Kindness

It goes a long, long way.

I'm not a big crier. Or, maybe I'm in an age-defined denial. The older I get, the more I get weepy on someone's behalf. Regardless, my friend T. got me today with this quote: No one has ever said they will handle something FOR me. Can I give you a hug to thank you?

She had big crocodile tears streaming down her face. I had recommended two people to her to help her realize her "one dream." "Call them," I said. "Stop being intimidated by your unknowns."

She is beautiful, and she has been dealt a much more difficult deck of cards than I. And, two of my friends, one old and one new, showed a beautiful kindness today. I called them both to tell them so, and to thank them. "You made a difference in someone's life today," I said to both of them.

Kindness matters.

We should be more conscious of that.

-b

Here's One for the Songwriters

When I'm included on the faculty at songwriting worshops and seminars, the one thing I've noticed over and over that the registrants want is access. They want a few minutes of time from someone is who doing what they want to do. People just want to talk, some people just want you to listen to their songs, some people really want honest feedback, and then some people just want you tell them how great they are (whether they are or not.)

My awesome friend and songwriter J.P. Williams called me several months back and invited me in on a writing session with someone who I think most any writer worth their salt would love to be in the room with. Since then, I've written many times with Rory Bourke. Here's just the first paragraph of his bio:

During a career of more than thirty years, Rory Michael Bourke has had songs recorded by Anne Murray, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Phil Vassar, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Julio Iglesias, Tim McGraw, and many others. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989 and has been named ASCAP Writer of the Year three times: 1976, 1979, and 1983. He is a four-time Grammy nominee and the recipient of two CMA triple play awards. He served on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for many years.

It's been such a pleasure getting to know Rory and Rita. He's not even billing me for hanging around so much (yet.)

I say all of this to say that if you're interested in writing songs, and truly writing those songs that last a lifetime, Rory is an expert proven time and time again. While I can't offer you access, I can get you the stories. Well, actually, you'll have to get those yourselves, too. Check out Rory's blog:

www.rorybourke.com

Enjoy-
-b

Satisfaction

I've been looking over my tax returns. Fun stuff. I just put down the tax return for 2003, actually. Looking back over the years of self-employment, the up's and the down's, has gotten me to thinking.

Over the past ten years, I've turned down two big-salary job offers outside my creative field, and I've basically done everything I can to keep my time focused on my creative passions. I've passed on the kind of security many people work their whole lives for. I've chosen my dreams over common sense options time and time again.


I'm not saying that my life choices would be for everyone. Certainly not. But, I can say that I'm okay with how I've done what I've done. I may never own my personal island in the tropics, but I've made a good life, with good friends and a good family. I can pay my bills, I have food on my table and I get to travel a little. Most of my dreams have already come true. That's a big thing to be able to say.

So, no, I wouldn't change how I've done things. I definitely would not.
I'm satisfied.

-b