Now and then something will happen that can provide a ray of hope. Often that little thing needs to come from within the person wanting that change. Other times it comes from within a member of a team. Until such changes occur it can feel like we’re walking along a very small path. I know that I made several resolutions for new years that I’m still following thru on. One was I wanted to have a game night once a month at my house for friends that I want to enjoy more time with. So far it’s been a raving success. The running joke at the last one was the game night thing would become so popular amongst my friends that I would need to get a guest list and a bouncer to control the crowd. Too funny.
Another that I’ve found to be a good thing is doing a little exploration of the world around. Sometimes it’s been picking a random spot on a map, plugging it in the GPS, and going there. Yesterday I took a little trip to Pyramid Lake which is north of Los Angeles. I figured I’d be going to a little lake to sit on the shore for a little bit, taking a few pictures and then coming back. Instead there was a visitor’s center there that was developed to explain the concept of how water is used in the state of california. Lots of interesting facts abound in it’s halls. One in particular that I found interesting is about using Ozone to treat water. Seems it’s becoming a popular replacement to chlorine because it’s safer and more effective at cleansing water. Leave it to nature to create a much better solution. Along with that fact is one that showed the Netherlands to be the forward thinkers on Ozone and water. They were the first country to use Ozone on a grand scale to clean their water.
To add to my list of little steps was to get out more to socialize with people on a more personal level. Doing so has led to several cool new friendships. Those new friendships are already beginning to show signs of being mutually beneficial. Something more of us can use in an era where the news is constantly spewing doom and gloom.
Then there is last night, I got a phone call from someone who is supposed to be a part of my team in the past couple of years. I’ll put it out there that the phone call was interesting. The third party that was brought on the line could be a good thing. While nothing is more than conversation at the moment, it was actually a breath of fresh air. When things become more concrete and the path opens up, I’m sure I will let the cat out of the bag.
All these examples show how we make progress using little steps. In no other world are little steps more important than when walking on a tightrope. Which is what brings me to choosing to start this week off with the best song I’ve ever heard on the subject of walking a wire, Tightrope by Stevie Ray Vaughan. The meaning is even signaled in the title of the album, In Step.
There’s no doubt that Stevie Ray Vaughan was an amazing performer. I actually was lucky enough to see a performance of his in my home town of Park City while I was growing up. I was literally about 10 feet from him for the whole show. Strong performer is an understatement. What a presence. It’s like the music was him. He was a medium for what was going on, not a replication. While I’ve been told numerous times that watching me perform is like night an day different from most other musicians, I don’t see myself – so I don’t get it. I do what I do. However, when I’m watching other artists perform, I’m like anyone else. I’ll get mesmerized by performers who’s music consume them.
You can hear it ooze out of the recordings Stevie has made. You can see the scars of being on stage when you watch videos. He was his music. It doesn’t get any more great than that.
If you don’t own anything by Stevie, I’m sure it’s only an oversight. Don’t continue that oversight any longer. Go now and get his music into your library legally, now. It’s one of those little steps that will get you off the tightrope.