LIFE, DEATH and LIFE OF DREAMS......

As children, we are taught to have dreams - encouraged to imagine what we would love to do with our lives and take steps towards making those dreams a reality. For most people, those dreams are forgotten by the time we are 25 years old. And if you are unsure of your path, everyone says, "go to college, get a degree, and you'll figure it out". For years, I could not put myself in the shoes of the millions who have been burdened with that dilemma. Ever since MTV, I knew that I would be a musician. But when you are 12, or 18 or even 25, you don't care what kind of a musician you want to be. You just want to play music and not have to report to a "real job". And if you are lucky enough to experience that for any part of your life, you never want to go back. Since 1997, I have done nothing but play music in (some form or another) to make my living. And for that, I feel incredibly blessed. But as the years go by, and things are accomplished, I have started to ask myself - "am I living my dream?" In ways I suppose I am. 

But, no one ever talks about the time in our lives when our dreams change. I'm sure some people experience a nirvana and know the exact moment when it happens. For me, it has been gradual. Somewhere along the line, my goals have shifted. I cannot say what they actually are. All I know is that they are not the same as they were when I was listening to Slaughter and wearing a Bon Jovi t-shirt (admittedly, that could've been yesterday). I think it's OK for people's dreams to change. And I don't think there should be an age or time limit for it. If you are 26 and went to law school because that is what your parents expected of you, but you never really wanted to be a lawyer - you should be able to do an about face. If you are 38 and have worked in an office your whole life, but always dreamed of being a charter boat captain in the caribbean, you should be able to drop everything and go for it. And if you are 62 and always wanted to complete a marathon, but never had the time to devote to training - I say "Just do it"! Obviously, we all have responsibilities (financial and otherwise) to attend to, but if we are supported by our loved ones and are guided with an adventurous heart, we should never stop dreaming. And we should never stop the pursuit of our dreams.        

AM I THE ONLY ONE?

Since this is my first post, I'll take it easy on everyone. Am I the only one who feels like there is no answerability anymore? Recently it seems like the whole freakin' world has gone insane with incompetence and zero accountability. In almost every area of my life, (family excluded) everyone is passing the buck. No one returns calls, emails, or letters. And when they do get returned, they are returned late - and more often than not, without the information that was requested in the first place. Answers are absent, and customer service is even more elusive. No one takes pride in their job and employers have no loyalty for their employees. Good work is hard to find. So, why are companies so reluctant to reward their employers? Is it just the music business?????

Now look, I completely understand that times are tough. People are stressed. People are nervous and people are uneasy. But tell me, does that relieve people of their responsibilities? Does that give license for us to choose when and to whom we are responsible to? What the fu%* is going on?

In these moments of trepidation, this is exactly the time when people should be talking to each other. We should communicate. Talk through our problems and help each other find solutions. And can everyone stop pussy footing around? Say what the deal is. If you're not sure, then say you're not sure. If you know the deal, but are afraid of hurting someone's feelings, tell them what is going on. Trust me, they will appreciate the honesty and the fact that you are not wasting their time. 

Can we please make some efforts to be humans again? When we make a promise, let's keep it. When we make a statement, let's mean it. And when we make a commitment, let's honor it. 

Can I get an Amen?