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January 04, 2007
Out With the Old, in With the New
Today Sheryl went out and replaced the stereo in our van. Ever since we purchased our van four years ago, the stereo has not worked properly. The CD player never worked, and we could only get a couple of AM stations on the radio. So if I was driving around during the afternoon, it was either silence or Rush Limbaugh. Silence proved preferable.
To make matters even worse, in order to play CDs, we used this device where you put this cassette like object into the cassette slot, and it connected somehow to the portable CD player. In attempting to use this device, the cassette got stuck in the stereo, and we had to put up with this constant grinding sound coming from the cassette player. I quickly learned to block out the sound, but it used to drive Sheryl crazy. I was content, we were still able to play CDs, I couldn't see what the problem was. I am now ashamed of my insensitivity.
Finally, Sheryl could take it no more. She ordered a new stereo for the van, and as soon as it was delivered, (which was today) she put it in herself. Naturally, it worked. The first time she tried it.
This started me wondering, how many other things, are there in my life that I put up with? Maybe there are some things that I need to get rid of and replace with something new and improved.
I can't really think of too many material things that I need to replace immediately. Actually, the stereo in the van was one of the few things that didn't work. Other than that, the car is in very good shape, as are all of the major appliances in our house. Everything in my studio works well, there is the occasional technical glitch, but I'm usually able to fix it in a short time.
Our TV is not the latest high definition/plasma model, but it looks fine to me. I don't watch much television, anyway.
We recently got new furniture for the living room, so I have no complaints about that. Our dining room table is 25 years old, but it's still standing! I suppose we'll have to replace it some day.
We will also need to upgrade our computers very soon, but for the time being, they do everything that we need them to do. Well, actually they don't do it all by themselves, we have to help a little bit.
So what am I talking about? I'm talking about attitudes that need to be changed, and new attitudes that need to be developed.
I've been working on developing these attitudes or attributes, if you will, for a long time.
I'm working on developing an attitude of confidence in everything that I do. I was brought up to believe that it was wrong to "toot your own horn.” But if you're never allowed to tell anybody that you're good at what you do, your confidence begins to suffer.
I know from experience that I am very good at what I do. Amazingly, nobody seems to be very offended when I tell them. I've learned that it's actually possible to inform someone that you're good at what you do, and remain humble!
The attitude I'm working hardest on developing in 2007 is the willingness to take risks, and try new things.
During the past several months, I've been working with a very talented jazz singer named Sybil Gage. Now, I've always loved jazz, but I've never really put a great deal of effort into learning how to play it properly. Now that I'm working with Sybil, I am forced to put in the effort! It's been a real learning experience for me. I can feel myself growing as a musician, and I'm enjoying it very much.
Another new thing in my musical life is the Sheryl Paige band. Spike, Sandy, Sheryl and I have put together this group to play casual dates at country clubs and private parties. My good friend and longtime agent, Len Turner, is representing us. We played our first official date on New Years Eve! Talk about baptism by fire. But we made it, and we’re looking forward to playing future dates together.
I'm also planning to put a great deal of effort into building our BurnLounge business. This is definitely something new for me.
I'm also hoping to acquire more business clients. While I enjoy working with musicians, it's a different kind of challenge to work with a business. Most of the work that I do for businesses consists of voiceover work, creating radio spots, or recording podcasts. And I'm sure as the year goes along, I’ll find a few other things I can do for businesses.
These are just a few of the new things that I hope to bring into my life in 2007.
The one old thing in my life that I am most desirous of getting rid of is the fear of the new! I'll keep working on that.
A belated happy new year!
Posted by leon at January 4, 2007 07:32 PM