26 July 2011
20 July 2011
I can't even begin to explain how successful this past weekend was. There were friends from New York and really good roommates. There was the Park Plaza bar and the Rattlesnake roof deck. There was the Boston beer marathon. There was a severe lack of food because sometimes you forget to eat when you drink all day. There were a lot of awkward moments and even some arguments. But I'm really starting to believe that that last sentence is what makes life interesting, and that it's only a sign of friendship. If I was spending the weekend in a city full of strangers, would either of those things be possible? Sometimes, it's exactly what you need to remind you what's important. I'm not saying I'm staying, but I just might be able to make it through the next six months...
I came across this wonderful "How to be Happy Come Hell or Highwater" list and I just had to share. This is actually the third addition, but it's my favorite. To check out the first or second part, see her full blog post here.
1. Let your guard down. Don’t worry about how you sound or how you look or what it means. Let yourself be you, whoever you are in that very moment.
2. Lock arms with a dear friend. Declare your love. Say you’ll be together for ever. Mean it. When things break (and they will always break), lock arms again and say, “Tell me everything.” (This I’m learning how to do for the very first time.)
3. Make space for a little adventure. Say yes to the unexpected invitation. Don’t think twice when someone asks you what you want. There’s no shame in that, and you will not be sorry.
4. Let your eyes say everything. You don’t have to spell it all out. Be delighted. Shine.
5. Be devoted. Give your heart over to this moment. See the goodness in it, don’t be afraid to worship. Don’t hold back your appreciation.
6. Put your records on. Dance.
7. Lie down in the grass and look at the sky. Invite someone you barely know to lie down next to you, if only for one minute. Send someone you love who is suffering out into the grass to lie down until they feel better. (Thanks, Anne, for this one!)
8. Take the long way home. Forget about faster, finer or more efficient. When you meander, magic happens. The only way to find your way is to be okay with being lost for awhile.
9. Become an exquisite listener. Lean in, fine tune your focus. Realize that that story you are listening to is meant to be your story, too. Especially if that story stirs up jealousy or longing.
10. Tell a story. The true story. About right now. Don’t be afraid to be foolish, because it’s foolish to let a minute go by without being true to who you really are.
1. Let your guard down. Don’t worry about how you sound or how you look or what it means. Let yourself be you, whoever you are in that very moment.
2. Lock arms with a dear friend. Declare your love. Say you’ll be together for ever. Mean it. When things break (and they will always break), lock arms again and say, “Tell me everything.” (This I’m learning how to do for the very first time.)
3. Make space for a little adventure. Say yes to the unexpected invitation. Don’t think twice when someone asks you what you want. There’s no shame in that, and you will not be sorry.
4. Let your eyes say everything. You don’t have to spell it all out. Be delighted. Shine.
5. Be devoted. Give your heart over to this moment. See the goodness in it, don’t be afraid to worship. Don’t hold back your appreciation.
6. Put your records on. Dance.
7. Lie down in the grass and look at the sky. Invite someone you barely know to lie down next to you, if only for one minute. Send someone you love who is suffering out into the grass to lie down until they feel better. (Thanks, Anne, for this one!)
8. Take the long way home. Forget about faster, finer or more efficient. When you meander, magic happens. The only way to find your way is to be okay with being lost for awhile.
9. Become an exquisite listener. Lean in, fine tune your focus. Realize that that story you are listening to is meant to be your story, too. Especially if that story stirs up jealousy or longing.
10. Tell a story. The true story. About right now. Don’t be afraid to be foolish, because it’s foolish to let a minute go by without being true to who you really are.
19 July 2011
14 July 2011
12 July 2011
In the beginning of June I wrote about how an old mentor of mine had passed away. I recently found a great ode to him in the Asbury Park Press. It's beautifully written, but I couldn't help but notice that it didn't mention the fact that he was a piano teacher.. although the one about his memorial service does. I guess it could be seen as a good thing when you had a life so abundant in love and success that its near impossible to remember every little part of it. He rocked The Jukes, Asbury, Bruce, and he will be sorely missed by many. But he touched the lives of so many other people who knew him on a personal level. I knew him as a loving father, and an amazing teacher and friend, as someone who sat with me while I was determined to play through the entire Les Miserables playbook without every practicing at home. He never gave up on me, and I miss him more than ever now that he's gone.
When Clarence Clemmons passed away shortly after, New Jersey took another huge loss and I selfishly felt as though The Big Man's death, as sad as it is, has overshadowed Kevin's. I'm now happy to see that people are coming together and playing tribute shows to them both, and recognizing both Kevin and Clemmons as Jersey shore legends. Watch them rock here. Rest In Peace.
When Clarence Clemmons passed away shortly after, New Jersey took another huge loss and I selfishly felt as though The Big Man's death, as sad as it is, has overshadowed Kevin's. I'm now happy to see that people are coming together and playing tribute shows to them both, and recognizing both Kevin and Clemmons as Jersey shore legends. Watch them rock here. Rest In Peace.
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