This was the fourth year of posting thoughts and reflections on making music with our lives, relationships, and businesses.
Thank you for your support and kind words. It is day one for all of us and that is great news.
Below you’ll find the most read and shared posts for 2015.
LTMP Podcast: Introduction to Let The Music Play.
The Uncertainty That Comes With The Alchemy of Our Days.
I’m always in about 10 different books at a time. So I thought to share some the latest ones that have been interesting and fun!
Here’s a few that you may enjoy unwinding 2015 with….
Beauty: The Invisible Embrace – John O’donohue
I read from this book in my last podcast and have journeyed further into O’donohue’s words since then. If you’re looking for deeper and calmer presence in your days a way to increase your awareness to the depths of beauty that surrounds you, this is something you should read. But please, read it slow…sip it and then live it. If you haven’t checked out LTMP Podcast, we would love to have you join us and check out the last episode by clicking here.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
I’m late to the ball on this one. Nevertheless, I learned about the Broadway Musical, Hamilton, on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago. Today I started to listen to the soundtrack for the musical that is unlike anything I’ve experienced in a long time. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s genius shines so bright here…Story and music, I’m all in.
Franklin BBQ: A Meat Smoking Manifesto – Aaron Franklin & Jordan Mackay
You’re now getting a glimpse into the randomness of my library. But let me say, if you’re an artist or a foodie, you’ll love this. And if you’re neither artist or foodie or from Texas, at least you’ll have a new appreciation for the religion that is Texas BBQ.
Dark Matter and Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe – Lisa Randall
This book kept crossing my path in all kinds of ways. First, I listened to Lisa’s interview at On Being with Krista Tippett. Next, I received Maria Popova’s weekly newsletter from Brain Pickings and noticed she posted a review in this week’s in The New York Times. Congrats Maria! As always, thank you Krista! And Lisa, I’m thankful for wonderers like you!
Ok friends! I hope you get to sit still by the fire with one of these before 2016 arrives. Really, do you need anything more than history, beauty, dark matter, and barbecue?
PS – Don’t forget to check out my Project November, December: Gratitude to Joy on Instagram.
LTMP Episode 13: Riffing On Mystery
This is a super short episode where we’re riffing on the beauty that unfolds with uncertainty, mystery, and Divinity.
Don’t forget to subscribe in iTunes by clicking here.
Enjoy.
Unnamed poem read and written by Ashton Gustafson
Sometimes it takes a billion stars to get the point across.
They shine the way, call our names, and beg us to come on.
There will be uncertainty on the way to Eternity.
But I believe that up His sleeve Divinity holds beauty.
Sometimes our songs can right our wrongs and say what words can’t say.
When our melodies make jubilee that’s the story of our days.
There will be uncertainty on the way to Eternity.
But when poetry lacks symmetry that’s where you’ll find its beauty.
Sometime it takes a billion storms for God to fill the seas.
Could the same be true for the me and you we call Humanity?
There will be uncertainty on the way to Eternity.
But I believe that up His sleeve Divinity holds beauty.
It’s been a while and it’s good to be back!
In this episode we talk about the beauty and the metaphors that can be found in the season of Autumn that is upon us.
You can also subscribe to the #LTMP podcast in iTunes by clicking here.
Find out more about the band, The War On Drugs, on this episode by clicking here. You can also purchase their record, Lost in the Dream, by clicking here in iTunes. Spotify users can find them by clicking here. Please support the artists you love…their work helps us make sense of it all!
Lastly, we discuss three great books in this episode. They can all be found below in the Amazon Store.
Falling Upward – Richard Rohr.
Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better – Pema Chodron.
Autumn – By Ashton Gustafson
Ego of the trees burning away,
green to gold to bourbon fade.
Night stays long – the candle’s friend,
a majestic unwind curls spring’s next grin.
So now we may waltz with what sheds in the fall
for there’s no other way to rise through it all.
Grounded in love and making room for the bloom,
Autumn, the first verse of what’s ‘to be continued’.
Episode 11: Evan Rosell, Finding Your True Self, & The Bluebird
You can listen by clicking the button below or find it in iTunes by clicking here.
Today, we had a first at LTMP Podcast…I had the honor and privilege to have and share a conversation with Evan Rosell, Pastor of Ministry Leadership at Redeemer Fellowship in Kansas City, MO.
A few weeks ago, Evan and I had one of our sporadic phone calls. After about an hour of riffing back and forth on new ideas, concepts, books, and journeys, I asked if he would be up for recording a call and sharing it on the podcast. He agreed and I think you’ll enjoy it!
More love,
Ashton
PS – If you haven’t watched Chef’s Table on Netflix, you are missing out. It is crazy-beautiful, wonderfully inspiring and I’m watching it tonight.
Ashton.Gustafson 