Celebrating Our Musical Journeys

Music is no doubt a gift. And even more so if you have the ability creatively to make it. For starters, none of us are promised tomorrow, nor are we promised that our voice or abilities to play an instrument couldn’t be taken away in an instant. So with that in mind, we should be appreciative enough of our creative abilities. Beyond that, think of how you were impacted the first time you heard a song you couldn’t get out of your head. Or that first album that blew your mind from front to back. A new place in your senses getting reached with each song. How you couldn’t wait for it to be on sale so you could buy it. And how it helped shape the way you listen to and make music today.

When you picked up a guitar for the first time and how you still basically haven’t put it down since then…the first time you sat down at a piano and realized it was your new creative home. These moments don’t just shape our musical direction. They shape our lives. And they help form the soundtrack that’s the backdrop to them. So yes, thankful probably is too small of a word for it.

So now here you are. The one making the music that has the potential to impact another heart and mind like those songs and moments impacted yours. And because of it, helping to shape that life. It’s not a small deal. Does it mean you’ll be responsible for their decisions or the good and bad that comes down the road they travel. No. But it does mean that with the power of your music, you can inspire them, help them dream and make them think. Or just enable them to escape and be entertained in a way that clears their mind and allows something else to do all of the above…And that matters. A lot.

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With those thoughts in mind here are a few things to keep close to your creative heart and the purpose behind it….

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1. At some point during the creation of the song or project, ask yourself what category you think it falls into. I understand when inspiration comes the last thing you want to do is categorize the potential impact the song could have on someone. So I’m not suggesting that. However, once you have a chance to step back and look at it, ask yourself, is this something that will entertain someone, inspire someone, challenge someone? The more we ask ourselves these questions the more intent begins to soak into our process.

2. When you’re writing challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone. If you’re used to writing things that are lighthearted, take on more serious content as a drill. And flip the drill if it’s the opposite as your norm. The more you broaden yourself as a writer, the more potential scope of influence you can have in a positive way.

3. Sit down with other creative people, and discuss how your music can make a positive impact. It sounds simple, but the more the discussion is open amongst ourselves the more we have an opportunity for positive influence.

4. When you are performing understand that there could be one person in the audience, who is supposed to hear what you have to say or sing. The effort and heart you put into your time in front of them, could matter in a greater way than you could ever imagine. Keep in mind that the most influential people in history had to be influenced by someone else at some point.

5. Try (if it’s at all safe and possible) to spend some time with at least some of the people who paid to be a part of your show. A moment of your time and positive energy could impact a life far more than you’d anticipate.

6. Mentor a younger musician, who’s not as far along in the musical process as you. In these moments, you will be able to look into the eyes of the ones you’re spending time with, and literally see the appreciation of the impact you’re making

7. Take the time to read about, or watch documentaries of artists or writers that were impactful in your own life. More times than not you will find that as they and their career progressed, their purpose and potential impact grew more important to them than anything self-indulgent.

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