You know,  sometimes life will teach you lessons that you didn’t know you needed.  And said lessons may come at a time not expected.

I have lived for more that five decades and through parts of two centuries (I just like saying that..).  All of my life I have been the emotional and mental support for those close to me. While I have faced life challenges just as the rest of us I have been blessed to be the person who others seek to talk to.

Well, a few months ago I told my wife that my brain felt like it was moving. My thoughts just kept going and going and as soon as I finished one thing I had to do the next thing.  I couldn’t rest.  Thought it was anxiety but turned out to be overactive synapse activity. There is actually a name for it but it’s too damn long to spell or remember.

Remedy: doctor said to feed my Spirit and soul. So I took a class. And then I got an idea. I started playing electric bass at 16 years old. Mostly self-taught until around age 30.  A lesson with one of the more accomplished players helped to expand my knowledge and accelerate my development. Sooo…..

I recently started playing guitar, right?  Right. Why not take guitar lessons?  Why not?  I don’t want to wait for 14 years like I did with the bass.

One of my sons plays in a band  with a great young guitarist who offered lessons at my leisure. I took him up on his offer today and my playing showed immédiate benefits.  Thank you Tyler Bartram! Thank you for showing this old dog that it’s never too late to learn new guitar tricks.

It’s extremely rare for me to have enough leisure time to practice music. Even more so to find time to practice multiple instruments.

A long time ago in a galaxy far away I was once actually in my twenties.  Single. No kids. Days lasted forever. So did my energy…  I can recall working from 8am to 4pm, working out from 4:30 until 6pm, going to class from 7pm until 9pm and going home to practice bass, guitar and keyboard from 10pm until midnight.  Five days a week! Completed all my class assignments on the weekends to free up the weekdays. On occasional summer nights I would go for a midnight spin just to enjoy the freedom and the breeze.  A late night snack was a usually a part of the journey. Hehe…..

Fast forward to the current galaxy and time. I barely have the time to THINK about what I want to do let alone DO IT! Seriously.  I usually have dinner with my family around seven and by the time I start the evening activities it is already 9pm. A couple of phone calls later and its 10:30.  Without even realizing it I am lying on the bed wondering where the time went. And I’m yawning…….

So imagine my surprise when today, after a few appointments, I arrived home a little early. Got my chores out of the way. Got a “50 Year Old Man Workout” in. And I wasn’t tired. 7:30pm. Man I turned on some music and played my bass for the first time in a couple of years.  WHAT? Learned three new songs too. I ain’t playin’ wit’chall! Still wasn’t tired. 9:30pm. Grabbed my guitar!?! Boy this shit ready get real! First time in what, maybe 30 years, that I picked my bass and my guitar on the same day. Hell, I might even hop in the car and take a midnight ride tonight.

Hold on for a second………I just  had to yawn. Hold on. One more yawn. That’s enough with this guitar. Almost 10 o’clock. Aw’ man I’m tired. What do I have to do tomorrow?

I hear myself breathing, restless with no creative thoughts, all the while trying to slow my mind.

Yet the instance that I close my eyes and count the time, darkness awakens me, closing from behind.

Sounds, whispered in the air, speak beauty in the hopelessness, I wonder but where.

So much of everything to do and to say, so much thought gone awry, proving the soul of my conscience to be uncommonly bare.

There, in that space, in that time, in that place, hands cry out, empty, no feeling to spare.

Restless, motionless, continually moving, with no wonder at all of the cost or how much the fare.

What a difference a year makes, what a difference the time it takes. Both everything and nothing seem the same.

Confusing choices ambiguous faces, too much time to pretend to be gracious.  Entire world exists in a single window pane.

Wanting nothing you already have, needing more than you ever will.  The future calls with broken sounds and broken voices.

Such a difference a journey makes, any difference a turn can take.  Always the same, infinite and random the choices.

Miles away from everywhere, finding your place not anywhere. Who will die first your future or your past

Such a life a death can take, but what a difference a life can make. Always the same, forever and at last.

Yesterday was Saturday. Friday was two days ago. You’ve been at this place in time more than a thousand times. And yet, each time one fades away you still cannot believe how fast time goes by. No matter how much gets accomplished in a weekend there is always more that needed to be done.

Despite your best efforts, the inevitable end of the weekend comes around to remind you of just how precise it keeps time. It never changes. It is never too late, always either early or right on time. Ready to cast it’s shadow whether you are ready or not…

So, here I am. Covered by the latest weekend’s shadow. Wondering how I put so little into sooo much time, or so much into sooo little time. Either way….

Once again covered by the weekend’s shadow. Counting the hours and wishing that time goes by.

The human brain is considered the most advanced living organ on earth. Consider all of the accomplishments of mankind over just the last sixty years. And remember that for advanced as computing and artificial intelligence have become, they are creations of the human mind.

Which leads me to ask these questions: How can the most  advanced human organ be so vulnerable?  How can we as a people be so susceptible to external influence?

For as intelligent a species we are history provides numerous examples of times when the human brain inexplicably falls under an undeserving influence.

As Americans we sometimes don’t know or recall our history. I submit this name: Father Devine. 

If you are so inclined please read the unlikely and remarkable story of Father Devine. It is a fascinating insight into how the human mind can be manipulated against its own better judgement. 

Democracy. Remember that word.

I have often (sarcastically) referred to the United States as “The Great Pyramid Scheme”, acknowledging the fact that big business and the one percenters “vote” with their dollars. Hence, those “votes” heavily influence the rest of the pyramid.

Nonetheless, I still believe in the fundamental principles of democracy that our nation is built upon. Many references have been made recently implying that our democracy has been compromised due to the current political climate. Maybe….but I see it differently. 

A democracy is only as effective as the citizens who participate in it. Maximum participation renders a more representative outcome.  Conversely, voter apathy and political illiteracy hinder the system. But you wanna know what really weakens democracy?  Weak leaders. 

Yep. Apprentice Presidents who divide the citizens with petty bipartisan finger pointing and name calling. A wanna be dictator who selects who gets to participate in free speech and who does not. A shape-shifting poser who lies in an attempt to hide what some may see as plainly obvious: he has taken more from this country than he has ever given.

Remember, We The People make our democracy strong. Let’s show the weak leaders how to do it.

Funny thing about history. It cannot be changed. It is etched in time.  No “alternative facts” or “selective lies” need apply.

So. For those of us who desire an America without any immigrants here is a picture of what it may look like:

For any immigrants of European descent if you want to see what America may look like without immigrants of other ethnicities here is what you do: trace your lineage back to your native country and see what it looks like today. See how it compares to present day America. See how your native country compares to American wealth, military strength, technology, education, opportunity, culture, art and freedom.

You see. History will show you that America Is Great because of the contributions of ALL of its immigrants. In other words, America Is Great because of its, dare I say, D-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y.  Say it with me: DIVERSITY.

I know, I know. Historical truths seem to be an issue with some of Americas European immigrants.

Well. Imagine how the rest of us feel… 

Really wanna see America be great?  Very easy.  Everyone GIVE the personal courtesy and professional respect that we expect to RECEIVE. We the people have the power to change the morale of OUR nation. Real news!

Well. Been a minute since my last post. So many thoughts happening all at the same time. So many creative ideas that I don’t know where to start.

So I’ll start here: get a good night’s sleep. When you wake up go to your nearest mirror and ask yourself these questions.

1. Who is keeping you from being who you want to be?
2. Who is keeping you from having what you want to have?
3. Who is keeping you from going where you want to go?   

While looking in the mirror take a minute to think about it before you blame someone who doesn’t look, pray or love like you.