Hello world! Yes, I know that has been used before. Since this is my first blog post, it seems appropriate. Let’s start with the basics. I’m on a search. My search is for inspiration and passion. I’ve always had both as part of my life. Now I want to really focus and explore what inspires me, and ignites my passion. I like that phrase, “ignites my passion.”
I am a musician, have been since I was three. My grandmother read about a new style of violin lessons being offered in town, and gave my sister, and then me, a year of lessons as a gift. We kept playing, and music became a core element of both our lives. Fast forward to now.
I am a musician with a day job. My wife is a writer and actor who has her own blog about her experiences being a solo performer. We are about to embark on the adventure of moving from Berkeley, California, across the country to New York City. She has lived in New York, I have not. Moving means changing jobs, bands, finding a new place to live, etc.
In our discussions about the many options ahead of us, we’ve talked about what we want to be doing, and how best to achieve our goals. I would like to make my music a bigger part of my life. In thinking about how to do that, especially in context of being in a new city, I need to consider what I like about creating music, and how I want to pursue it. Most of my music making so far has been as a member of a band or accompanying a singer, playing live gigs.
I really enjoy working in the ensemble setting, and creating an experience for the audience. The transitory nature of live music can be quite fun, and certainly means creating and recreating each time. I have done some studio work, but haven’t really explored it deeply. Other options I’ve barely explored are composing, being a band leader, and solo work. There are sure to be many options I’ve not yet thought about.
Weeks ago, when asked what type of music I enjoy playing the most, I answered that I really like being in an ensemble, playing live. As I’ve thought more about it, I realize my answer may have been based on what I’ve had the most experience doing, without taking into account what’s less familiar to me.
When asked what I’m most passionate about, I felt unable to fully articulate the answer. There are many elements of being a musician that I like such as being part of a group of people creating a shared experience, the excitement of the roller coaster ride of improvising on a tune that is challenging and new to me, creating a groove for other musicians to play to and for people to dance to, and the joy of creating something of beauty. However, I cannot say for sure what I feel most passionate about.
I’m a regular reader of Leo Babauta’s excellent blog, Zen Habits. His story of finding a life of simplicity and becoming a full time writer is inspiring. A recent Zen Habits guest post titled “Simple Daily Habits to Ignite Your Passion” by Scott Dinsmore of LiveYourLegend, jumped out at me. One of his recommended habits is to keep a journal of what inspires and excites us. This seemed like a very good idea. Given that his final recommendation is to start a blog, and I’ve recently read several other posts encouraging readers to start blogs, in addition to watching my wife’s blogging develop, I’ve decided my journal of what inspires and excites me will be an online journal.
In this process of sharing my discoveries, I hope to explore both what speaks to me, and my observations of others around me. Scott’s first recommendation is to surround ourselves with passionate people. I already have many passionate people in my life, and look to find more.
Since this is an exploration, I don’t know where this will lead, or who and what might follow, but I am certainly looking forward to it.