Two of Everything

What happens when you wake before dawn because Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art” makes you realize there’s precious little time to beat the resistance and create your best life?

You get your ass up early. Even if you stayed up past midnight watching The Minimalists on Netflix. You might even write the idea/title “Two of Everything” in your little notebook before falling dead asleep on the cold floor.

While I slept, Springsteen’s “Tunnel of Love” record spun on a way-to-hipster Silvertone turntable beside me.

(Also someone thought it’d be hilarious to take a pic of me “working hard." #notamorningperson

Days later, when I was positive I wouldn’t be able to write this week’s song (just like every week), I again picked up the pencil and guitar and this song came out in about 30 minutes.

Luckily, we are all a product of the people we surround ourselves with and the practice we put in. Inspiration doesn't have to be magical. But it is absolutely elusive if we don't even begin.

Or stated in reverse: If I had watched bullshit TV instead of The Minimalists’ story about the things that matter … if I had not read Pressfield’s kick in the ass, if I only listened to slick scholck, and if I hadn't at least picked up the pencil, I wouldn’t have finished song 7 of 52.

I still would have slept, like a dog, in front of the fire though. And watched bullshit TV the following evening. Balance, ya know?

If you have any mountain you’ve been trying to climb but it seems too steep, you owe it to your sanity to read all of Steven Pressfield’s books.

And now, please enjoy this homage to The Boss and all the lonely hearted still willing to believe.