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	Read Stories come --Anonymous come --Anonymous I'm planning a lifelong dream to travel the world & a friend referred me to this website. I love the "If I were brave" theme. People often call me brave because of the trips I take alone but even though I'm scared walking out the door I generally don't feel it on the trip. I do join tour groups or volunteer projects where I'm with others. That's not so brave. Reading Jana's travel journal made me cry. I grew up wishing I lived in Africa like Elspeth Huxley, Karen Blixen or Tarzan. I made lists from the encyclopedia of places I wanted to see. I still do that! I'm 55 now, out of work, selling my apartment & taking off in January starting in Australia/NZ. Those who know me are encouraging but they don't really share my intense need to travel. (I know they're out there) Like Jana, I always say "I'm not lost, I'm exploring". I believe I'm looking for something or someplace, to fulfill that dream to live in foreign places, really experience them & contribute somehow. I've stuck my toes in but feel inadequate in my skills to be of much use. I cried for that & the wish that I didn't have to do it alone. But I'm doing it finally & maybe soon I'LL be saying, "I'm moving to...". Maybe destiny IS the right word. I hope so. Even with occasional doubts I know if I don't do this now I will regret it. --Karen from NY I wrote the following on craigslist as a result of stepping into my true calling: Healing The Voice Do you want to open up to your inner critic(s) and learn how to move through the release of those critics? Are you ready to find your True Voice? When was the last time you felt free to speak your deepest truth? Would you like to realize your True Sacred Self? What is your Passion? Healer, Empath, Singer, Truth Sayer, Vocal Coach, Touch For Health Practitioner, Reiki Master Tara Farmer is ready to support you in answering those questions and tapping in to the Source to find Your Voice. Please feel free to check out my website at http://humantribe.zaadz.com to find out more about me and the Passion Support Group I have created. (And then I left my contact info) I am so proud and excited about taking this step (LEAP) of faith. I feel so supported and loved and grateful!!!! I went to a new thought music conference last week to learn more about myself, my voice, my Passion, my path. It was SO GOOD! (Jana was there too and received the Posi Music award!!) I am feeling more than ever before and letting the feelings flow. My next step is to record my CD(s) and get them out into the public so I can start touring and doing motivational concerts!!! Love, Tara --Tara from Portland --Anonymous Okay, here's my second installment of my "If I Were Brave" story. :-) This one involves Jana directly. After listening to "If I Were Brave" over and over and over again the night before, I took my very first road trip ever 2 days ago--I should say my very first road trip that was longer than an hour drive. I did it ALL BY MYSELF!!!! This is a HUGE accompishment for me for many reasons. I went for a 3.5 hour drive, and after "Waiting" 2 years, I FINALLY was fortunate enough to get to see Jana live in concert, and meet her. It was really and truthfully one of the BEST days of my ENTIRE life!!!! It was a day that was more than worth the wait!! And, now that I've done that, I am encouraged to try more road trips. Thanks, Jana, for giving me the courage (and helping my courage catch up with my mind! Name that tune! ;-)) through song (and email!) to spread my wings like a "Butterfly" and fly!! You and your music do wonders for people, Jana, so I say "Thank You"!!!! Your rock (and I roll!) :-) Love & Hugs, Ann :-) --Ann from Decatur My name is Karrie, I found Jana's music at a point in my life where I had given up on life. I decided it wasn't worth the pain to fight for it and ignored all of the thing's in my life that I would have missed. I found the song if I were brave and decided it was time to change time to wake up and smell the coffee so to speak. I had been through 24 years of mental physical and sexual abuse and was now dealing with a terminal cancer and I decided to give up on life... If I were Brave made me change my outlook and realize I could do so much more with whatever time I had left... I decided to speak out about the abuse and the illness and turn it around to help others who may nto realize there is something worth fighting for... YOU!!! www.provoicespeakers.com/karrie_emms.htm Thank you Jana --Karrie from Hamilton My Mom works for a payroll company in Arizona. She saw Jana live at the national payroll association meeting in Tennessee. My mom loved her music so much she bought the boxed set CDs. She even had Jana sign it to me and my brother. Where she signed it it said our names and under them it said "believe". At first I thought it was just some dumb CD my mom had bought so we would forget about the fact she had gone. Well my mom gave it to me and made me listen to a song that night. I didn’t care much for it and turned it off and went to bed. The next night I was really upset because me and my mom had gotten into a really