Dancing to your music
No man steps in the same river twice.
This post was inspired by recent events, a friend who has fallen ill, an e-mail from a friend (Anita), an audio book, The Secrets of the Power of Intention (Dr. Dwayne Dyer), and all of you who stop by and take the time to share your story. And last, but in no way least, my darling life-partner, my wife, Vera who helps me to believe.
Don’t die with the music still in your heart.
I have no idea who said that, nor does it matter. I want to explore what it means in this post, at least what it means to me.
Growing up, our well meaning parents tell us what is right or wrong. They tell us what to do. What not to do. How to do, etc. Though well meaning, it puts a clamp on things. It writes a script for us to follow in later years. On a larger scale, there is our society. If you look at different societies, you’ll see what is important varies by culture. In the middle east, perhaps it is religion and doing things the old way. In the United States it’s independence, having a good job, and making a good ‘show’ of things. Being successful. Being thin. Being the right color, the right size, the right _____, as if there were any such thing as the ‘right’ way to be.
Each day we march dutifully to the job that we were trained for, perhaps, or the one that we could get that would support our lifestyle. What is a lifestyle anyway? Is it a series of paychecks to allow us to have the right car, the right house, and the right stuff? We continuously put of things that we would like to do, things that may fulfill us in favor of the ‘script’ that has been written for us. We are minor bit players in our own lives. We should have the staring role, not a mere mention at the far end of the credits after the Best Boy and Gaffer! We trade our life for money and give over control to the ‘system’, or matrix if you will, as if we don’t have a choice. We do.
No one is promised tomorrow.
Africa: Anatomy of a decision
For starters, I have a very deep sense of responsibility. A sense to do what is ‘right’ for my wife, for my family, for my friends, paying bills, etc. For my entire life, I have been a very responsible individual.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to go to Africa. Perhaps it all started while I was watching Alex Haley’s Roots miniseries. Perhaps it started back in grade school when we learned about the exotic animals of the African plains. Perhaps it started with my subscription to National Geographic long, long ago. Perhaps it started when we studied slavery in school. I don’t remember, but it seems to be a constant companion. When I saw the advertisement to go to Africa with David DuChemin, I immediately felt it tug at my song, my heart strings. Immediately, I squashed it back down. Responsibility.
“I have these bills to pay. Tony is in private school. We are trying to help my wife’s parents. etc. I cannot possibly be irresponsible and go. No can do.”.
Knowing myself, I sent an immediate e-mail to my wife telling her that it would be nice to go. She responded the way that I knew she would:
“You need to go! You’ve been wanting to since I’ve known you. We can make it work!!!”.
Perhaps not an exact quote, but certainly the exact meaning. Will this trip be a life changing experience, certainly. Everything that happens in our lives changes it in some small way. As they say, no man steps into the same river twice.
Which way will you turn the volume knob?
How many times have you squashed that tiny voice that is telling you to follow your hearts desire? It doesn’t have to mean acting irresponsibly, but it does yearn to be set free. One of my other things that I feel that I ‘must’ do is to meet a lot of you. I’m already planning a trip with Chris, who just discovered my blog only a week or two ago. We are going to White Sands later this year.
How many times have you been affected by the sickness, or perhaps even the death, of someone close to you or someone you knew and said that you were going to make a change. You said that you were going to live your life out loud and unafraid, only to sink back down into the ego-protected space. That great pretender, the ego, a mere drop who thinks that it is the ocean. That ‘other voice’ telling you that good enough is good enough. Well, it isn’t. You deserve to give yourself much more. You are special.
I’m starting to hear the music, and by the way this blog is a big part of my music, and my feet are starting to tap …
My heart is warm and I’m smiling. I think it’s because I hear the sound of that song and wait—is that a tapping sound I hear? What a lovely and inspiring story. Thank you for reminding us all to listen. By the way, the photo is a perfect accompaniment.
Your beautiful ethereal photo drew me into the post, and for me it as a timely thing to read, having just recently started to listen to that little voice. I’m trying to run my own photography business now and it’s quite scary sometimes, but reading this reminded me of why I took the step in the first place. Thanks!
@Anita: Thanks, Anita: As I said, you are an inspiration!
@Stefan: Congratulations on starting your business, Stefan! You took a tremendous leap of faith and courage!
“Don’t die with the music still in your heart” ?
Oh, I certainly want to do that. Dying without the music sounds terrible to me.
Keep tapping, enjoy the music – and learn new songs! A trip to africa will most likely be a whole new sinfony in your life. I guess we’re all looking forward to hear, err, see and read about all the arias that you’ll bring back…;)
God, I’m getting jealous. Mhh…
@Thomas: The music will always be there, just don’t die without letting it out for the world, and yourself, to hear. No need in getting jealous. Sae your pennies and join me!
Your timing couldn’t have been better, since I’m also building my photography into a business. It’s taking a while to get things going, but it’s starting to come together… it’s a long road, but the journey itself is proving to be, although bumpy, overall quite rewarding.
I’ll be looking forward to your pictures from the Africa trip!
It’s great you’re going (to Africa). In some ways you’re going for us, as we all (those who care about you and/or read this blog) aren’t going.
You share your experiences masterfully through the photos…this trip will be more than just a blessing for you, it will extend to your family directly and to us who know you and enjoy your photographs.
So go, feel good about it, and don’t keep the photos to yourself when you get back!
Rakesh: Congratulations on starting your business and listening to your own song!
@Rob: You can believe that I’ll be sharing lots of photos and thoughts. I’m sure that we’ll probably have Internet access at the hotel, so I can probably share ‘almost live’, if time allows. You’ll probably get tired of hearing about it.
There are very few things I know for sure… This is one of them, Share Your Life. In other words, bring your wife to Africa!
Paul,
We seem to be hearing the same song, just different venues. In the vernacular of the 60′s, ‘Do it man, you don’t have a hair on your *ss if you don’t’.
For me, after living in the desert, I long for the mountains, cold streams and the Montana trout are singing a sirens song. Good visuals up there and is called the “Big Sky Country” for a reason.
By all means, take the lovely bride if she is so inclined. This life is not a dress rehearsal.
Be well and a safe journey.
Steve
@Bob/Steve: I am flying solo on this one. As a matter of fact, she wants me to. Of course, I would love for her to go, but she understands that if she did, I would want to spend time with her and wouldn’t necessarily get to spend the time getting to know the other people and put in the number of hours that I would want to talking shop, etc. We are both the same way in that regard. I would want the same for her were she to make her own journey.
Opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “David Copperfield”:
“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”
Be the hero of your own life!
You’re quite a philosopher, thinking a lot of life. This is what made me start reading your blog in the first place, you play on strings that resonate with me. It’s certainly an balance act, the needs and wishes of others on one side and you on the other. Your wife’s response on whether you should go to Africa or not speaks by itself. By what you write I believe you’re doing a good job keeping this balance, actually I wouldn’t be surprised if you give more than you get. I guess it’s like how you listen to the small voices around you; you should also listen carefully to your own, how small it ever is.