*[Hive Open Mic](https://hive.blog/trending/hive-105786) ( #openmic ) is a global community celebrating live music on Hive. Each week is a new event, inviting creative expression and genuine connection.*

***

# <center>Hive Open Mic - Highlights</center>

#### <center>Week 46: February 21 - 27, 2021</center>

![Just the two of us at Kate's country home, while the kids are with friends](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/FHeWyjWm-Hive-Open-Mic-46-Kate04.jpg)

Something mystical is happening in my life. I started a practice of pre-forgiveness, inspired by a book called [*The Disappearance of the Universe*](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/119765.The_Disappearance_of_the_Universe), written by Gary Renard. Interestingly, this book arrived in my mailbox without any note to tell me who sent it. Then I got trapped in my car for a few days when an ice storm froze and flooded my home, and so I did a lot of reading.

What is pre-forgiveness? It's an attitude of freely forgiving everything and everyone, even before any feeling of wrong-doing. I believe I'm creating a default pattern of forgiveness that will guide my re-actions to various life events. Mostly, I am forgiving myself. In fact, only in my ego-centered worldview do I even see anyone else's error. Seeing errors in others is really an opportunity to heal the errors in myself. So I forgive myself.

I forgive myself if this sounds flippant, or arrogant, or errant. I'm new at this study, and I forgive myself for the part of me that doesn't fully understand it, and doesn't exactly know how to explain it, and doesn't really need to know. I'm doing it anyway, because it feels inspired, and I forgive myself. 

![This simple fireplace is a steady source of comfort](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/2xBcJUob-Hive-Open-Mic-46-Kate02.jpg)

These past few weeks were unbelievable. I lost electricity for four days in an ice storm. I lost my home to a flood and lived in a car, stuck in a parking lot. And so much more! And it was perfect timing for a study in forgiveness. I could speak on this for hours, because it feels profound to me, but instead I will summarize by saying: **Forgiveness is freedom.**

In perfect parallel to this, I've had the pleasure of spending this past week in the countryside, with the woman I walk with: Kate, who joins me here for a song. She and I have been married nine years, and our tribe of five includes the three coolest kids I've ever met. Kate and I separated several months ago, and this week's time together is our first big attempt at reconciliation. Whatever happens next, it feels clear that we will always be closely connected.

![Kate's home is filled with beauty](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/GhM6pO29-Hive-Open-Mic-46-Kate05.jpg)

The song we're sharing here is called Ho'oponopono. According to [*Wikipedia*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%CA%BBoponopono), Ho'oponopono is a Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Similar traditions are found in islands of the South Pacific including Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand. I've searched many times for the origin of the song's melody and words, and I believe it is ancient. There are countless variations. The way I currently sing it is one traditional way, of many. Our kids originally introduced this song to us.

https://youtu.be/qd9rRR0uJ_U

In the way I learned this song, it is ideal to repeat the pattern 10 times. I often lose track, although I usually do intend to complete the whole decade, which feels like a full circle. These are the words we say: **"I embrace you. I love you. Please forgive me. I thank you."** These sentiments are all encompassed in the expression: "Ho'oponopono."

![HiveOpenMic46d.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/DvyiAiVI-Hive-Open-Mic-46d.png)

***

# <center>Acknowledgements</center>

![HiveOpenMic46b.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/ZEAUqmdV-Hive-Open-Mic-46b.png)

<center>[Hive Open Mic - Week 46](https://hive.blog/hive-105786/@cabelindsay/hive-open-mic-46-worldwide-live-music-event) is underway now. 
This week's invitation is: “Forgiveness.”</center>

***

# <center>🎵</center>

# <center>Hive Open Mic - Status Report</center>

#### <center>Cherishing Our Growing Community</center>

Hopefully everyone had a chance to see the awesome [Hive Open Mic 45 - "LOVE" Highlights](https://peakd.com/hive-105786/@mipiano/hive-open-mic-45-love-highlights) that @mipiano curated for our community. I asked her to help with this, because our community is growing quickly, and I just wanted to make sure every musician had a chance to be heard and honored. And then, when I encountered a natural disaster, she stepped right up and kept our community alive by being the voice of genuine connection. Bravo!

My offering here is a brief addition to her curated list, highlighting this great week in Hive Open Mic history. The perfect theme: “Love”, was chosen by Spotlight Artist @edwardstobia.

***

# <center>🌟</center>

# <center>Spotlight</center>

###### <center>Love Me Again (Cover) by @mipiano</center>
https://youtu.be/OrSvj28W9rw
<center>*[View the Original Post](https://peakd.com/hive-105786/@mipiano/hive-open-mic-week-45-love-me-again-piano-cover)*</center>

In my opinion, the 45th week's Spotlight Artist is @mipiano. Not only did she support our community amazingly well as a listener and curator, she also demonstrated awe-inspiring artistry. She gives a powerful performance here. Check out the part at 0:53, when she strikes these rapidly descending notes—brilliant. Her entire body is rocking as she plays, gracefully pounding the piano keys like a velvet hammer. I cherish the goodness in this. Song by John Newman 

***

# <center>⭐</center>

# <center>More Highlights</center>

###### <center>Amor Robado / Stolen Love (Cover) by @armandolnrs</center>
https://youtu.be/UqGLUmeISeM
<center>*[View the Original Post](https://peakd.com/hive-105786/@armandolnrs/hive-open-mic-semana-45-stolen-love-eng-esp-amor-robado-cover)*</center>

This man's mighty voice sounds like a gentle giant, powerful and beautiful. Hearing him, I witness total composure, through his dynamic range of softness to loudness, with finesse, firmness, and flexibility. I call that: *Firmeza!* Music composed by Esteban Taronji.

***

###### <center>Excess Love (Cover) by @holuseyi</center>
https://youtu.be/kqHjev_eAHw
<center>*[View the Original Post](https://peakd.com/hive-105786/@holuseyi/hive-open-mic-week-45-cover-song-excess-love-by-holuseyi)*</center>

Goodness, this song is delightful to me. The way this artist sings it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I feel there is heart-soothing medicine in her music. This is her first live music entry in our Hive Open Mic community, so I hope everyone will join me in welcoming @holuseyi. I'm so glad she's here. Music composed by Mercy Chinwo.

***

###### <center>Melon Melocotón by @palimanali</center>
https://youtu.be/8T3W_buSB1o
<center>*[View the Original Post](https://peakd.com/hive-105786/@palimanali/hive-open-mic-45-love-melon-melocoton-by-ukewewe)*</center>

Music and movement and motorcycle... mmm. Superb! I enjoy this pleasantly playful entry, full of energy. Even though these two friends are new to me, I believe they embody many facets of the divine diamond that is love. Their various angles of love are clear to see, and I'm grateful to witness it in this way.

***

![HiveOpenMic45d.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cabelindsay/j7wo8xwG-Hive-Open-Mic-45d.png)

#### <center>*[Enjoy Live Music? Subscribe to Hive Open Mic.](https://hive.blog/trending/hive-105786)*</center>