A Simple Life
Intuitive Song for Bettina
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater
Original recording: May 13, 2019, Bielefeld, Germany
Studio arrangement: July 20, 2022, Helsinki, Finland

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded as a Songportrait, during which original music and lyrics are created, performed and recorded by Michael in response to recipient themes. Orchestration woven into the original recording.

Video about the Honoring Ceremony and Intuitive Songmaking:
vimeo.com/455763823

For a schedule of other events with Michael Stillwater,  including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars,  retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find intuitive song creation inspires your own creativity, you are invited to join SongLife Training Online, either online or residential. Three pathways, one creative pulse: Guitar Artistry / Songwriting / Intuitive Songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; many choose to stay for more than one season. See details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish for a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Thank you for listening!

Lyrics:

A simple life I’m here to live
A simple life I’m here to give to you
A simple life I’m here to live
Take the moment and be true

A simple life I’m here to live
With time to enjoy
The sunlight on my face and in my heart
Simple joys of living

And as I give myself the gift of simplicity
I’ve got more time for you
And I’ve got more time for me

A simple life to live in harmony
A simple life to live it true
A simple life to be with me
And do what I need to do

And as I live simplicity
I come back home and see
That everything that needs to be done
Is done more easily 

In this simple life
In this simple life

A simple life I share with you
I share with you to let it be
A simple life we live it true
We live it as our destiny

And as we live simplicity
We come back home to what feels right
And as we live simplicity
We feel it every day and night

A simple life that we can share
A simple life without a care
A simple life for me and you
A simple life we’re living true

And everything gets done that needs to
As we take the time for joy
Everything gets done that needs to
As we take the time to let it unfold

A simple life has been waiting now for us
A simple life it’s been waiting for our trust

To trust that it can be this good
Can be this good and fine
To trust that it can be the dream of yours
The dream of mine

A simple life that’s lived most every day
A simple life that we know
Walking the garden and smell the air
And let the breezes blow

A simple life that takes us where we need
Where we need to go
A simple life whether it be raining or even in the snow
A simple life, every day, every night,
Every time is right for us, right for us
A simple life is here taking care of us, taking care of us
A simple life

A Simple Life

Michael Stillwater is an innovator with music, words, and images.
An award-winning songwriter, recording artist and filmmaker, he provides
artistic and transformative reflection upon core societal issues, catalyzing
creative expression in people of all ages.

musical artist / songwriter / filmmaker / intuitive musician / educator / producer


MUSICAL ARTIST/SONGWRITER: Stillwater’s interfaith chants and healing songs are enjoyed in singing circles, gatherings, churches and communities worldwide, with multiple recordings by other artists as well as himself. An interfaith minister through the Chaplaincy Institute, he ministered through Heavensong, a
non-denominational church based in California and Hawaii, from 1978 through 1990.

FILMMAKER: Through Song Without Borders, the nonprofit creative arts agency he co-founded, Stillwater produced films and other programs applying song to personal and societal transformation. He created his first film, Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen (2012) together with his wife, Doris Laesser Stillwater. Acclaimed ‘a heartening rarity’ by the Wall Street Journal, the film received four Best Documentary awards at US film festivals and enthusiastic response from a global audience, including Europe and South Africa. The movie tells the story of the life and music of National Medal of Arts
recipient Morten Lauridsen, recognized as the most performed choral composer of recent times.

The Stillwater’s second film, In Search of the Great Song: Fifty voices. Twelve countries. One question. (2016), received two Best Documentary awards, including at its US Premiere, Moondance Int’l Film Festival in Boulder, CO. Providing an existential and metaphorical context, the film serves as a conversation starter for exploring our inherent creativity and essential spiritual unity. With interviews recorded worldwide, including at the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, the film was screened at the Parliaments in both Salt Lake City (2015) and Toronto (2018).

Their third film, Beyond the Fear of Singing: Unlock Your Voice, Release Your Song (2019), winner of three film festival awards, focuses on the inhibition so many feel about their singing voice, together with healing pathways for overcoming limitations and the rewarding discovery of expressing one’s voice.

INTUITIVE MUSICIAN/EDUCATOR: Stillwater’s unique intuitive recording artistry provides a way for people to feel seen and supported at an essential level. His intuitive songportraits demonstrate empathic connection, while Song Sanctuary seminars and retreats combine a variety of interactive elements in a
one-day, two-day, or longer program. SongLife Training serminars, both local and online, provide anyone with a forum for unlocking their musical aspirations individually and with others.

PRODUCER/AUTHOR: With Emmy-award winning film composer Gary Malkin and Swiss contemplative psychotherapist Doris Laesser Stillwater, he co-authored Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying (over one million readers/ listeners) and Care for the Journey: Messages and Music for Sustaining the
Heart of Healthcare, created for reducing stress in healthcare and palliative care practitioners. 

Since 2020 he has published a monthly column in Meer, an international online magazine. Together with his wife Doris he leads Song Sanctuary Retreats in Europe and America, providing support through contemplative, creative and personal growth practice. A resident of Europe since 2005, he now lives in the Alps of Switzerland, travelling frequently, offering online and local musical events and creative educational programs.

Music Promotion: fabulousrepost@gmail.com