When it comes to life lessons, it’s not always easy to know where to start—and it’s sometimes easier to find the lesson, the meaning, when things are more stressful. When life is just going along and you’re truly lost in the practice of applying the principles of non-judgment and “taking it as it comes,” what you realize is that life can be just a string of fully in-the-moment moments … they gather together like the beads on a really neat chain.
I have to admit, these little reprieves are lovely. And I’m truly grateful that I’m evolved enough these days to recognize them when I see them! Oh, I’m not saying it’s going to last, of course, because I think we know already that life just isn’t like that. But I have to say, I am enjoying the calm. It’s good … and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Maybe the best thing to compare these past couple of weeks to, from a creative standpoint, is everyone’s favorite Long-Island-boy-who-made-good—Billy Joel. I’m guessing you’re a Billy Joel f an because, really, who isn’t? His first several albums (The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses) were incredible. The man is a poet. No one can put words and music together and make them fizz quite like he can. But remember what happened when he was married to Christy Brinkley? Life was a little too good for The Pianoman, if you ask me, and he put out that horrible Songs In The Attic doo-wop homage album with, in my opinion, insufferable songs like “Uptown Girl,” “Tell Her About It,” and “For The Longest Time?” Ugh! I guess that’s just the quality of song-writing you get from a slightly-bug-eyed, not-terribly-good-looking schmoe from Long Island who marries a world-famous swimsuit model.
The Christy Years were probably, on a personal level, quite good for Billy, but unfortunately, really, really bad for his fans. Where was the passion of “She’s Got A Way,” the sassy, the no-BS reprimand of “Big Shot,” and the b*lls-out ‘tide of “My Life?” Anyway, I guess I’m having a BillyLovesChristy week … things are good and I’m thinking that perhaps creativity does sometimes suffer in the face of happiness. Regardless, I’ll still take happiness!
So, back to the thread ... that little bit of sticking-up-stuff that I look for in every day in order to share it with you. Make no mistake, I’m hardly comparing my creative abilities to those of “Mr. William Joel.” But what I’m saying is, whatever its toll on creativity may be, I, like Billy, am enjoying the now. This second … this minute … this day. When it comes down to it, what do we really have to complain about? In the grand scheme, not much. At the moment, I’m married to the karmic equivalent of a super-model.
