2022
I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. They
usually last until January 3rd then we’re back on the couch eating
pie and ice cream. Don’t get me wrong I don’t have anything against pie and ice
cream, I love the stuff. It’s just hard
not to settle back into our old ways and come up with a myriad of reasons to not
go to the gym, or do whatever else it is that we’ve told ourselves we want to
do in the New Year ahead.
On January 1st it’s easy to think “New Year new
me.” It’s finally time to go to the gym
and get ripped. Or maybe you’re ready to finally write that book, short story,
song or poem. Maybe it’s learning a
musical instrument or getting better at the one you already play. Maybe you’ve always wanted to take an art
class, or an acting class. It could be
something as deep as studying spirituality or something as dark as letting go
of a demand like alcoholism, drug addiction or quitting smoking.
No matter what it is one thing is for sure you’re going to encounter
resistance. Human nature will have you to take the path of least resistance
every time if you allow it, and it will rear its ugly little head in many different
ways.
Musicians and artiest say they’re uninspired, writers will
say they are experiencing writers block. Not being inspired is a load of crap!
It’s 2022 and inspiration is everywhere. Example, let’s say you’re a guitar
player and you feel uninspired. Go to YouTube and type in 10 year old guitar
player. You’ll be bombarded by kids who are 10 years old shredding on the guitar.
That’s inspiration but inspiration will only get you so far.
The problem is you’re 54 years old and have been playing
guitar for years and you’re not nearly as good as this 10 year old brat who’s
dad filmed him playing, “The Devil On Spanish Highway” and uploaded it to YouTube
and now he has over a million views. Inspiration
coupled with jealousy and envy make you pick up your guitar to try to play the
same thing only to be met by a voice in your head screaming at you, “YOU SUCK
DON’TEVEN TRY!!” That voice stops you in
your tracks and you set the guitar down. That’s resistance at work and since
you set down your guitar resistance has not only done its job it won the fight.
If you really want to shred like the 10 year old you can.
However, that requires discipline. Discipline
is what got that 10 year old kid on YouTube. Well, that and his dads I-Phone. He wasn’t born playing the guitar that way.
Granted he might have been born with a certain amount of natural musical talent
but he had to nurture that talent even at a young age. That took disciplined. He
did the work, period.
Even if you’re not a writer you’ve heard of writers block. There’s
another load of crap! Writers block does not exist. It’s something we made up years ago to give
ourselves an out to not do the work. If you want to write, sit down and write. You
might need inspiration to write. Look to your left. What do you see? Write about
it.
Hell I’ll admit it. I’m inspired right now because it’s New
Year’s Day. However, I have to use a lot discipline to write this blog and not
go sit on the couch and watch the Rose Parade.
I too have had to beat down the voice in my head that is telling me, screaming
at me, “No one will give a damn or even read this stupid blog. Why bother? You’re not getting paid to write this, your
thoughts and opinion don’t matter to anyone. This is an act of pure narcissism
to even think anyone will care about your opinion all Robley. Get over yourself
and go get a piece of that left over pumpkin pie in the fridge that you love so
much and chill out.”
That is resistance talking. Not only have I had to beat that little
bastard down, I gave him the name, Lawrence, so I can yell back and tell him to get the
hell out of my head. He’s a scared
little jerk who just needs to shut up, so that’s what I tell that little
f&^*er ,” SHUT HELL UP!!” It works.
I’m writing.
Since this is a blog and not a book I’ll wrap it up. If
there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a professional drummer it’s that
you have to wear a lot of hats to make things work. My friend Dan Dauze says,
“Some days you’re a drummer, some days you’re a plumber.” That’s so true.
There are days I’m on stage playing my drums and basking in
the glory of an entertained audience who love what I’m playing. However later
that same night I might be on the side of the road changing a tire on the bands
trailer 100 miles from civilization in both directions. Not so glorious anymore is it? Some days I’m
teaching a 5 year old kid quarter notes and talking about correct sticking
strokes and still other day’s I’m writing blogs that might not be read by
anyone.
No matter what it is that I’m doing to move my little dog
and pony show down the road it takes work, a team of other people to do their
jobs at the right time, inspiration, motivation a lot of love and a ton of
discipline.
In the coming year I hope you can find the a little bit of
all of the above to help you do what you want, and or need, to do to fill your
soul. Go to the gym, life the weights, take the class, pick up the instrument, take
some lessons, grab the pen and paper, write the story, draw the picture or paint
the painting. Find the courage to walk into an A.A. meeting, an N.A. meeting
and kick the demon to the curb. Feel the victory and don’t be afraid of the
failures or setbacks. The man at the top of a mountain didn’t fall there. He
climbed that son of a bitch and fought for every inch.
See the things that inspire you and find the courage,
motivation and most importantly the discipline to do the work and be the best
you that you can be. Have a fantastic and blessed 2022
Happy New Year.
BRR
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