For the Love of Music

30 some years ago I lived in San Diego County (El Cajon, California).  In 2017, the wife & I took a two week trip out West without any reservations or schedule.  While we were out and about, we decided to hit up San Diego.  They have the best Mexican food in the country.  So we made it our mission to watch the sunset on the West coast, eat tacos for breakfast and grab a 91X t-shirt.  91X is an independent radio station that specializes in Alternative music.  

We watched the sunset, and hit up a taco shop as soon as we arrived in San Diego.  Then it went all downhill from there.  We were unable to find any 91X apparel; apparently they discontinued selling such stuff, and I had to settle for an El Cajon Harley shirt.

I love San Diego and to this day I listen to 91X on my computer.  Well finally, 91X began selling clothing again.   On Christmas day I ordered a 91X shirt and it arrived on New Year’s Eve.  But I was bummed because I had just done my laundry and I refuse to wear anything that hasn’t been washed first.  

The next morning, as soon as I awoke, I threw that shirt in the washer, but then I realized that the Buckeyes were playing in the Rose Bowl, and there was no way I was going to wear any other shirt that day other than an Ohio State t.  So finally, tomorrow arrives and I put my new 91X shirt on, and I swear to God I feel like Batman. 

Maybe it’s a sign of things to come in the New Year.  Happy New Year to all – here’s to making dreams reality!

Change

I have been through some serious changes the past two years, so when confronted with the New Year, I find it hard to get excited about more changes.  This past year alone, I have been accosted with changes in my health for the good and the bad.  Friends come and go, and some even changing faces. 

I quit smoking many times, but this year I believe I’ll stick with it, because I have finally been convinced that smoking cigarettes are bad for your health.  No doubt about it in my mind.  I have been forced to come to the realization that I am no longer Superman.  I finally understand that growing old sucks, because I have had to face my own mortality.  A major lifestyle change for sure.

After dealing with 3 surgeries in the past two years, I’ve had to make massive changes in my diet; this year those adjustments continued in some concerning ways.  I can no longer eat cheese like I use to, I had to learn to drink warm tea in the morning and evening, instead of ice water and wine.  I avoid red meat like the plague, but I love hamburgers (excuse me while I droll at the thought). I hardly even drink alcohol anymore, especially beer (my preferred alcoholic beverage).  And I no longer allow myself the luxury of fast food anymore, which provides limited choices; I really don’t know how vegetarians do it.

As a result of the surgeries I find myself a changed person, but those around me do not understand, and most do not care to.  My favorite friend, the one person who would understand, left for the far North. 

But that’s ok, because I learned that I’m never by myself regardless (another one of those lessons learned from a hospital bed). It may get a little lonely at times, but I would not change the changes if confronted with second chances.  There is wisdom in pain, and magic in wisdom.  I like this place I find myself. 

Of course change is constant.  Tomorrow is today and yesterday was tomorrow.   So instead of listing changes I want to make in the New Year, I think I’ll just look forward to a new future with eyes wide and enjoy the ride.  There’s gold in them there changes!

 

 

Second Chances

With the New Year rolling in, I thought writing about second chances would be appropriate.  So I typed, “Second chance” into a search engine, and I was over come by the amount of information that was available.  So if you’re looking for a second chance, you are not alone, buy no means. 

And why would you be?  After all, being human and second chances go hand in hand; there is no such thing as the perfect person. Our perfection is in being imperfect.  Without imperfection we would be rather boring, wouldn’t you think?  Kind of like a well-oiled machine where everything is mechanical.  The tone of ones voice, would sound alike, we would probably look alike, live in the same perfect home with no color, because color induces emotions, and it is emotions that set us apart. 

And we are emotional beings.  That is why color and tone play such a huge role in our healing.  It is also why there is such a great need for forgiveness.   Second chances are often a result of being forgiven.   The story of Jesus teaches us that even in death, after brutally beaten and hanging from a cross for hours that to live as the Creator intended, we must forgive; including such extreme acts against us such as the crucifixion of Jesus.  Forgiveness no matter what! 

Forgiveness is allowing your heart to let go of the hurt and pain that you or another persons actions may have caused.  

And yes, it is important to forgive yourself as well.  Forgiving is an essential component of any healing process, and its effects can be felt worldwide by others.  When you heal yourself, you heal the world.  I strongly prescribe to this belief that forgiveness is a gift shared by all.

Ho’ oponopono, a Hawaiian practice of forgiveness, has traditionally been used to heal the ill.  Ho’ oponopono means to make right.  I learned of the ritual from an article about a therapist who was using it to heal his patients in a mental institute, without ever seeing them.  Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, psychologist, would study the inmates chart and then look within himself to see how he created that person’s illness.  As he healed himself, the patient improved as well.

“I was simply healing the part of me that created them,” he said.

In other words, the total world is of your creation.  Ho’ oponopono is taking total responsibility for your life; if it’s in your life, then it is your responsibility.  You simply need to create a mental picture of the person you need to forgive in your minds eye, and then from your heart you say these four things, “I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.”

So now you know - this is your second chance.