Feel the path of every day
Which road you taking?
Breathing hard, making hay
Yeah, this is living”Unthought Known – Pearl Jam
Eddie Sends Me a Message
Music has always been a direct link to my emotions, but sometimes, at the right moment with the right song, I can have an out of body experience.
The other day I was driving with the windows down and listening to loud music. I had just made a big decision that I was struggling with and wasn’t sure I had made the right call. It was a choice that would potentially have immense impact on my future and was a risk. Unthought Known by Pearl Jam came through the speakers as if the universe had created the playlist for me.
It was a “Holy Sh*t” moment.
Like many songs, Unthought Known can have many different meanings. In that moment, Eddie Vedder was singing directly to me and letting me know that I had a big future ahead of me.
“See the path cut by the moon
For you to walk on
See the waves on distant shores
Awaiting your arrival”
Taking a Different Road
Eddie Vedder is a genius songwriter. He is a poet in rock star clothing. I recently heard a fascinating story about how he was discovered, and it was perfectly in-line with what this song is about.
When Eddie was 26 he was working as a gas station attendant in southern California. He loved music and just wanted to be around it, so he decided to moonlight at a local club working with the sound technicians.
This is where he met drummer Jack Irons who told him about a band looking for a singer. Eddie went to visit the band Mother Love Bone. They had an instant connection leading to the formation of Pearl Jam. 31 years later, they are still one of the biggest rock bands in the world.
He pursued what he loved, in a seemingly insignificant way, and his life was dramatically changed forever.
I love the idea of doing something that is counterintuitive to my daily routine leading to great things. There is usually risk involved, and sometimes my choice will be the wrong one, but at the very least I will have tried. The most important part of this practice is to learn from any outcome, and adapt accordingly.
Where to Start
Something Different Today
Like many others, this pandemic has kept me home more than ever before. My job is one that is spent mostly behind a computer screen, and if I am not careful, I can be in the same chair for the entire day.
The simple act of going outside for a walk or meeting a friend/colleague for lunch could just be a nice break from the norm. But, what if on the walk I see something that inspires me to pursue a passion I have buried?What if at lunch, my friend presents an opportunity for me that changes my life’s direction?
With no crystal ball there is no way of knowing, but by putting myself out there can lead to something amazing.
Find A New Hobby
My wife is an artist and has had tremendous success in her business over the last few years. Her followers are passionate and loyal to her brand, but getting her work in front of more people presented a challenge. With a background in media, I wanted to try and help her expand her audience.
I spent time researching social media strategies and took a few online courses on how to properly use the different platforms for growth. We ran Facebook ad campaigns and tried a some new techniques for Instagram posts. Her site saw 150% growth in traffic on those days! Her follower count went up and she sold some original pieces that had been on her site for a while.
I am in no way taking credit for her accomplishments. Without the great product, none of these tactics would have worked.
But this exercise got me interested in building my own brand, which led me to starting Old Rock Life.
I had no intention of sharing my story or writing a blog, but as I followed the breadcrumbs, I found an outlet that brings me joy everyday.
Read
I talk about this a lot, but reading is the biggest source of inspiration in my life. I choose content that is relevant to me, but might also challenge the way I view the world.
My days are busy, and finding windows of time to read can be difficult. Audiobooks are a great way to squeeze in some extra daily learning. I listen to books while running, mowing the lawn, or driving.
Catch Up with a Friend
This pandemic has made connecting with people more challenging than ever before. With the lack of “water cooler” talk, I realize that I miss hearing different perspectives on life. However, technology provides an endless amount of tools that I can still connect with friends and co-workers, it just takes a little more effort.
I have multiple regularly scheduled Zoom calls with friends and colleagues each week. Having this time blocked off on our calendars holds us accountable to attending the meeting. Sometimes there is a topic to discuss, sometimes it is a free-for-all, but staying connected has opened many opportunities for me both personally and in my career.
Keep Looking
I am still looking for which road will lead to “my thing”. For the first time in a while though, I feel like I am doing something off of the hamster wheel. I have spent much of my life going with the flow of normalcy, and I am just now exploring the world outside of my comfort zone. My goal is to never stop looking, and if I am able to continue to take new roads, I will keep growing.
“Dream the dreams of other’s then
Pearl Jam
You will be no one’s rival”
