Welcome to OBV! Glad to hear my observation shed some light for you.

>I seem to know what it is I love to do but have not had the energy to do it. This really did make me think I was on the wrong track.

You totally hit the nail on the head there. It’s quite confusing, isn’t it? We have to clear our minds before we can make heads or tails or about our situations. It’s frustrating, but unfortunately it’s true.

Oh, and thanks for the word “satori.” I’m from Japan, in case you didn’t know. I ought to use that word here and there.
Keep in touch!

ari

Thanks for taking the time to help put things in perspective. For a while now, I seem to know what it is I love to do but have not had the energy to do it. This really did make me think I was on the wrong track. The sound of my soul being sucked out masked my inner voice, telling me that I was doing the right thing.

Kinda feel like a little satori happening here.

Thanks again

George

Oh, and thanks for the kind comments at tumblemoose - made my day.

Tumblemoose’s last blog post..Well, I guess it’s all been said…

Indeed, the challenge and the depth of music is what compels me. Music is a life-long pursuit — I can devote my life time and yet never run out of room to explore. It’s like a big ocean. Most other things are finite, at least to me — you can dig, but sooner or later you hit the bottom. It’s great that I have found a passion that will never run out of fresh, new discoveries no matter how long I pursue.

This is a speculation, but I wonder if there is a fundamental difference between your art and my music, what roles they serve to us. A calling is a place where our own needs and the world’s needs meet. I make music because not only does it satisfy my creative needs, but I also know that music has tremendous power to touch and move people. I know, because it does to me. It speaks to me more powerfully than anything else — speeches, movies, books. Some people breathe music (even if they don’t make it themselves) because it means that much to them, and it is my great joy to be able to supply what I consider to be very good music.

Perhaps you find blogging more rewarding because it is a place where more of your needs and the world’s needs meet than your art, which may be more of a self-expression but may be missing the outward orientation that goes out and fulfills other people’s needs?

I’m sure you agree that ultimately, we are to serve a greater whole than just our measly selves — hence the activity that goes beyond yourself also has greater potential to come back and reward you richly.

ari

That’s interesting that music gives you so much life, yet is so hard. Maybe the challenge drives you!

I’m an artist so I can identify somewhat with you. However, it’s not what gives me life. Well, sometimes it does, but that’s not my main thing I guess you would say. I actually haven’t done any in a while. Sometimes the urge takes over though and it feels so good getting lost in it. What drives me more than anything is making a real lasting impact in people’s lives. Art doesn’t do that for me. Blogging is great for that part of me.

Jennifer’s last blog post..Change Your Life - One Thought at a Time - Part 3

That reminds me, I need to take down links to my post about self-actualization. It’s a long and bloated article that I plan to rewrite. With blog, navigation is always a challenge, isn’t it? There are some posts that can stay buried, but there are some I keep referring people to, like the one about life’s ultimate goal. Anyway, my blog is still a work in progress. So far I changed my tag line 3 times. I think I’m getting closer to nailing it.

Thanks for checking out my music! The CD is for sale. I’m really glad you like it. Yes, I really love making music. Music moves me like nothing else in the world. It’s the hardest thing I’ve done at the same time. It beats me up and shred me to pieces. It’s so, so hard. But I love it, and I believe in it.

In fact, blogging is definitely a side venture compared to my music. Unfortunately, blogging is easier to do than music — I need to be in a proper recording environment to make it, for example, whereas all I need with blogging is an internet and a laptop, anywhere. But I’m putting together a business plan that combine my music and online ventures in a fresh way. Within the next couple of weeks, I’m hoping to announce my intentions to the world. I don’t know how that’s going to help me, but I just feel that I need to let everyone know what I’m doing.

Thanks so much for an engaging conversation. It’s been fantastic to get to know you.

ari

Thanks so much for the link! I’m listening to your music now as I’m writing this. I like it! You do have a lot of talent with music. I’m so happy for you that you are doing what you love. Now, if you can only trim down your words then you can have more time to play music. ha!

We must have been in sync on reading each others’ blogs. Hey, great minds think alike! Is that an overgeneralization? Thanks for your comment!

Jennifer’s last blog post..Change Your Life - One Thought at a Time - Part 3

I did just comment on your new post. We must be in synch tonight.

Now, don’t overgeneralize (ha!) that I was talking about wordiness=immaturity applying to everybody. Some people can use every word effectively to write rich, flowing, long prose. I just know that I’m on a journey to learn “less is more” — when I read some of my early posts, I grimace at how belabored they are. I’m spewing words out because I’m too excited to have something to say, yet too insecure to just tell it like it is and leave it at that.

I’d like to think that I’m getting better. I do feel better about what I’ve been writing the last few weeks, compared to the exploratory posts in the beginning.

And by the way, you can listen to my music — at least what I have available. It may not be what you expect. It’s at http://aries9.com. There’s a lot more, and a lot of different kinds of music where it came from — I intend to make and release those as well, hopefully in the near future. Thanks for your interest!

ari

Well, if wordiness is a sign of immaturity, I must be very immature as well. It’s something I try to continually work on. That’s very interesting that that is your goal with music too - to leave out all the unnecessary notes. I picture you stringing one note out for a long time and then the song ends. I’d love to hear your music.

Back to the wordiness - I think a lot of it is personality. I had a very mature friend in college who talked a lot and wrote with a lot of words…..

If you get a chance I’d love to hear your thoughts on my recent post. Your comments are always among my favorites.

Jennifer’s last blog post..Change Your Life - One Thought at a Time - Part 3

I appreciate your thoughtful response. It’s interesting that you resonated with the shedding analogy — as I don’t hear that word used often to describe growth. As I said, I have this mental image of me being leaner and leaner — the more I grow, the less excess I have, and I’m left with nothing but the very essence. And I sense that that will be a very harmonious, coherent way to exist.

Funny enough, that’s sort of my aspiration with writing and music, too — to leave out all extra words and notes and just present only what’s absolutely needed. I’m not sure if I can really pull that off, but I definitely think it’s a sign of immaturity that I write so many words, for example. My editing process has more cutting out than adding stuff.

Hopefully I can articulate that growth experience a bit more in depth when I’m farther down the road.

Anyway, thanks for a great discussion!

ari

Yes — isn’t it amazing how you all the sudden “get it” at one point? You truly hear what you want to hear — even the most profound message just doesn’t come through, unless you’re ready to hear it.

Glad to hear you’re pursuing what you love!

ari