The road is long and the journey is unpredictable. As I continue to discover more about the world I live in and more about myself, I see that there is much to learn, and at the same time, much to let go of. It amazes me that a big part of my life is 'unlearning' beliefs and values that were instilled in me from an early age. The way we are conditioned over the years is subtle but so powerful to our perceptions of ourselves and our world. I am even angered that single experiences can hold such strong chains around our necks, to the point of paralysis. So in this way, knowing, seeing and understanding one's narrative is so important to the steps that will follow in the future.
I guess at times, I have feared looking back. I think this was because to look back meant to re-live or re-experience the past, hence going through the pain that had been tucked away so neatly. I have started to see though, that the past cannot harm me anymore, but it can teach me (if I allow myself to be taught).
Till I find my poncho...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Touching base.
It has been a little while since I've made an appearance here on my blog, so I felt it was time to share something.
The last few weeks have been quite busy with lots happening in my world. The last nine days has been the Big West Festival, which has been a lot of fun to be involved in with our (the other Anthony and mine) project called JIVE TALK. We had a wonderful guest speaker name Nick Ray who shared with us information and practical guides to "shopping with a conscience". He covered issues from food miles (which is how far your food travels from where it's produced to your plate), to packaging and waste. We had a great room of people who engaged with the information and with Nick. Anthony and I and all who were involved felt it was a great success.
I've also had a chance to spend quite a bit of time at the Dancing Dog cafe. The friendships that have started to blossom there are the glue of the place. There are so many people who are frequenters of the Dog, and who now almost have a permanence about them. All sorts of interesting characters, who mainly live in the local area, come in either on a daily or weekly basis. Seems to me that there is a great flow of endless conversation, banter and laughter. But on the flip side, there has also been the space for people to vent. I have been both the giver and reciever of anger, frustration and confusion. All of this makes for such a unique atmosphere and very much gives the Dog a sense of home.
Peal Jam.
Just over a week ago, I went and saw Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and Liam Finn perform at the Etihad stadium. The night was very impressive. From the size of the arena, to the amount of people and to the quality of music.
Starting with Liam Finn: He came out and blew us away. I have been to many shows where the opener is less than average and most of the audience at some point is BOOING them off stage. Not with Mr Finn. His work was extremely interesting and had the crowd captive. He played the guitar, drums and sang. He would loop a section of his guitar work, then let it play and jump on the drums and play along. Then he would repeat this process on the drums and get back on the guiar and vocals. Was fabulous.
Next was Ben Harper: Not much to say for Ben. Impressive live voice. Had always wanted to see him in concert. Can't say much for his stage presence as he didn't really interract with the crowd much at all, which is always a shame. Musically, him and his band were great, can't fault the music, just felt a bit let down by his manners.
However, at one poin in Ben's set, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam's singer) came out and they sang Under Pressure, the David Bowie/Freddie Mercury song. The whole vibe of the stadium changed when Eddie came out. This was a real treat.
And finally, Pearl Jam: This is the third time I have seen these guys and it has been interesting to see them develop. I saw them back in 1995, which was their first Australian tour. But this show was special for me too. Eddie came out and spoke with the crowd before they started. He told us there was free water being passed around and that we should look after each other. There was 50,000 people present and the risk of injury (especially in the mosh pit) is high. His attitude from the start was great. The energy in the room was of fun and excitement and I know the folk around me were certainly having a blast. They played many of there earlier songs, which I loved. I have not really gotten into their later albums, but nonetheless enjoyed the whole 2 1/2 hour show.
The crowd in general were well behaved and everyone was boogying to the grooves of Pearl Jam. A great show to have been privelaged enough to be at.
Well, that's it for now. There is more happening and more I'd like to share about, but I'll save some for a day or two later.
Till I find my poncho....
The last few weeks have been quite busy with lots happening in my world. The last nine days has been the Big West Festival, which has been a lot of fun to be involved in with our (the other Anthony and mine) project called JIVE TALK. We had a wonderful guest speaker name Nick Ray who shared with us information and practical guides to "shopping with a conscience". He covered issues from food miles (which is how far your food travels from where it's produced to your plate), to packaging and waste. We had a great room of people who engaged with the information and with Nick. Anthony and I and all who were involved felt it was a great success.
