Dear LVErs, or disciples

Greetings from Northwestern Ontario, in the beautiful Lake Superior region. This month, we’re thinking about our new theme: discipline — not in the punishing or rigid sense, but as the quiet practice of “following through.” Whether it’s showing up for our music, our health, our relationships, our calling, or even our daily to-do list — discipline is about honoring the commitments we’ve made to ourselves.

How do we honor those sudden “moments of clarity” in which we earnestly decide to — for example — write a little each day, or to walk more, be a better listener, meditate regularly, or to finally launch that project or vision we’ve held close for years? Maybe it’s as small as a change in daily hygiene. Or as big as a new location — or livelihood. What matters is that we keep walking toward the life we believe in — one small choice at a time. 

Helene helped students of a school in Shediac N.B. to write their theme song and their slogan was: ‘Making the right choice is giving me self-confidence’. Discipline, being a disciple of one-self is about making the right choice for ourselves, a choice that will make us more useful to our community and our God if we believe in God. That is what our theme is about in June, as we wrap up a year's work and prepare next year. To keep up with the discipline as fatigue sets in like it does when we near the end of a long route. This is the time not to give up. This is the time to take one step at at a time toward the finish line. 

Here’s a brief mantra Hélène and David start their day with: 

“We pause to consider the day ahead, asking for guidance and freedom from selfish motives. When aligned with a higher purpose, our thinking becomes clearer and more useful. Faced with indecision, we ask for inspiration and avoid forcing outcomes. In so doing, we conserve energy, reduce worry, and grow in clarity. Though we’re undisciplined, we let a higher power guide us through this simple daily practice.” (Abbreviated version of A.A.’s “On Awakening”)

We're currently wrapping up this school-year’s “Crois en toi – Believe in Yourself” tour, with one more to go this year (hello Kenora, Ontario on June 11!), all the while doing our level best to book the tour for the next school year out in British Columbia.

As we head west, we’ll stop in Calgary to see Tommy, Hélène Nicole’s son, and consider the possibilities of where our “base camp” will be for the rest of the year… and beyond. We’ll continue westward to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a performance on June 26 — a great way to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary!

And as we look ahead to summer and fall, we’re staying disciplined in our dream: building a life through music, story, and community. That’s where you come in:

If you’ve been moved by our work, we’d love your help:

🌱 Have a lead on a house concert, library, festival, church, or venue we should play?
🎤 Want to help bring us to your town?
🌍 Know someone who might connect with our music and message?

We’d love to hear from you. Truly — this community is what keeps us going. Discipline may look like routine, but it’s also devotion. And in that spirit, we thank you for walking with us.

With love and gratitude,
David & Hélène Nicole
La Vie Ensemble