Tag: joy

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N.32 Of leadership, dance and tables

One of these Sundays, a couple of friends and I went to help our common pal, Phantom, for his dance event. The Tribes War Battle 5.

We do the build up, tear down, video and photography.
I’m on photographer duty.

Dance offers a new challenge that I dig. The dynamic movements push me deep into the present moment in order to capture the illusive ‘’perfect shot’’.

It starts with the children category. Most of them are Phantom’s students.

The ambiance is family friendly and devoid of judgment.
The kids uncover their best moves in front of the public.
For most, it is their first dance battle.

The music rages on and Phantom is the MC.
A little girl ventures on the floor. She twists and turns to the style of brukup.

At the mic, Phantom says ‘’yeah! let’s go! it’s your body. It’s your music!’’

The moment got inscribed into my memory.

A phrase so simple yet so strong.
A true example of positive leadership that empowers children.
It moved me.

That’s the kind of action our world needs.
It’s famished for it.

We all want to be free
We all want to be seen and accepted
We all want to thrive in a sane environment filled with care.

Most of us did not grow up in that type of world.
But, we can offer it to others who follow in our footsteps.
It is a choice we can make.

All in all, I believe true richness is the one we give away freely.
A sort of energy that grows the more we share it.

That’s the type of abundance that interests me truly.

The impact we have on our environment is surprising. None of us is a lonely island in the middle of sea. We are interconnected whether we know it or not.

I’m at this point in my life where I decide to nourish what surrounds me with joy, acceptance, compassion and love. In terms of ‘’shareable richness’’ I have the honor and gratitude to consider myself a very rich man.

All of this reminds me of a story a percussionist friend of mine told me, one late night, after a gig. It goes like this:

‘’I was in the States for skating and one of my bro was a well known DJ in the area.
He gave DJ classes to young guys from the hood.

One night, at the club, the place was packed and my buddy was the headliner.
During his set, he gives the reins to his student so that he makes a couple of beats and soaks up the experience. The kid obviously has talent.

Meanwhile, he comes to hang with us by the side of the stage.

We chill and some guy asks him: ‘’aren’t you afraid he’s going to steal your crowd? Everybody is here for you, you should enjoy it, don’t you think?’’

To which my bro responded
‘’No man, I ain’t afraid. There’s enough food for everybody on the table’’

Sometimes the simplest phrases are those that are most impactful.

‘’There’s enough food for everyone on the table’’
‘’It’s your body. It’s your music’’

I thank you for the positive leadership my friends!
I’ll do my best to give back all those riches.

AHO!

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N.30 Another Goodbye

I can smell it.
The carcass of whom I used to be.
There’s a lingering. A faint but unmistakable vapor all around. I let it pass.
Old memories resurface. Old ways of being come to the window.
Outside gazing inside.
I hear a tap.
They want to come back in and play but winter is here; no windows shall be opened today.

Last week, I found myself running around trying to make things happen. Pulling a broad array of strings in the hopes of creating a grand tapestry. Just like the old days. Just like the life I left for dead about a year ago.

I recall my time in Kerala. On the roof of where I died. I caress the memory of when all of me came to a stop. That inner voice whispering ‘’aren’t you sick and tired of all these stories?’’

Personal tales of who, why and what we are have a tendency to linger and they hang around the place for a while. On the prowl for an opening. A way to ease back in.
A gift to neverendingly exercise the freedom of choice.

But I come bearing news. Tired of these stories, I choose to live without em.
Emptiness fits me like a well tailored glove.

And so I find myself at Le Verre Bouteille for an evening of musical ‘’carte blanche’’.
Jean Flex on piano, Salomé Perli on violin and Charles Viguerie on sound treatment.

There’s a lot that can be said on the subject of great music, classy lights and a smoke machine. It’s the stuff of dreams. Huffin’ and puffin’ in and out of states of consciousness.

A Freshness imbues the melodies. The tone is warm. The rhythm is slow and intentional.
Tonight is one last goodbye for JeanFlex who goes back to the old land of France on the morrow.

One last gig for the road.

I can’t help but swim into the atmosphere of smoky emotional jazz. I am reminded of the farewells into new beginnings and the rebirths of everyday living.

As weird as this may sound on paper: the realness of this tender sliver of time and space is immensely tangible. I could hold it in my hands if I wanted to.

Standing at the precipice of a blank page, the ink is eager to roll the ball and splanter between the lines drawn by existence.

But, there’s a waiting.
Tonight, I have the honor to be immersed by that in-between space.

A good friend leaves
Another walks in the door

I remain firmly rooted on the bar stool, painting away words of what is, what could be and what may never come to pass.

The tapestry of Life is already so overwhelmingly grandiose, I remember to pay attention to all the gifts that were here first and chase a little less what is just out of reach.

With humility and grace, I am reminded, once again, the greatest of all adventures is the present moment and the gratitude of simply being.

Farewell to you my friend, may the road ahead bequest forth joy and exciting discoveries!