I've also had a chance to spend quite a bit of time at the Dancing Dog cafe. The friendships that have started to blossom there are the glue of the place. There are so many people who are frequenters of the Dog, and who now almost have a permanence about them. All sorts of interesting characters, who mainly live in the local area, come in either on a daily or weekly basis. Seems to me that there is a great flow of endless conversation, banter and laughter. But on the flip side, there has also been the space for people to vent. I have been both the giver and reciever of anger, frustration and confusion. All of this makes for such a unique atmosphere and very much gives the Dog a sense of home.
Peal Jam.
Just over a week ago, I went and saw Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and Liam Finn perform at the Etihad stadium. The night was very impressive. From the size of the arena, to the amount of people and to the quality of music.
Starting with Liam Finn: He came out and blew us away. I have been to many shows where the opener is less than average and most of the audience at some point is BOOING them off stage. Not with Mr Finn. His work was extremely interesting and had the crowd captive. He played the guitar, drums and sang. He would loop a section of his guitar work, then let it play and jump on the drums and play along. Then he would repeat this process on the drums and get back on the guiar and vocals. Was fabulous.
Next was Ben Harper: Not much to say for Ben. Impressive live voice. Had always wanted to see him in concert. Can't say much for his stage presence as he didn't really interract with the crowd much at all, which is always a shame. Musically, him and his band were great, can't fault the music, just felt a bit let down by his manners.
However, at one poin in Ben's set, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam's singer) came out and they sang Under Pressure, the David Bowie/Freddie Mercury song. The whole vibe of the stadium changed when Eddie came out. This was a real treat.
And finally, Pearl Jam: This is the third time I have seen these guys and it has been interesting to see them develop. I saw them back in 1995, which was their first Australian tour. But this show was special for me too. Eddie came out and spoke with the crowd before they started. He told us there was free water being passed around and that we should look after each other. There was 50,000 people present and the risk of injury (especially in the mosh pit) is high. His attitude from the start was great. The energy in the room was of fun and excitement and I know the folk around me were certainly having a blast. They played many of there earlier songs, which I loved. I have not really gotten into their later albums, but nonetheless enjoyed the whole 2 1/2 hour show.
The crowd in general were well behaved and everyone was boogying to the grooves of Pearl Jam. A great show to have been privelaged enough to be at.
Well, that's it for now. There is more happening and more I'd like to share about, but I'll save some for a day or two later.
Till I find my poncho....
Sunday, November 15, 2009
the big wave
This is going to be a real short post. Have just been watching a documentary on ABC with Eddie Vedder, singer from Pearl Jam, and a guy name Laird Hamilton, pro surfer. Showed them exploring the ocean, waves, music and spirituality. Great stories.
The bit that struck me was what Laird said about passion and love. He said.
"When you love something, you think about it all the time, you pursue it, you do whatever it takes to get better at it."
This struck me, not sure why, but I liked it and wanted to share it.
Till I find my poncho...
The bit that struck me was what Laird said about passion and love. He said.
"When you love something, you think about it all the time, you pursue it, you do whatever it takes to get better at it."
This struck me, not sure why, but I liked it and wanted to share it.
Till I find my poncho...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Complications of the soul.
It's been virtually two weeks since I last posted on here and in that time it seems that so much has changed. It's funny though, even writing that statement, I know that not very much in the grand scheme of things has changed, but certainly my appraisal or critique of things have altered. I am always amazed that it can take one little seemingly insignificant piece of information to change everything in your own thinking. The piece of information, experience or scenario may well be extremely important and vital to the formation of the way one sees themself or the world.
I have been travelling down the road of significant and at times painful discovery over the last couple of months. It very much rings true about the road less travelled. I know in many ways the places I have needed to go (please excuse my vagueness) have in the past been places I have wanted to not return to at all. It seems obvious now that as I enter into some of the darkest regions of my past and knock on a door which I had at the time locked, that those doors were actually still wide open and creating a draft in my present existence. And as difficult as it has been, and to be clear, is still now, I can understand why it requires so much energy to actually face the things that we are most afraid of or the things that continue to shape our lives in negative ways.
Saying all this, I am also aware that time is definately a huge player in this theatre of life. To stop, to slow down, to digest, to contemplate, to regurgitate, to chew fully and then swallow. I know for me, all too often in the past I have watered down and skimmed over life without sometimes seeing the gravity of certain moments of time. I would like to be in a place where life isn't something that I just try to fit in to, but more along the lines of a dance that I am involved in.
