One way I renew myself

This post is part of Jewels of Elul, which celebrates the Jewish tradition to dedicate the 29 days of the month of Elul to growth and discovery in preparation for the coming high holy days. This year the program is benefiting Beit T’shuvah, a residential addiction treatment center in Los Angeles.

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Over the past couple of weeks I started playing bass in a band with a few friends. All of us are at an age where we’ve traded our rock star dreams for being superheroes in real life – with our families, our friends, and our children.

I went to Berklee College of Music so that I could become a better songwriter. After Berklee, I played bass in a rock trio that gigged as far as Trinity College in CT. After, I started my own bands and published a few CDs. There was John Haydon and Ten Worlds, and the Hayseed Prophets, and then just John Haydon. I played music for my mom when she was near the end of her life. I wrote a song for the movie “10 Yards”, and I even wrote a song to celebrate the day he went poopie in the toilet.

All along the way, well-intentioned friends would say “You’re music is great! Someday, you’ll hit it big…”.

It’s only now that I realize that I was hitting it big all along. The home I created for myself with music – the self-discovery and clarity – has served (and saved) me all along.

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You don’t have to be on the blog tour to write a blog post on “The Art of Beginning… Again”. We invite everyone to post this month (August 11th – September 8th) with Jewels of Elul to grow and learn.

http://frankdickinson.me/ Frank Dickinson

and you know, personal renewal can spill over into other people as well. I am renewed by your love and knowledge of music. Your suggestions have spurred a new excitement about music and it's place in my life and business.

Very cool stuff my friend!

http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

Thanks, Frank! Loving The National, huh.

http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

It's not about the audience; it's about the view. Big difference, and one painted so well here, mate.

And your blog looks really sharp on Headway 1.7

http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

Thanks. I love the new search box in the nab bar.

Heidimassey

This morning I did one of my monthly workshops at Jobs for Youth. I ask the clients to talk about what they are passionate about. One of the participants told me she wants to write stories but is afraid no one will like them so she doesn't write. I told her that she should think about writing for herself and not for anyone else-there is no need to ever share them. She was so relieved because she had never thought of it that way before. Sounds a bit like your music…you do it for yourself ultimately. Anything else beyond that is extra.

Thanks John…