Passion Party #331 - Life Is Not A Target

You can go to the archery range,
take a few lessons
and learn to shoot a bow and arrow.
If you practice for hours
you can learn to hit the center of the target.
If you are really motivated
you can buy really good equipment
which makes the target easier to hit.

But life is not like that.
Life is not a target for me to hit.
Life often laughs
at the fancy equipment
and all the practice and rehearsal.

I just need to learn
to laugh along
and play the game.

Passion Party #330 - Share More

People are attracted to passionate people
and passionate people aren't afraid to share.

Wikipedia defines sharing as "the joint use of a resource or space."

If you are really passionate about something
you want the world to know
and you want to share it.

So
Share the knowledge
share your wisdom
share your favorite book or movie
share who you really are.

Wikipedia is an ultimate example of sharing. Please read this message from Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia. The 10 year-old organization just held their annual fundraiser, as they are a not-for-profit organization that relies on individual contributions to survive and grow.
They just raised $16 million dollars in about a week, from over 630,000 contributors. The average donation was $22.00.

It all came about from sharing information.
Check it out at wikipedia

Passion Party #329 - Clean House

I am tired of planning.
I am tired of doing.
Today is a day for mindless activity.
I love the though of clearing out old files
putting all the clutter away
and starting fresh with a clean desk
and a blank piece of paper.

Throwing out old files
recycling books and clothes
that are of no use to me any more
creating space
for the New Year to fill.

Passion Party #328 - Getting What I Want vs. Wanting What I Get

New Years resolutions are often lists of things we want to have happen for us.
If I spend all my time wanting,
as my friend Jimmy Wakimoto pointed out,
it points to a dissatisfaction with the present moment,
and prevents me from living and appreciating the NOW of life.

Instead of getting what I want,
why not embrace wanting what I get?

More than a list of gratitudes,
writing about what I "get to" do
creates anticipation and excitement.
(Remember as a kid when you talking about how you
"get to" go to Disneyland?)

I am so happy that
- I get to drive my car today
- I get to go work in my newly painted and carpeted office today
- I get to work with people that respect me today
- I get to talk to clients that trust me today
- I get to hug my son and my wife today
- I get to be passionate today!

Passion Party #327 - Business Plan

I used to think that a business plan
consisted of looking at last year,
crunching the numbers,
and then projecting what the next year will be like.

Now I have learned
that the numbers only tell what has happened
and projections are really just guesses.

It is good to see where the business has come from
because then you can ask important questions:
- What are the 10 best things that happened last year?
- What do I like about my job/business
- What do I want my business to look like in a year? In 5 years?
- What do I want more of? Why do I want it? How can I get it?
- What do I want less of? How can I get rid of it?

If I truly believe that I can create what I want
then it is all about the questions,
and taking time to find the answers.

If I ask the right questions
then, really, the numbers will take care of themselves.

Passion Party #326 - Influence

Most all my business comes from the network I have developed.
It is mostly people I have met face to face.
Many of them have personally used my services.
They know, like, and trust me.
These are people that are personally invested in seeing me succeed
because I feel the same way about them.
I want them to be successful.
I want to help them, first and foremost.

When I focus on the other person's win,
that is when I succeed,
because that person becomes my advocate.
And then my interests are taken care of.

It is not money or position that creates influence.
Influence creates money and position.
My influence is determined by
how abundantly I place
other people's interest first.

Passion Party #325 - Courageous Conversations

We live in a time
where "friend" is a verb
where people post online
what they had for breakfast
as if I care.

Our instant communication
is deafening
and meaningless.

What matters most is reaching out to a person
without fear
asking how they are doing
and really listening to the answer.

Not the frivolous holiday card
but a courageous conversation
where truth is spoken in every aspect of your life
and true friendship is created.

Passion Party #324 - Its The Journey

How many of us can sit back and say,
"I've made it. I've arrived"?
Others may look at your accomplishments
at your fame or your bank account
(or lack thereof)
and pass judgment.
The view from the outside may be grand
but I believe it is an inside job.

What is most important is how we spend our days
as we travel on our journey through life.
It is not where you are going
but how you get there.
It is the actions, not the goal
It is the journey, not the destination.

Passion Party #323 - Recipe For a Great Year

I ended the "old year"
with a hike in Eaton Canyon, above Pasadena
massages for Diana and I
composing music (an Adagio for cello and string orchestra)
a sushi dinner at our favorite local restaurant.

I started the "new year"
with a hike up the Baldwin Hills Overlook
cooking a big pot of chili
a music party with friends from Santa Monica High School and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and UCLA faculty.

The ingredients for a great year:
- time to reflect
- time to hike in nature
- time to cook nourishing food
- time to take care of my body with exercise and massage
- time to compose and play music
- time with friends and family

Mix 2 - 3 ingredients per day, and have a great year!

Passion Party #322 - Living In Gratitude

It had been a long time
since I spent a full day immersed in music.
An hour here and there is nice, but not fulfilling.
In December I played two gigs on one day,
a luncheon holiday party and then my annual Jazz Party for the Homeless,
raising money for Path Ventures
http://epath.org
In between the two gigs I gave myself time
to focus, practice piano and get organized.

This was a gift to myself
a wonderful gift
the result of preparation, persistence and passion.
And the answer to
what I am grateful for today.
Today I am living in gratitude.

Passion Party #321 - Why Am I Crying Today?

I want to see you
I want to hear you
I want to breathe deeply
and feel your pain
Not to fix it
but just to be there for you,
be the shoulder you can cry on.

I want to hug you
and show you that I love you.
I know your pain
the pain of the artist
the pain of knowing how good it can be
and not being able to consistently get there
not accepting
that where you are is good enough.

Know
that you are loved
the tears I cry today are for you.

Passion Party #320 - Business Plan

I used to think that a business plan
consisted of looking at last year,
crunching the numbers,
and then projecting what the next year will be like.

Now I have learned
that the numbers only tell what has happened
and projections are really just guesses.

It is good to see where the business has come from
because then you can ask important questions:
- What are the 10 best things that happened last year?
- What do I like about my job/business
- What do I want my business to look like in a year? In 5 years?
- What do I want more of? Why do I want it? How can I get it?
- What do I want less of? How can I get rid of it?

If I truly believe that I can create what I want
then it is all about the questions,
and taking time to find the answers.

If I ask the right questions
then, really, the numbers will take care of themselves.