Tag Archives: Ashton Gustafson

Engage

In tune. Eye-locked. Active listening. Responsive.

These are the charming characteristics of one who engages.

Could it be that our addiction to technology is being fueled by its ability to now listen and respond to what we are saying?

We don’t forget those people and things that engage us.

Slap on some charm.

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If you don’t make a difference…

then what do you make?

Full disclosure, I’m not sure of the exact answer, or if there is one specific answer. But it’s probably, metaphorically, some form of noise. Something unnoticed. Something lost in the mix.

A life that makes a difference is one that points or leads in a way in which people or things are not the same after being encountered to it.

Your music is the difference you’re here to make.

Noise bounces.

Music sticks.

Finally, The Game has a name: Change.

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Music: The Gift of the Musician

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.

 

 

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Gardens

We all have gardens that obey the universal laws of harvest.

Cultivate the garden and the garden grows and blooms brilliantly with beauty and produce. Neglect the garden and the weeds spread and eventually take over. With either choice there’s an aftermath of growth.

Your art is a garden. Your family is a garden. Your career is a garden. Your hope is garden. Your passion is a garden. Let’s go deep…your soul is a garden. Let’s go wide…your life is a garden.

No matter your garden, your job isn’t to simply show up.

Your job is to cultivate day after day. Rain, sleet, snow, or shine.

Like it or not, something is going to grow.

Weeds: Noise. Flowers : Music.

And lucky farmer is an oxymoron.

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Paying Homage

Think of those things you honor and respect.

These could be people, ideas, principles, relationships, values, hobbies, etc.

When we daily pay homage to these things, we get in return a form of mutual respect.

The instrument(s) we play, or long to play, will respect our respect of the time involved to get to know them and their ways.

However, you can only appropriately pay homage to a few things well.

Example: If you want your life’s music to be about Generosity, then sit with her often. Ask her to show you her ways. Honor her and respect her history of success. Ask her to lead you into your experiences. Learn the threads that weave the warmth in her blanket over mankind. Eventually, Generosity will take notice of your time and studious approach and you will be leading a generous life.

In other words, where does a pianist sit? With his piano.

Whatever you choose to honor daily, choose with the hope and aim of music in the end. This will help you decipher between honoring and respecting something that leads to noise and something that will eventually lead to music.

Mutual respect and honor between musicians and their instruments just may be the holy formula of symphony.

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