I had an epiphany today - I guess mostly in the way we word things.
The idea of conquering. Succeeding. Fearlessness. I think it is vital to never give up. Existence, since the beginning of time, has been rooted on that foundation. That you don’t say “no” when you believe in something. You stick to your guns. You make things happen. I love that. There’s an energy there that makes an individual stronger than he ever thought he could be. And, the fact that he believes in a cause so much that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stand true to that very thing - whether it be a social rights movement, a discrepancy among co-workers, or a personal goal. That “badass” quality that is so genuine that others are sure you succeed because you exude this sense of confidence that most dream about - and it seems to come so easy.
It’s never easy.
The truth is, balance is the key to that undeniable fearlessness. We have to be willing to acknowledge our short comings, or we’ll deny ourselves the ability to conquer anything. We’ll end up being stopped in our tracks the second we are sure we can “do it ourselves” because we think we are just that good. So good we can do anything. So multi-talented that we don’t need help. So fearless that we’re willing to take on anything and anyone.
And do it! Be fearless. Have that mentality that you CAN do anything.
But while maintaining that attitude, it’s being humble enough to see our weaknesses that enables us to cross the line from being able to do anything to ACTUALLY doing anything.
Does that make sense or am I starting to make this too confusing..?
One of the most powerful things I have ever heard was when someone said, “It’s amazing how much gets done when no one worries about who gets the credit.”
Team - Unity - Power - Fearlessness.
Battles. We face them every day in multiple contexts. From the time we open our eyes in the morning and struggle to get out of bed because let’s face it, it’s cold outside and warm covers are just too damn comfortable - through our challenges in the office, or careers, or wherever we spend the majority of our day - and all the way through the inner battles that we fight. Am I doing the right thing with my life? What else can I get involved in? I want to become the best guitar player I can possibly be, but that seems so so far away.
So then, find patience, and find help, right? Be willing to be still, breathe, and think of who you can reach out to in order to refocus your ambition and questioning.
I spent a couple years, perhaps toward the end of college, where I went through, what I like to refer to as, a typical “artist phase”. I wanted to be playing my own music so much more than playing cover songs that I started to lose sight of my purpose. I started to become so self-indulgent with my goals and wanted to create music for my own sake and for my own pleasure. That’s when I started to lose myself.
Odd, right? That the moment my focus turned inward, I lost sight of myself?
I have learned that what brings joy to my life is bringing joy to other people. We are a world that is built upon the idea of community - and we need to nourish that. We all have a desire to connect to other people in some way. So help others, and be willing to be helped.
This is not to say that we should by any means ignore our own well-being because I think we are able to best help the world, if we are offering ourselves in our greatest capacity. If we, first, are strong physically, mentally and emotionally. But, maybe we need to remember that as we make changes to improve ourselves, we are changing the world. And maybe changing the world starts as simply as changing ourselves. Imagine how different the world would be if everyone improved himself.
When I lost myself, I turned inward with no desire to exert my energy. That was the problem. I started ignoring my audience. And music without an audience is, to me, much like a homeless shelter with no residents. The shelter is there - and that is a beautiful thing - but isn’t the purpose for it to house those who are not able to provide for themselves? And in the same token, music alone is a beautiful thing and for me, I am able to play music by myself in my room and escape to an amazing world. But, it’s the purpose of music to help us ALL escape? And if I can help others escape to that world, I absolutely should.
And more than anything, that’s what I love doing. Entertaining, inspiring and empowering. I believe that there is a better existence today than there was yesterday. And tomorrow can be so much better than today. We have to look for it and fight for it. It won’t just happen.
And now, fearlessly, we can come together in a more beautiful way that I ever thought possible.
No man was ever meant to fight battles as a one-man army. He would indefinitely find defeat at the moment he encountered an enemy who challenged him to a battle that was outside of his strongest skill set. If he is best as a swordsman, but came to battle against a gunman, what would he do? How much better if he were united with a gunman. That way, no matter the battle, each soldier could tackle the enemy in the area he is most trained.
So let’s be brave. Be true soldiers and offer ourselves to all of those around us. Be fearless in spirit and be willing to try new things. To be constantly growing and expanding. To love.
Love. And really love.
