There is so much to consume in every facet of our lives. Now, we have the constant din of internet-connected war coverage coming at us from so many angles and perspectives. It hit me like a freight train this morning on my dawn jog; simplification is the goal—simplification for simplification's sake. Our lives are screaming for it. Disconnect from the cacophony that invades every minute of our days. It will consume us if we let it.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't care or contribute to a solution, but to have any hope of contributing to a solution worth our time, we must narrow our focus. And the first step is to focus on ourselves, to reclaim our souls and our spirituality.
There is a political civil war and a technical civil war that vies for our allegiance. The complicated nature of seemingly infinite amounts of information and opinion obscures what matters most; feeding your spirit and simplifying life.
Inspiration sometimes comes from unusual sources. Instead of complicating my short lunch the other day with the latest news online, I instead watched a video from one of the wisest teachers I've found. It doesn't matter that he is a guitar teacher. His message is universal.
Here is a video interview of the great Tomo Fujita, master guitarist, and teacher at the Berkeley School of Music in Boston.
I took two lessons from watching this video. "A teacher is just a great student who learns anything." A teacher is not better or worse as an individual. A teacher emulates and influences by role modeling the way. What a beautifully simple concept! Second, after the Brainstorm, the hard work is when we narrow it down. Yes! How many times have we done the spitballing and not thought it through? That takes actual brainpower. It is hard because we have to discard our precious ideas. Narrowing our focus is the first step toward salvation from the everyday noise in our modern lives.
Once in a while, you get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if you look at it right—simple wisdom about simplification from a guitar teacher.
Over the weekend, I happened upon a Pileated Woodpecker in the New Hampshire woods. A normally skittish creature, he paid us no mind. He was right on our path, but we gave him a wide berth. Still, we observed him as he worked the pine for its protein treasures. The singular focus he derives from his Limbic brain is enviable. Focus on one spot. Craft something beautiful as you build something practical. After the Brainstorm, find mental clarity with your spirit.
More to come.
P.S. For those music fans out there, check out this fantastic duet of Sultans of Swing by Tomo Fujita's interviewer and former student, Mary Spender with Josh Turner. It's magic. Watch with headphones, and listen for all the subtle magic they create.
P.P.S.
As I begin my fourth year of publishing weekly content, I want to thank all of you who have given my writing a look and a read. Your comments and feedback are invaluable.
