding me that success isn’t always measured by a paycheck.

Sometimes success is measured by watching a sunrise.

By dancing around your house while music is playing.

By laughing at your aging beagle when he does something goofy.

By sitting beside your soul dog while he sleeps.

By looking up at the moon.

By grounding yourself in the grass.

By hearing your favorite song at exactly the right moment.

By telling the people you love that you love them.

And by realizing that the universe has been quietly nudging you toward a different path all along.

So here’s to new beginnings.

To trusting the universe.

To following the music wherever it leads.

To honoring the Earth.

To embracing my pagan/spiritual path.

To chasing dreams, no matter our age.

To making every single moment with BB count.

And finally…

To doing something for me.

Not because I deserve more than anyone else, but because after spending so many years helping everyone else chase their dreams, it’s time to give myself permission to chase mine.

Maybe this wasn’t the ending I feared.

Maybe it was the universe quietly opening a door.

Giving me one more unforgettable summer with my soul dog.

And reminding me that it’s finally okay to build a life that makes my heart happy.

If this summer has taught me anything, it’s this:

The universe has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, even when it doesn’t look anything like what we asked for. 💚🐾🌙

Peace, Love and Loud Music,

Mickey 🤘🔮🎵🐾🖤☮️🌞💜

https://youtu.be/YLYEWMOTETo?is=5384wgwt_6NGYEBQ