"Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see farther." — Thomas Carlyle

Happy Monday, friends!

Ever feel like you’re standing at the edge of something—an idea, a dream, a decision—but you’re hesitant to take that next step because you don’t have the full roadmap yet?

Same. But something I've learned over the years [and was reinforced at my church service yesterday] is that clarity comes through action.

“Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see farther.”

That quote has been sitting with me, and honestly? It’s exactly what I needed to hear.

Because whether it’s in music, coaching, activism, or just figuring out life, every time I’ve stepped forward into the unknown, a whole new world of possibilities has opened up.

When I released my first ever single in New Zealand, Look Around, I had no idea how people would respond to a song about climate change. But I knew it mattered, so I put it out anyway. And suddenly, I was performing it on TV, at festivals in my hometown [at the age of 11], and even singing it infront of our then-Prime Minister Helen Clark.... which then led to me attending a worldwide youth symposium at Disney World in Florida, and even presenting at schools in California while I was in the US.

... yeah, I started this whole "youth empowerment" thing pretty young, huh?

And it only continued. Embracing the unknown is basically the core of how I’ve built my life—through music, entrepreneurship, speaking, and just about every adventure I’ve thrown myself into.

Moving to DC from New Zealand? No clear plan. Just a guitar, a dream, and a whole lot of determination.

Writing my first solo album? I had no idea if people would connect with my songs. Turns out, they did.

My first TEDx Talk? Terrifying. But taking that stage unlocked doors I never even knew existed.

Becoming a coach? I wasn’t sure how I’d translate my experiences into something tangible for others—until I started doing it.

Each of those moments stretched my vision. And once I got there? I saw even more possibilities.

Which brings us to February 2025:

• This past week, I started coaching a brand-new group of young women in Montgomery County, and our first month together is all about civic responsibility. Their voices are powerful, and they have big dreams for change. When I asked them what they’d fix with a magic wand, here’s what they said:

These girls? They’re already thinking bigger and seeing beyond their immediate reality. And with the right tools, they’ll be the ones shaping our future.

• And then there was my private client this week. As soon as she jumped on our call, she burst into tears. So we did what I always do when words fail—we wrote a song. A song about healing our trauma and having grace for the ways we’ve survived.

"Hey little girl with the wide-eyed stare No one told you life could be this unfair You thought you had to take it, kept drinking more pain Alice in a blue dress, falling down the drain...

I can drift through time, touch your ribboned hair Tell you there’s a doorway, waiting somewhere You don’t have run away, don’t have to fade You’re a wildfire, baby, too bright to erase"

Music is the way I see farther. And it’s the way I help others do the same.

What’s Happening This Week

• No shows this week - I'm out of the country! But I’ll be back at it next week with clients and the official Capitol Groove Collective kickoff show on Feb 21 at The Casual Pint in Dunn Loring, VA. My musical soul brother Music Giff, will be taking the reigns on emceeing this one [don't worry - I'll be hosting next month], but I'll be popping in to support these up-and-coming artists, and who knows? I may decide to jump on the mic too.
• New blog just dropped: 15 Life Lessons I’ve Learned as a Musician & Musicpreneur – From touring to business, this one is full of the best (and hardest) lessons I’ve learned along the way. Read it here.

And, of course, my next single drops in just over a month.

Pre-save GRIEVE [and the remixes!] here

Your Turn: What’s Your Next Step?

So, here’s my question for you:

What’s one step forward you know you need to take—even if you can’t see the full path yet?

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take the step.

Trust me - it's worth it. If I hadn't taken the leap into music when I was ten years old; I truly don't think I would have found my voice as a singer-songwriter and artivist, or decided to coach teens to find and use their voices powerfully and constructively... nor do I think I would have been brave enough to move to the States, which has ultimately led to, well, some pretty epic things.

Hit reply and tell me what you're doing to push your comfort zone this week, and shift your horizons. And as always—don’t let the world write your song.

Rock on, stay inspired, and have an amazing day on purpose.

~ Emma G

P.S. If you need a reset, let’s talk. Whether it’s through writing your own theme songs, learning how to use your voice, or simply a conversation, let’s get you moving forward. Your next level is waiting.