bad fight and I had had a bad day. That night I decided to cut myself. I had done it before on a bad day and no one noticed. It was a release the first time so I figured I would do it again. I decided to turn on some music so no one would bother me (no one bothers me when I have music playing in my room). I had forgotten all about Jana’s CD. It started playing "If i were brave" and it made me cry like I had never cried before. I didn’t cut myself that night, I discovered myself. It made me think about all the wonderful things in my life and what I had to live for. I haven’t tried to cut myself since and I listen to her music every day. She saved me from myself with her words and inspired me to be "Brave" I thank her dearly for that. Sincerely, Sandra --Sandra from Surprise My Mom works for a payroll company in Arizona. She saw Jana live at the national payroll association meeting in Tennessee. My mom loved her music so much she bought the boxed set CDs. She even had Jana sign it to me and my brother. Where she signed it it said our names and under them it said "believe". At first I thought it was just some dumb CD my mom had bought so we would forget about the fact she had gone. Well my mom gave it to me and made me listen to a song that night. I didn’t care much for it and turned it off and went to bed. The next night I was really upset because me and my mom had gotten into a really bad fight and I had had a bad day. That night I decided to cut myself. I had done it before on a bad day and no one noticed. It was a release the first time so I figured I would do it again. I decided to turn on some music so no one would bother me (no one bothers me when I have music playing in my room). I had forgotten all about Jana’s CD. It started playing and it made me cry like I had never cried before. I didn’t cut myself that night, I discovered myself. It made me think about all the wonderful things in my life and what I had to live for. I haven’t tried to cut myself since and I listen to her music every day. She saved me from myself with her words and I thank her dearly for that. Sincerely, Sandra --Sandra from Surprise --Sandra from Surprise I heard Jana perform "If I were Brave" at INTA in Phoenix. I knew in my heart that I've always wanted to be a singer. Since then I've started taking lessons and have been performing in my church. This was the first song I performed. It has inspired other congregants and they are now doing "brave" things too! Thanks, Jana. --Diane from Newton Hello everyone, I would like to share my experience with Jana. My mom and I on a whim went to a womens wellness day in Oakbrook, Illinois. We didnt know what to expect and were just happy to be together to join the day. We saw Deb Kern there and she used Janas music in her speaking. I heard If I were brave the first time there. With tears streaming down my face I knew that I was on a path of growth. I was never one to take chances but now I am. We ended up saving enough money to go to a retreat at the Osthoff less than a month later and got the complete joy of seeing Jana and Deb Kern together. Doing live Nia with Jana playing and Deb directing. We have been the hugest fans ever since. I do have to admit that every time anything is amiss in my life all I do is put in a Jana CD, hit shuffle, and whatever song I need to hear at the moment is what comes on. My son Michael loves Janas music and I hope from such an early exposure he will not grow up with the fears I learned to overcome. Thank you Jana for me, Michael and everyone I have been able to touch with your music. --Mary from Batavia The first time I heard your song was when a friend played it for a meeting. This wasn't your ordinary meeting, I work for a company that conducts transformational trainings. These trainings are for people that are taking steps toward their dreams, reaching for fulfillment in their lives, and they don't have a clue how brave they are. And to coordinate these trainings is my dream come true!! I believe we all deserve encouragement and inspiration, and we play this song and others to remind us of who we are. The true words of encouragement in your song inspire us here at Rising Star Communications of Colorado, Inc. Through the training, we learn that fear never goes away, and that it doesn't have to run our lives. We learn that we have the answers, we've just pretended not to know. We learn that "win-win" is the best way to "play" life, and that "going for" a dream is the only way you'll ever get there. Thanks, Jana, for this song. Thank you for being so brave. --Cat from Colorado Springs I recently received the CD Gift Single of "If I Were Brave" from my friends, Barbara Bailey Hutchison and her husband, Chris, for my birthday. Although I had heard of Jana from Barbara, and because I am a fan of Reba McEntire's (who recorded "If I Had Only Known"...thanks for a wonderful song, Jana!), I had never heard any of Jana's music otherwise. I just turned 26, and I was born with a birth defect called Spina Bifida. I am paralyzed from the waist down, and confined to a wheelchair. Even though I have been through much in my lifetime (including 55+ surgeries...I lost count at 55 several years ago!), I try very hard to keep a positive attitude, and a smile on my face. This is VERY difficult at times!! Anyway, with the help of my best friend and the encouragement of my friends (including Barbara and Chris...thanks you two...I love you!) and family, I took a huge step this year and finally moved out of my parent's house. My best friend and I are now roomies in a wonderful apartment. I just feel that this song sums up how I feel sometimes, and I am so glad that someone could put into words how I sometimes feel. Only one other person has been able to truly do that...and that is Barbara Bailey Hutchison!! I was majorly afraid that I might fail at living on my own, and now since my best friend, and all my family and friends believed in me so much, I have proven to them...and to myself, that I can do this!! My best friend will be moving back home to Lousiana soon, but I now know that I can live on my own...and and will succeed "If I Refuse To Listen To The Voice Of Fear"...and let the "Voice Of Courage Whisper In My Ear." Thanks for reading, and letting me share my story. Thanks to my best friend, and to Barbara and Chris, for believing in me sometimes when I didn't believe in myself!! Thanks Jana, for such a inspirational song!! Keep Smilin'!! :-) --Ann from Decatur I recently had the great joy of meeting Jana in Indianapolis for the women's conference. I was lucky enough to also speak with her at the end of the day. She was so wonderful and she gave me the inspiration to start work on a dream of my own that has been put on hold for several years. That dream is to start singing professionaly myself. Jana, if you read this I was the young women in the front row at the breakout session in the afternoon, that cried all through the butterfly song. I went home extremely excited, my husband and I now have plans to visit two churches this weekend that have very extensive music programs, since I want to sing contemporary Christian music. Thanks everyone for listening! Christina --Christina from Noblesville Hi there, I teach people how to drive with anxiety disorders/panic attacks. Jana's music has been with my clients and I as we drive on the interstate, over bridges and through the rain. Upon graduation from driver training individuals happily receive a copy of her "If I were brave CD". My clients are so funny when they say things such as "here comes a bridge, crank up the music!" On behalf of my clients and I, thank you. Nancy from Nashville/First Church Unity. --Nancy from nashville I just want to share some frustrations from the past two years. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1 1/2 years ago after many doctor visits that pretty much told me that I was depressed and that was why I hurt all over. It was a blow to me to find out that the pain would never go away. I had always been an active athletic person and I started out with pushing exercise to try and work away the pain, but it often times made the pain worse. I then quit exercising in frustration and have gained weight. A Nia instructor's name was given to me as an alternative to weight lifting and cardiovascular work outs. Nia is a gentle form of exercise that works with your body. She then told me about Jana and I love her music. This whole process has made me sit back and look at my life as a nurse. It is difficult to do the 12 hour shifts any longer. I went back to school for a Masters in Nursing Education because this course work would lead me to a teaching job with more normal daytime hours. It was stressing me more though and another program keep presenting itself to me over and over. The big thing was that it was not in nursing and it would be a whole new career change, it was very freightening. I got the courage to pursue this by listening to Myself and Jana's music and now I am in the Masters in Servant Leadership program. This may lead to a better schedule for my life and then I could possibly do pastoral care in hospitals with daytime hours and less stress on my body. --Debra from Onalaska Your music inspired and sustained me during a bout with depression brought on by loosing my job. I associated my self-worth with my success in my vocation. When my vocation rejected me, I turned to my family. My family, however, was overcome with worry and uncertainty. Every morning seemed a struggle to face the day. Unconsciousness (sleep) seemed my only solace and as soon as I awoke, I wished it were time to sleep again. Out of pure desperation I started every morning with a prayer, "God, help me face the struggles of the day. Open doors and close doors. Talk to me throughout the day that I can know you are with me. Encourage me with your words and focus my thoughts on those things that matter in life. Help me be successful in what matters." Listening to your music when I drove from place to place was like talking to you. It was like listening to God talk to me through your music. It was the answer to my pray… "Talk to me throughout the day…" "Encourage me with your words." Now, I share your music with my friends who face the same struggles. It's my hope that it will inspire them, and more importantly, help sustain them as they learn lessons in life. --Randy from Dallas My story seems to long to write in a brief space, but I am going to try. I got ahold of Janas book "A Musician's Guide to Making and Selling Your Own CDs and Cassettes" about 1 year and a half ago. I was in the middle of a separation at that time, it was a very hard time. I am a musician and had many songs that I had written, but because of my situation my confidence really needed a boost. Janas book came just at the right time. It lit a fire, and myself and the band I was part of embarked on a journey to record our own CD. 1 year later, we just had our CD release concert last Sunday and 300 people came and we sold over 120 CD's. The CD held a message of hope, and even before the September 11th disaster that came upon our country, it was like the CD and its content was just what people needed at the right time. This just goes to prove, Believe in the gifts you have been given. Because in those gifts, there may be the one gift someone else needs. Thanks Jana for the gift of your book, I needed it to wake up and sing in the midst of the pain. Also thanks to God and His wonderful gifts. --David from Augusta Almost two years ago, I went off to a school in a bigger city in my freshman year of high school. Once outside of my small-town surroundings, I felt completely insignificant. All through my earlier school years, I had been the smart one, the artistic one, the creative one. Now I was... just like everyone else. But in the middle of this confusion, I also began asking myself other questions about who I really was. Slowly, I came to the realization that I was gay. All my life, I've heard people in my family, kids at school, and even people at church talk about "the sin of homosexuality". And now it hurt; it hurt more than anything. I was a nobody, and the rest of me was morally wrong. Over the course of the next two years, I've slowly begun to heal from the wounds others (and me, too) have inflicted on me. I began truly contemplating religion, truly looking at myself, truly opening up. And it hurts. It's hard sometimes. I fear the disapproval of others, but most of all the disapproval of myself. For a long time, I locked myself away and punished myself for not being "right"; not having enough friends, not looking better, even not always loving the right gender. I've taken my life back from doubt, condemnation and depression. I'm not going to berate myself for being me, or listen to others who want to. For the first time in a long while, I feel really truly alive. Listening to Jana's songs today reminded me of the choice to live. I'm not going to hide. I choose to face the world in all its splendor and sadness - I will live. A 16 year old female from NC --Anonymous Not too long ago, I faced the inevitable truth: I was living a lie, putting on a front, pretending to be what I wasn’t. I tried to make everyone believe that I was a strong person, but who was I kidding? I was so scared that someone would find out who “the real me” was that I couldn’t even focus on my next breath because I was terrified someone wouldn’t like me. I asked myself “Why am I doing this?” constantly, but I received no answer. I found myself sinking into depression and pulling away from the people most dear to me. Friendships and relationships were completely out of the picture. I was afraid of getting hurt, of being alone in the world. I thought that I had to be perfect and the best in every aspect- looks, personality, athletic ability, musical talents; but this sort of thinking got me absolutely nowhere. How could it? I wasn’t living life; instead, I was cowering. When I was living this way, I was embarrassed and insecure about everything in my life- my looks, talents, even my dreams. Within the past few months though, I have rededicated my life to God. My eyes have been opened to, well, to life! I am so tired of not living. I mean, I’m only 16; I should be having fun, living, letting my light shine to the world. I need to overcome my insecurities because God doesn’t make any mistakes so, if I'm ashamed of me, it's my own fault. I need to be helping others realize that they matter. So, instead of staring at the sidewalk, my shoes, a store window, I’m going to stare the world in the face. Say “hi” to a stranger because you never know if a simple “hi” or or a smile or just making eye contact can forever change a person’s life who thought that no one knew they existed. I want to let others know that they are perfect- maybe not according to the world, but according to God. Walk with confidence, not arrogance; and tell the world your story. You may make someone’s life on earth a little more livable. --Bryana from St. Cloud I was also recently picked to be the Valedictorian for my 8th grade class. The day I learned about it I was very happy. Then one of my friends who is the Salutatorian told me that a lot of people wanted her to be Valeditorian instead of me. She said one of my good friends said this as well. Later that day, I was brave enough to confront my friend and ask her about it. It turned out to be a big misunderstanding. So, I was brave enough to ask her this after a lot of crying. --Anonymous