Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Looking Within the Garden of the Mind

We are what we think. Are the stories I tell myself about life useful? Am I happy? Courageous? Productive? Look beyond the shadows these stories cast upon me and others. Plant new seeds in the garden of the mind. Changing thoughts shifts actions. New stories arise. Now is the time to begin. Am I listening Patrick? Are you?

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Am I Willing to Listen?


 How do I listen to others? As is everyone were my Master speaking to me his cherished last words. - Hafiz

How do I listen to myself? 


Often I need help hearing myself. Right now I really need to listen to myself. How will I create time and energy to get the work done I need to do in releasing Fences, Frames and Alleys? 


Do I want to listen? What if these were my cherished last notes? 


Photo by Andy McQuire

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Even Though I Know Better




Getting ready for the gig tomorrow. Morning practice was fruitful. Afternoon enlightening. Then I decided to pick up the guitar around 8pm even though I was tired. I know better but …

Self-judgement. The ancestors loaded me up on this one. Grateful I have a meditation practice that aids in releasing this and other formations. Sill the right causes and conditions arise and there I am. Making my music practice harder for myself. We begin again constantly and then some. Able to laugh now, even earlier but man what a pain. I know better than to practice when tired, but like the book says “we dwell in forgetfulness."

Tomorrow at 3pm EST I will perform 4 original solo guitar pieces for HomeSong4Life. Listen here:

H4L



Photo by Lisa Zines

Monday, March 1, 2021

Decisions


 Am I making the right decisions to serve my vision as a musician? Am I practicing in a way that best serves the music?


Good to take inventory periodically. If I do not know what I have, how I am using my time and resources then I may miss my aim. Is my vision realistic? Time is precious. Life is precious. How I use my time is how I serve life. May I play with presence, passion and precision. 


Determined the set for Thursday at 3pm HomeSong 4 Life gig. I will perform Taking Flight for the first time in a public setting. World premiere? Audacious. Back to practicing.


Photo by Rosemarie Voegtil