I am not exactly sure where this post was meant to go, but I felt it important to vent a little of what has been rolling around in my head of late. The post title "complications of the soul" is a line out of a song I've been writing. It might all make sense when the song is complete. And maybe then I will post the lyrics to share with whom ever is reading this randomness.
Till I find my poncho....
I have been travelling down the road of significant and at times painful discovery over the last couple of months. It very much rings true about the road less travelled. I know in many ways the places I have needed to go (please excuse my vagueness) have in the past been places I have wanted to not return to at all. It seems obvious now that as I enter into some of the darkest regions of my past and knock on a door which I had at the time locked, that those doors were actually still wide open and creating a draft in my present existence. And as difficult as it has been, and to be clear, is still now, I can understand why it requires so much energy to actually face the things that we are most afraid of or the things that continue to shape our lives in negative ways.
Saying all this, I am also aware that time is definately a huge player in this theatre of life. To stop, to slow down, to digest, to contemplate, to regurgitate, to chew fully and then swallow. I know for me, all too often in the past I have watered down and skimmed over life without sometimes seeing the gravity of certain moments of time. I would like to be in a place where life isn't something that I just try to fit in to, but more along the lines of a dance that I am involved in.
I am not exactly sure where this post was meant to go, but I felt it important to vent a little of what has been rolling around in my head of late. The post title "complications of the soul" is a line out of a song I've been writing. It might all make sense when the song is complete. And maybe then I will post the lyrics to share with whom ever is reading this randomness.
Till I find my poncho....
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Time and space.
My thoughts of late have been swinging somewhat toward the existential. What does this all mean? Where am I going? Who am I? All of these sorts of things. And I guess one of the big questions for me is 'how do I fit in to the world?'
My thoughts get clouded with the notion of time, that often I am thinking, ten steps ahead and lose track of the present moment. My worries aren't about today, but about an un-lived tomorrow. I can see this all around me as well. I remember when studying counselling, that we learnt one of the most common issues people will come in for is the worry of the unknown or un-lived. The tendancy to live one's live in the future is a common hurdle for people. I know it has been for myself.
When the doctors told me years and years ago that I would be blind by the age of `30, I started to map out my whole life. Married by 24, kids by 27 etc. There are a few problems with this type of thinking. Number one, it places a huge amount of pressure on someone to live up to the pre-planned goals. And two, in my case, it is a fear response. Obviously there is nothing wrong with forward thinking. In fact it is needed as to not trip over. But there is a great danger (I believe) in maticulously mapping out one's future path when life so very often has it's own little surprises.. For me, I never went blind at 30, I am still unmarried and have no children. Up until then though, I had had the fear of blindness, the fear of singleness, the fear of no children, the fear of the 'what if'.
Time, there is so much of it and so little of it. So I guess making each day count for something is a good idea. Not to become rigidly bound by it, but to use it to achieve our dreams (thanks urbanmonk for the reminder).
Till I find my poncho...
My thoughts get clouded with the notion of time, that often I am thinking, ten steps ahead and lose track of the present moment. My worries aren't about today, but about an un-lived tomorrow. I can see this all around me as well. I remember when studying counselling, that we learnt one of the most common issues people will come in for is the worry of the unknown or un-lived. The tendancy to live one's live in the future is a common hurdle for people. I know it has been for myself.
When the doctors told me years and years ago that I would be blind by the age of `30, I started to map out my whole life. Married by 24, kids by 27 etc. There are a few problems with this type of thinking. Number one, it places a huge amount of pressure on someone to live up to the pre-planned goals. And two, in my case, it is a fear response. Obviously there is nothing wrong with forward thinking. In fact it is needed as to not trip over. But there is a great danger (I believe) in maticulously mapping out one's future path when life so very often has it's own little surprises.. For me, I never went blind at 30, I am still unmarried and have no children. Up until then though, I had had the fear of blindness, the fear of singleness, the fear of no children, the fear of the 'what if'.
Time, there is so much of it and so little of it. So I guess making each day count for something is a good idea. Not to become rigidly bound by it, but to use it to achieve our dreams (thanks urbanmonk for the reminder).
Till I find my poncho...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)