It’s a DIY world. I can attest to the fact that everything under the sun has already been done before. If I don’t know how to do something, I can easily look it up on YouTube, because someone else has already done it. Not only have they already done it, but they’ve made a video about it. It’s mind-blowing to think that every thought that passes through my mind is not unique to me. The same thought has already come and gone through the minds of others past, present, and future. I could get discouraged and think it’s a futile effort to try and create anything new. However, I also know that my version will be different—the me-ness that comes with everything I do.
For example, with the new album I am in the thick of creating, I decided I would make a lyric video to go with every song. I wanted to tell a story within a story using pictures and videos. The options are infinite and I can never quite nail the formless with words and photos, but I try regardless—circling around and around. It’s almost like a reverse game of charades with myself—trying to describe the color purple without saying purple.
In creating the recent lyric video for the song One Less Thing, I took each lyric phrase and tried to find a photograph or video clip that resonated with what I was trying to say. For the phrase one less thing, the seeds of a dandelion blowing in the wind popped into my mind, with each little seed being one less thing, worry, or problem to think about. I didn’t have a video or photo like this on my phone, so I did the next best thing, I googled “dandelion in the wind.” Sure enough, someone else already thought of this. They even made a short video clip and uploaded it for me to use. AMAZING!!
We all have so much in common. And it goes way deeper than what we can see on the surface. We share the same thoughts. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Probably. But this is where everything changes. From the basic stripped-down version of a thought, we add our unique embellishments in the form of experiences, circumstances, colors, memories, pictures, songs, etc. to make a one-of-a-kind version of life as we know it. We are all making a life—creating a strand of pearls from tiny bits of sand. And we’re all connected on the same strand by something we can’t see.
Through this connection, we give and receive—a continuous act of reciprocity. I glean the creative gifts of others and weave them into my own work. And when I offer it back to the world, other people can do the same—creating, weaving, and connecting threads to form an ever-changing living work of art.
So, I have a thought. The next song, the final song on the Travelin’ Light Album will be titled How to Make a Life, or something similar. And yes, you’ll be able to look it up on YouTube if you’re ever wondering how to get started.
Here’s my storyboard, outline, or jumping-off point
How to Make a Life or Making a Life (I’m not sure of the title yet.)
The main ingredients—time, people, animals, and Mother Nature (earth, sky, sunshine, rain, water, flowers, trees…)
Spice it up with love, kindness, laughter, music, games…
My version will have some little things like coffee, guitars, pens that write in pretty colors, and lots of blank paper. Oh and solar string lights…and dark chocolate…and a dog named Dennis.
*Spoiler alert…it’s never something that you can do just once. It’s a moment-by-moment practice.
Now…to put this into a song.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest.