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People my people,
So, I have come to another revelation. Like always, this one came as a series of events that led up to the final smack over the head and I think I’m finally starting to get it. So I won’t be upset if you glaze over this and months later it finally hits you as well.
Tonight I went to Benihana’s. I pity the fool who hasn’t signed up for their $30.00 free birthday meal cause the “ish” is scrumptious. If you don’t know what goes on here is a quick synopsis. You sit like eight to a table around a metal slab (or grill or whatever the call it), while a chef slices and dices and flips knives and shrimp as he cooks the food in minutes right in front of you. The place is so popular that it was completely packed on a Monday night. As a promoter all night I’m thinking of reasons that it stays so packed. Short story long, the manager comes at the end of evening and asks, “How did you enjoy the show?” And it hit me, it wasn’t just the food or nice atmosphere, it really was a show. And that is what they label it after every meal. Even while you sit in the lobby there is a picture of their sign that reads “America’s Favorite Restaurant”. At Train of Thought we call our open mic an “Experience”. So my revelation came two fold:
1) How we really see ourselves is what the world will know and experience us. So if we dress fancy, talk fancy, and smell fancy, but really hate ourselves, then good people will tend to think you’re a bit of a tool and other people who hate themselves will cling around, hoping to learn how to fake it like you. That being said I feel it’s important to define our own story. Write it how we want it to be told. Is your life a long journey or an experience? Are the people close to you your friends or are they your family? Is it a job or your career? How you internally define things/people will determine how you interact with them.
2) Sweat the small stuff. I’m sure you have all heard the saving or have read the book, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” I have come to realize that it is really our everyday decisions that make up the whole of our lives. The 15 min of practice you got in. The stairs instead of the elevator, the office sweets you pass, the writing a blog not knowing who will actually read it when all you want to do is watch reruns of the Cosby Show. Every percent we improve…we improve, and they can never take that away from you.
More Happenings
We still need volunteers of all walks and talents for Fiesta Del Sol (San Diego’s Largest Latino Family Festival) over 75,000 in over a weekend in August last year, this year we are getting bigger and better. Next meeting Thursday, April 14th. Let me know if you’re down.
I am very excited to announce that I will be playing the House of Blues this Wednesday. In my 30+ years I have not even been in a House of Blues before so to sing and do some spoken word man, I’m geeked! I’ll be playing a set with the phenomenal Summer Mencher.
Also in the works, I may be joining an amazing Latin fusion band that plays all over Diego. If our schedules work out right it’s a go. That’s right your boy is going to be singing and rapping in English AND Spanish! It will be a great opportunity and learning experience. I’ll keep you posted.
This Weeks Challenge:
I’ve said a lot today so this one will be short and sweet. In the low part of one of your days this week, find a mirror and wink at yourself. That’s it. It’s weird but it works. It kinda lifts things. If that doesn’t work do it twice. It’s nearly impossible to wink at yourself and not feel a little more confident, or at least the good kind of silly. Try it, hit me back, and tell me what happens.
These next few weeks features at TOT are some of the best we have ever had. Please don’t miss out, I feel sorry for anyone who does.
Until then,
Be now
Remember The Light
Gill Sotu