What Do You Do?

Sam and I were just talking, what would we do if we didn't play music? What would we say we did? What do you say you do? Back in high school it was sports. That was what took up the majority of our time. But once college, and real life started, what was it that we did? Nothing, was the answer. I remember my freshman year, spending hours in bed, staring at the ceiling thinking, what do I do? Whats my thing? I find school, given the appropriate topic, interesting. But can you really hang your hat on that? When someone asks you what you do in your free time, can you honestly say, study? You and I both know you don't spend an average saturday afternoon studying. It's not a realistic hobby to have honestly. I'm a big believer in the saying "To much free time breeds trouble." I think a worth while trade is incredibly beneficiary to someone. It just so happens that playing music, a childhood dream of mine, clicked with me. And I've been blessed with the fact that it also clicked with my best friends. It creates and unmatched feeling of self worth. Richard and I mulled over the idea, the other night, that theres something that everyone is the best at. Whether it's underwater basket weaving, or playing the piano, you are great at something. The trick is finding that something, and sticking with it. I think that finding a hobby and becoming immersed in it let's someone broaden their horizon and becoming a much more productive member of society, even if your hobby isn't necessarily beneficiary to society, it creates a mindset of productivity that easily translates into things that are productive and do benefit you and others. For instance, I've almost completely abandoned watching cable television. Although that seems trivial, I spend my free time studying music theory, styles of play and other things music related. Whether its actually sitting with my banjo or guitar, or just plugging in to a new album on my computer, the time is spent learning and developing new skills or ways of thinking, not wasting away time watching stupid, inane television shows. Hobbies make you want to get out and do stuff and develop good habits. It's just a cause and effect situation. It's not a coincidence that after having picked up the hobby of playing music that I find myself waking up early on weekends, or studying harder, or exercising more. I think that the effort of trying to better myself in one department (music) translates into me wanting to better myself in other departments. Studying, health, etc. So I urge you. Find something you love, and stick with it. Find others that love it. Develop a sense of community. Do something that makes you feel productive, and you will actually become, productive. The thought of being able to teach my kids something that I've spent a lot of time learning is awesome. Be able to pass something down. Create a tradition. This will unlock doors and opportunities that you never thought possible before.

Best of luck,

Nathan