Life Happens

It's been a while since I've posted an article, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Have you ever wished for more hours in a day, or for your "plate" to be bigger? I have. Twenty four hours just doesn't seem to be enough. Many of you can relate to what I am saying - time is a dwindling commodity. Your family needs a big chunk of it. Your prayer life needs a big chunk of it. Your work needs a big chunk of it. Managing your finances takes a big chunk of it. Your friends want a chunk of it. All of the apps, bells and whistles on your smart phone wants a huge chunk of it. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you try to find some time to relax so you don't have a heart attack from the stress of it all.

I always thought that gadgets would make my life easier, but they've made it even more complicated. Instant messaging is a cool thing to have, but people sometimes take the "instant" a little too literally. You know what I mean - you send an instant message, you expect the reply to be instant, and when it isn't, sometimes people send the message again, and again, until you reach the point of wanting to throw your phone at the nearest brick wall.

Sure, I can do more things much easier and faster than my parents could, but "making my life easier" has evolved into "have to get more done in less time". No time to cook, throw a dinner in the microwave. No time to talk, send a text message. No time to visit, send an email to your mother. The bottom line is that we're too stinking busy for our own good.

I've just completed my first solo album, and I had no idea how much time it was going to take. Tracking sessions, vocal sessions, mix-down sessions, mastering sessions, photo sessions; by the time it was all through, I thought I was going to have to go to a psychiatrist session! And, unfortunately, it left me with no additional time. I tried to stretch out the hours, but my "day stretcher" was in the shop and I just couldn't squeeze it all in.

Which brings us back to my first paragraph. I guess it's all part of the "circle of life" (cue monkey to hold up lion cub). John Lennon wrote a lyric that is particularly poignant to today's lifestyle: "life is what happens while you're busy making other plans". We just have to be careful to not only live, but to enjoy life.

I'm going to start by turning off my smart phone. By the way, if that thing is so smart, why does it do such stupid things sometimes?

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