What do you want of yourself?

[bolo]

This is a quote from Gary Peacock. It originally appeared in BP magazine in June of '93, but was reprinted in their recent 20th Anniversary Issue. I guess I think of myself as spiritual, religious, and introspective, but this gave me pause and gave me something to center on for a bit. Hope some of you enjoy.

"In this culture, the pressure is enormous to 'become' something. You have to be great. But what does that mean? To be famous? To make a lot of money? Usually that's at the expense of your own being. I've seen so many people spend their entire lives not living their own life, but living the life they think they should live, or living the life they think other people think they should live. They never ask themselves, 'What do I want? What does God want of me? What does existence want of me?' There's a part of me that trusts existence will visit me, God will visit me. But there are no guarantees, and there's nothing I can do to con Her into visiting me. In an hour and a half of music, maybe I'll get a visit for five or six minutes. But the way to slam the door in the face of that inspiration is to strut your stuff. Then the door is closed." - Gary Peacock

[Treyzer]

Thanks Steve,

Great quote and a great meditation on purpose, being life ect.
So much comes to mind to add and yet i don't want to get all I, I, I, me, me, me so I'll just say thanks

Aloha

Trey

[Don Higdon]

It's the difference between having a career and having a vocation. I've had both. My career was pretty much a love-hate situation. Late in life, I became an Alexander teacher. It is truly a vocation - that which makes more of you. It's no way to become wealthy, but the ability to bring people to wellness and independence brings profound and meaningful rewards money never can. That's my turn-on.
This is no way denigrates being the best bassist you can be. Guys like Ray Parker, Muroki, Fuqua, Fitzgerald, et al are also following a calling. I simply learned that mine was different, and I'm grateful to have figured it out.

[Eric Swanson]

Increasing mindfulness, the ability to be fully "in" the present. Less rumination and more engagement, every day. I don't want to miss life by thinking about the parts of it that aren't currently relevant.

To not miss the voice of God, an opportunity to be helpful, and/or the magic of life as I am busy thinking about something else. To be increasingly grateful for this amazing time here...

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

The ability to see every situation as a lesson in learning to live life, to be the person I am destined to be. To be the best husband and father I can be. To understand that there IS a purpose and I need to be open to understanding what it is.