As the Ringling Bros tour comes to a close there are many different feelings and emotions in the air. I am always trying to be the most positive and inspiring person I can be. Sometimes it’s hard, especially since you are just one human being and succumbed to a “seemingly consistent” environment of negativity. Some adventures and interactions have inspired me lately and I want to share those with you.
“Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have been taking time in between tour dates and seeing things I have never seen before. I have been writing some music and generally just thinking a lot. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a craft beer fan. Recently I was able to travel through Delaware and visit one of my favorite breweries: DogfishHead in Milton, DE. While I was doing the brewery tour I saw this quote (pictured above) on the back side of the main building. I found this to be extremely inspiring… I literally stood there staring at this wall for a few minutes and read this quote over and over. I even pulled up the picture on my phone later and read it over and over. As I write this blog post, I’ve already stopped a couple times, and I can’t stop internalizing its meaning. This quote is timeless and perfect in so many ways. This is a what we are meant to do and be, that is, we aren’t meant to do or be anything. We are to be nonconformist, we are to be unique and original. We can’t get caught up in what other people are doing or what past generations have done. Maybe we are scared and maybe we are comfortable in our lives, but we have to explore.
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” -William Arthur Ward
The very next day I sat near the ocean in Bethany Beach, DE with my acoustic guitar, pad and a pencil. I wrote some guitar stuff, but more importantly I pondered a very important thought. A thought inspired by the quote on the wall at DogfishHead. I just started writing lyrics, lyrics that kind of struck a few emotional chords. What keeps us going? What keeps you doing what you do? There is/was a fire that made you excited and enthusiastic about what you do. This fire carries your charisma, its connects your soul with the unknown forces that push you into successes. My lyrics, in a nutshell, were about bringing the fire back. The feeling that makes you be your best and never give up. I really do believe you can accomplish anything. Sometimes you have to get away from the usual routine and allow yourself to think and dream.
Just make sure you are putting your coffee in the right cup…
