Book of the Month
The Gift by Lewis Hyde is a beast of a book but really helped me get in touch with the "why" behind my dreams, goals and life trajectory. The book gave me a better understanding of myself and why so many years ago I picked this path I'm on (aka Music Professional). It almost reads like a doctoral dissertation, but if you can stay with it - give it time and push through the dryness of it - this might be the most important book you read all year.
This book articulates how business and creativity can better co-exist and mutually benefit the other when we become more aware of and understand our root intentions (our “why”). Particularly important to point out is the lie found in the phrase “it’s not personal, it’s just business” - as everything we do is personal.
Insecurity, fear and grief et.al make it difficult to show up in this world with a whole heart.
Our lives can be a gift to others if we allow them to be. Simultaneously encouraging those in our midst by being there and consciously present, we have the capacity to collectively rise together.
The "thing" we are that makes "us" uniquely "us" is important to acknowledge in ourselves and in others.
Our ability to create (ponder, imagine, organize, exist, etc.) is a singular gift in and of itself - yet there is an alchemy that happens when we create with others. The whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Playing in a band, writing songs with a partner(s), producing music, teaching lessons and leading team building exercises have all shown me that we do our best work when we find like minded souls who share our passion for meaningful work. At our best, working together is a mutual continuous giving and receiving.
How we do one “thing” is how we do “everything.” Our economy is one of hospitality.
The hospitality we show ourselves (evidenced in our self-talk and self-care) is important, as it extends to the people with whom we work and collaborate (regardless of our awareness). If we are not kind and generous to ourselves, we will find it even more difficult to be so towards others, and our collective work will suffer. Being grateful for the gifts that we’ve been given, continuing our development as individuals (Talk Therapy, Continuing Ed, etc) and learning new skills through structured play and dedicated instruction (art classes, Rec League team sports, music lessons, etc) we can grow our propensity for hospitality. Cultivating a sense of wonder, curiosity and a clearer sense of purpose brings us closer to infusing our work with meaning and power. Though not guaranteed - in giving - we may receive a residual benefit, experiencing more joy in life and in work regardless of our occupation.