I am a member of Willow Tree along with some of my friends. I wsa also recently picked to be the Valedictorian for my 8th grade class. The day I learned about it I was very happy. Then one of my friends who is the Salutatorian told me that a lot of people wanted her to be Valeditorian instead of me. She said one of my good friends said this as well. Later that day, I was brave enough to confront my friend and ask her about it. It turned out to be a big misunderstanding. So, I was brave enough to ask her this after a lot of crying. --Anonymous Oh boy, this is a long one! I thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell this story, to maybe be able to help others take that first, scary step out into the unknown. Where do I possibly begin to say how much meeting Jana and hearing her songs has meant to me? I met her back at the spring 1997 women’s conference in Colorado, at a time of great uncertainty in my life. She taught me how to take that first step forward, not knowing where it was leading, and not knowing how I would take the second step. And my gosh, the things I have accomplished in the 4 years since then, not having any idea how I would do most of them! I have always been the one that seemed to succeed, seemed to have the looks, talent and brains. But, it really meant nothing to me, because I didn’t believe in myself or my abilities. I was full of fear – afraid to fail, afraid to succeed, afraid of what everyone else thought of me. Shortly before I met Jana, I had made the decision to change my life by changing my thinking, not really knowing that it would actually work. Jana had a way of seeing in people what they wanted to do, but were afraid to try, and encouraging them. I wanted to make a difference with people, be up on stage, to sing for them, but I didn’t want anyone to know it, and I didn’t want to do it for fear I wouldn’t sound good. So I watched while others did it, feeling sadness and frustration inside that I wasn’t up there making the music, too. At that first women’s conference, Jana continued to encourage me to come forward to sing her songs with her and others on stage. I began to think that maybe my dreams were not just dreams, but possibilities. This was my first introduction to “I’m Not Lost, I Am Exploring”, and it became my theme song for the next couple of years. I took what Jana called a Leap of Faith, and moved for the first time, away from everyone and everything I had ever known in Colorado, to take a new job in Washington state. I went through incredible character-building experiences that I can just say I would have never believed that I would be able to get through, had someone told me what I would experience in my first 3 years away from my home state. Jana’s songs became my friends, as I would sing them over and over to help me through yet another trial. When I received the new CD set with “If I Were Brave”, it was as if she had me in mind when she wrote it. I think I sing it through at least once or twice a day, everyday. It reminds me to believe in myself, and put the fears aside that used to stop me from being the person that I secretly wanted to be. Jana taught me to give kindness to others, while letting go of the need to have others’ approval. Her songs have taught me to believe in myself, and in my gift of leadership, inspiration and music that I have been given to share with others. In the past year, I have boldly stepped forward to speak out for what I believe in my career, and I am taking tentative but positive steps forward in my music. Because of what I learned from Jana, watching her perform and listening to her songs, I can now give positive inspiration to others through my musical performances. I still continually have to keep reminding myself to be brave, and just take that one next step, whatever that next step may be, and not worry about why I’m not doing exactly what I think I should be doing yet. And this brings me to what I would like to pass along to others who may doubt their own abilities, or have fears about being good enough, like I had always done in the past. Whatever it is inside of you that really feeds your soul, that is what you are meant to do. You may be afraid to do it, you may think you should do something else to please someone else, or you may always compare yourself to others and find that you don’t think you measure up, so why bother? I’ll tell you why bother. Because that thing that burns within your soul is your gift to the world. It is your passion, and you are here to share it with others. It doesn’t have to be big, or perfect, or even as good as someone else (good is all in the eye of the beholder, anyway). All it has to be is your best effort, at that time, full of as much of your true self as you can give it. Of course you could do it better, of course someone else will always do it better. That’s not what matters, and it doesn’t matter if no one but you likes it. Trust me, when you look at someone who you think is better than you, someone who seems to have it all together, that’s all an illusion. Those of us who seem to succeed, to have it all together, have just learned to put on a better exterior to the