Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Warm greeting, my Blog Family.

Recently, I've been going through a lot lately dealing with aspects of my life's potential. I always thought that once I graduated high school, that I would immediately go to college, then off to Medical School, and work my ass of in internships pursuing my life's dream of becoming a doctor. I'd imagined that I'd be one amongst many, an elite bunch of doctors, and possibly even the one to cure cancer, AIDS, or Diabetes. That was probably my problem...my imagination runs a mile a minute and I attempt at pursuing every thought and idea that comes to mind. When I was young I'd made up in my mind, that I was going to be a doctor....and nothing else. So, throughout my childhood, grade school, secondary schooling...I was a future doctor. I never gave myself room to consider anything else.

Finally, I got to college...and "Ah, hell," reality set in. Bio, Chem, and all the coursework that was prerequisite for the Bio/Pre-Med major, just honestly did not suit my fancy. I was constantly struggling, making myself believe that eventually I'd "get it." That never happened. So, after that I changed my major like five other time over the course of 3 years in pursuit of making a satisfying career. Here I am almost four year later, have moved back home, 2 time college dropout, and still lacking passion in life. This is where my sadness stems and where my soul is void.

So, I went back to a lesson that my grandmother and my aunt taught me years and years ago....when in doubt and when your soul is lost....pray. And so I dropped to my knees and I began to pray. This is a time when I felt like I needed God most, and when I have those moments, I crumble and I break and I weep, inconsolably. For I know there is no one else to call upon, and no one else who can cure my pain and soothe my frustrations. Sometimes, like this time....I cant speak and I'm so emotional, but I know that He knows...and I know He understands, and I know that he listens to me cry, and I worry not about my words...for my surrender alone is good enough. "My grace is sufficient." (smiles @ HisLoveCoversMe)

But the hardest part of this all has been that I've found something...something I've always been passionate about, but never considered it a "passion." And that's music. I love so many genres of music, and when I listen....I listen for quality, I listen for essence, I listen for the music....not the lyrics, but the music....the drums, the strings, and the piano. I hear things like that, and I hear small subtleties that most don't have the ear for. And when you think about it, honestly, it sets the foundation for the emotion in lyrics and the emotion from which the singer sings. And so I thought, why not pursue music? Like most people, I have many reservations about music. Most people don't consider it an actual career, more of a hobby. And think only those select few who stick out can "make it." There is much truth to that, and I think to myself 'what makes me so much better than the next?' I can't read music, I can't play an instrument, and although I can hold a tune, I'm not the best singer. Yet I love, thrive, and breathe music. I never before realize how much...but I am truly passionate for those harmonies and lyrics and melodies. And just like everything else in my life, I think "Why not?"

Its kind of funny because the things that I embrace, the things that I forget to acknowledge, the things I set on the back aisle...are the things I never realized I love the most. Music, art, artistic & theatrical dance....the things that are suppose to be just pleasures, leisures, or hobbies, are the same things that make me happy, that makes me smile.

But I can't avoid associating pleasures with failures; I fear if I get in too deep of reveling in my own glee, I'll loose my purpose and fail. Or just maybe this is my purpose. It's so hard to figure out, because with trying to manifest my passion, comes a lot of work. And from my history, the pattern has been if there's too much involved, I'm not happy. And when I'm not happy...I quit!

So, this is kind of what I'm battling with....a battle of the conscious & logic versus the emotions & pleasures. But I know me a little more than I give myself credit for, and I can almost guarantee that I'll choose my feelings over my thoughts, my emotions over my conscious, and my heart over my head.

I have a long road ahead, but I truly feel like I can do it. I'm going to work towards music engineering/production and composition. So, 2008 here I come. My only prayer is that God rides this journey with me, and guides my hands & fingers along the keys of my new keyboard, as I pursue this dream of mine, and this passion that burns like fire.

"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." -- Lamentations 3:24

6 comments:

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

Nice to see you back yo. I have two words of encouragement for you. 1) We fail now only to succeed in the future. In other words, if you are diligent and work painstakently towards your goals, you will achieve. 2) You never have to 'hope' that God will travel with you along this journey we call life. In fact as the poem 'Footprints' suggest, it is during your darkest hour when you see only one set of footprints in the sand it was then that God is carrying you!

I task you to spend every waking moment of your life striving to achieve whatever it is you set your mind to. "Can't" should never be a part of your vocabulary nor should 'try'. As my college Diving coach used to say, "To 'try' is to FAIL! Therefore you don't 'try' to do anything...you DO!"

Be blessed always!

~Damnit!

Anonymous said...

Omgosh like real deal this is exactly what iim going through. But my passion is theatre. And I'm at home wasting my life away praying to God to help me get the courage to go after my dream. Asking what makes me so different then the millions of people wanting what I want? I'm sorry ur going through it but its good to know I'm not alone. I hope all ur dreams come true man

Anonymous said...

@ Blaq: If you were a real cigar, i would smoke you! You are just that good and refreshing to me. I wish i had more of you, or least more people in my life to inspire me and reassure me in my times of doubt and discouragement. It really means the world to me to know you. Your fam and friends should feel so lucky. @ Anonymous: Its relieving to know that I struggle not alone. Its hard, right, trying to truly live for yourself, and in the mist of it all second guess your potential. Youll make it, though, and ill make it...and hopefully one day we'll be able and fortunate enough to inspire others much like us that its ok to follow your heart and dream...and despite how imaginary they may seem, its possible. The Reverend @ my church said this past Sunday "that maybe if yall havent struggled and gone through anything, then you arent following your passion." And i believe thats so true...it take hard work and obstacle to be able to say "I made it." Keep ya head up, brotha. May God bless you abundantly.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

You can smoke me as long as you don't cough...lol. Naw but thanks pa. All that I say I believe ma dude.

~Damnit!

perfectingmeB said...

I really enjoyed that post. You spoke volumes about your faith and I appreciate that. God will guide you just learn to listen and trust. Thanks you for commenting on my blog. I am glad that people are taking a liking to what I have written. Keep pressing forward because the music industry (and life in general) is not easy but the persistent people survive.

the~enigma said...

So, I will try to get str8 to it. Life is all about learning from mistakes and trial and error. No one is perfect and its okay not to accept failure. However, to let yourself worry about failing at something or to let fear of failure hinder you from doing something is like letting the devil hold you back.

I'm saying if you feel music is your thing and you want to do it...like blaq said...just do it. You gotta do what makes you happy and you also have to find what you enjoy. You have to make it happen and find what pleasures you, makes you happy, and fills you with joy.

No need to be afraid to fail. Build up your confidence and put your best forward and see what happens. Even if you are not successful, in which I hope you are though, scratch it off the list and try something else you enjoy. However, if music/art is truly what you enjoy then try again and don't give up or let it beat you.