I'm Answering the Call To Adventure

My friend Danny ran with me!!

I was #948 in the Franklin Classic this past Monday morning. Nobody special—just another guy in the crowd. One of a thousand others who braved the early morning start time and the physical challenge of the race. We started as a giant clump of anticipation, and after the starting gun, spread out like a giant amoeba on a long, long road. Heads bounced up and down around me, and little kids raced by. I kept saying to myself, “Hold back, pace yourself, pace yourself.” More kids zoomed past by me. The run was actually quite fun—the energy high all around me. But the best part was at the end, as complete strangers cheered as I crossed the finish line…my first race. My practice race. See, I've never been a runner—actually more of an anti-runner. Running was the one thing that I put into the "impossible" category. I've tried running before, but was always met with way too much back and knee pain. Not to mention the "L" word—laziness.

But earlier this summer I felt something developing inside of me. It was a desire for an adventure—something really big, something crazy, maybe even a little dangerous. Then a friend told me about the Chicago Half Marathon he was running on September 12th and my heart jumped. That was it. My adventure: running a half marathon.

So I've been training all summer—running nearly 250 miles through all this crazy heat we've been experiencing. This has unquestionably been the most physically challenging experience of my life. But so much of the battle has been in my head. The "I can't" or the "I won't be able to" or "That's impossible" or "I need to stop…" There have been some really tough days—I've cried, I've winced. And some really great days—goosebump-inducing runs and even tears of joy shed. I've developed strength and confidence I never knew I had. I've lost weight! And I've uncovered some amazing camaraderie among other runners.

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It's Strange To Release A CD

I'm hesitant to even write about this. But it's such a strange thing to do to complete and release a CD. Especially when it's something I've been dreaming about doing for 17 years. After all those years of seriously wondering if I'm completely crazy...and even being told by some people that I am... there's a bit of a feeling of redemption in the completion of this project.  And I'm so happy that early reports from people who have heard some of it are very positive.

So what's the point? This is for all the people who are wondering if they are crazy, as well. You're not. But that doesn't necessarily mean that your dreams are going to come true, or in the way you hope they will. Or in your desired timeframe. But I can promise you this: If you don't give up, and continue working towards your goal, seeking wisdom from people who know more than you, you will find yourself going places and doing things that you never imagined.

There are a lot of people who want to make a CD who need to really work on finding their own unique voice. They need to take a lot of lessons, and learn how to write better songs. And they need to tell an engaging story, something that other people will want to hear. That's when you'll be met with an audience at an unexpected time. No audience is concerned about perfection, but they are looking for passion and authenticity.

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Power of Community To Help Reach Your Goals

Beyond my comprehension, I just ran 10 miles this morning. My final long run before the big race next weekend. But I couldn't have done it alone.

Again...Why Am I Running?

The challenge of this morning 9 mile run made me really stop and voice again (to myself) why I am doing this. This morning's big bummer: iPod froze up halfway through the run. Is it normal for an iPod to give out before its owner does?

How's the CD Coming Along?

I'm grateful there are people in my life that ask me this question. Actually, I've had people asking me this question for about 17 years. And of course, I've had different answers throughout the years—sometimes optimistic, sometimes horribly pessimistic. It's a question that has been wrought with all kinds of expectation—mostly self-imposed. As if my level of value as a human being was based on when my CD would finally get made.

I know that I've spent a lot of those 17 years (since moving to Nashville from Minneapolis) waiting for someone to give me permission to start living the life of my dreams - which would be symbolized by their investment in me as an artist. I gave a lot of power to small handful of people, gate keepers at record labels - some even friends - who I shouldn't have. And most all of those people have moved on to something else by now. So I'm left wondering, "Who am I supposed to give my power to now?" By power, I mean, the power to tell me I'm a valid artist/person.

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