As much as we may think music about the musician, it’s not about him or her.
When we make our music we find ourself in an experience full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Simultaneously, we’re giving a gift to the world.
Imagine a joy so unexplainable that it spills over and gives joy to those who encounter it.
That is what happens when we make our music. We swap joy.
Giving > Receiving.
I believe you are a musician.
I believe there is song after song after song waiting to be awakened in you.
I believe there’s far too many people telling you what to believe your music should be.
I believe your music is your call.
I believe finding your music is your true and holy vocation.
I believe the vocation of finding your music will help move others into the same pursuit, resulting in a world of less noise and more music.
I believe your music is why you are here.
I believe we will all be better after having been exposed to your riffs, rhythm, and rhyme.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you have only an extemporaneous, half possession.”
A successful life is one that says ‘here’s my music.’
Emphasis on my (which is yours).
You need not borrow that which is already in you.
Leaders are orchestrators. They gather instruments and musicians and write, compose, arrange, and bring together the music at large.
But closer than the pen they hold to write their music, they hold awareness.
Awareness about what has happened.
Awareness about what is happening.
Awareness about what needs to happen.
Awareness about what is going to happen.
If your life or business doesn’t feel like an orchestra, pause and find what’s missing or what has been missed. Become aware.
The more we learn about leadership, education, health, disease, peace, and hope the more see it’s layered in awareness.
When we’re aware we can see. When we can see we can create. When we create we can make change. When we’re different today than we were yesterday, we’re fulfilled.
More often than not, we forget to celebrate the small and positive progressions in our lives.
We must celebrate the baby step, the meal without _______, the day without ________, the day with _________, debt reduced, a lesson learned, a skill honed, a moment made, and on and on.
There’s something about a celebration that makes us want to point towards more of what will lead us to another celebration tomorrow.
Greatness is formed in humble beginnings and mapped out via baby steps.
The unseen > what is seen……and what is typically overlooked will eventually be what you show the world.
Your excellence.
Your par performance.
Your excitement.
Your pity party.
Your outlook.
Your look inward.
Your encouragement.
Your discouragement.
Your belief.
Your disbelief.
Your pursuit of goals.
Your contentment.
These are just a few of the things we can’t wash our hands of, so be careful who you shakes hands with.
Chances are you were given disbelief by someone before you consistently spoke it to yourself.
On the flip side, look at where excellence is found in your life, and you probably can trace it back to a time where you were around someone who, well…sneezed excellence.
Ashton.Gustafson 