world, that’s all. Inside, we really are all the same – doubting our abilities, wondering what other’s will think, afraid to fail. What makes the difference is truly learning to “refuse to listen to that voice of fear” and opening up the way to really believing that “voice of courage” when it whispers in your ear. --Cheryl from Federal Way I am a late bloomer I guess, as I started writing poems and then lyrics after my 40th birthday. A few friends offered encouragement and about 5 years ago I spent some grocery money and had two of my songs recorded, more or less, just for my personal benefit. Shortly thereafter, I attended a song writers seminar in Lubbock put on by Jana. Somewhat shyly, I asked her if I could give her my tape and lyric sheets. The next night, after she had returned to her home, she found the lyric sheets in her hip pocket and read them, and then she broke one of her rules she had stressed during the seminar,,,Jana called me. Me, a middle aged farmer from west Texas. It seems the lyrics had touched her and she called to tell me and to offer encouragement. I have since seen Jana 3 or 4 other times and each time she has been a blessing. I have continued to write, mainly because of Jana's words of encouragement and the fact that she said I was good,,,. I still haven't overcome my fear, or what I like to call it, my responsibility of being a husband and father first. But it probably boils down to simple fear of trying something new and uncharted. Who knows, maybe one day I will take the next step and something will happen with my poems and songs. So thank you Jana, for what you have done for me so far and may I make your faith in me worthwhile...Claude in Lubbock --Claude from Wolfforth Seven and a half years ago, I took the biggest step of my life. I stopped drinking. I discovered I had a drinking problem and things were not going well for me. I was losing my friends, drifting away from my family, and slowly losing my best friend (my wife now). I didn't know what to do, so I turned to a friend who guided me in the right path. I joined Alcoholics Anonymous and started my journey to recovery. Months into my recovery, I met Jana at a conference in Austin. Immediately I was hooked to her songs and they all seemed to make sense to me in my journey. Soon after I made amends with family and friends and was heading in the right direction. With the inspiration from Jana's songs and by the grace of God, I have been sober for almost eight years. I thank God every day for the life (new life) he has given me and for the opportunity to live each day one day at a time. My best friend then, my wife now, have shared five fabulous years together and have a son and daughter. May God bless you all and may you have the strength and courage to follow your heart. Peace. Marc --Marc from Sugar Land Last week a group of women friends came to my house to hear two women, Pamela Hunt and Patricia Aclie Albrecht in a presentation called "Dancing with Cancer." They both have survived and healed from breast cancer and are now on a path of helping other women prevent and heal from the disease. They shared so many practical ideas for helping make integrated choices and be supportive of people in need of information and love. They talked openly about their shock and sorrow, their spiritual journeys and frustrations with the process. They shared ideas for making healthy choices and spoke passionately about the need for women to have more choices. They are being so BRAVE by sharing their lessons to make the path easier for others. It turned out to be a phenomenal celebration and evening of joy and possibilities. I am grateful for their bravery! --Joyce from I saw Jana at the Seaside Conf. last June. I have if I were brave hanging up at work. Last month, I flew (scared to fly) to CA to take care of my Dad who was dying. I was his care giver. I was scared..but BRAVE..because of Jana..thank you for helping me to do that. Now,if you could only teach me how to paste stuff on the computer..I wouldn't have had to type it this way!! --Jary from Hillsboro Approximately a year ago I had the priviledge of hearing Jana and her beautiful voice and message at an conference. I was especially moved by the song "If I Were Brave" because the things I lack most in my life are bravery and confidence. I grew up in a home environment of abuse, ridicule and incest and confrontation was dangerous. I have slowly gained strength and hope thanks to a loving Heavenly Father and caring, supportive husband. Jana's song hit me deep in my heart at a critical decision-making moment and gave me the extra little boost I needed. I finally confronted my abuser, with the hope of repentence and forgiveness, and have started to make positive changes in my life regarding my future. "If I Were Brave" has been played during group therapy sessions (a gift to my therapist) to help encourage others too. I've been honored to hear Jana sing at another conference lately and one thing hasn't changed for me....I still cry when I hear her. I believe that God sends people to strengthen us in our most painful moments. Thank you Jana for being one of those people. --Kathy from Sioux Falls