I'm doing well. Working hard and living the good life in the 60's and sun. Not a whole lot has changed and I've been really taking advantage of the area. I don't have any really exciting adventures to report, but I do have some reflections to relay to you.
(6/30/2009)
I think it's time to write some more of my words into this notebook. Another playlist later, here's what we have. I originally started this to give myself a space to keep track of what inspires me. Inspires me to grow, to learn, to become better, to inspire others.
What resulted is nothing but awesomeness for my inspiration. Everyday, I carry a backpack, and every day since starting this project, this notebook has come along for the ride with me. Not only does it help me with keeping track of what inspires me, but it also gives me an awesome resource right there for me to open up to.
After a few months of keeping track of things, I noticed that I had a healthy amount of song lyrics that inspired me. This became the beginnings of a new personal project of mine.
I don't remember when I created the first Moleskine Playlist...but it's still on my iPod -- a testament to it's staying power. Looking over these quotes has now turned into a musical experience that allows me to reflect and re-energize at the same time.
As a matter of stupidity, I hardly ever date my stuff .. but I only write in the order of the pages. Here's what I do know -- from the period of time from 11/29/2009 to the end of the Spring 2009 Semester, there is a definite theme in my quotes, and therefore, the playlist.
STRENGTH.
I was inspired by things, people, and music that gave strength. Whether that be Dead Poets Society, Fleetwood Mac or T.I. -- almost everything was about strength. And I think that this is an appropriate way to gauge what I needed through that time as well. Being possibly some of the most doubt-filled (and therefore ranking in the "crappy" category) time of my life. It makes sense.
But what happened at the end of Spring 2009 to change the tone to something else I removed myself from the entire situation. Not only did I move out, I moved on. I moved to the middle of nowhere and what did I find there? ...That too can be tracked through the Moleskine.
As I share the 2nd round of my Moleskine playlist, I've found that a different theme has emerged onto the field. A theme that makes this group of songs actually enjoyable to listen to, but a theme that can be just as reflective.
PASSION.
Passion for others, passion for self, passion for life. The songs and quotes from the month of June 2009 have been about finding and sustaining passion. Passion -- not things that inspire you but rather sustain the inspiration and encourage you to pass it on. Most of the songs are about love. Loving others and loving yourself. Discovering what you love and continuing on that path.
The quotes have also start to take on a much more external approach. An encouragement to reach out beyond yourself. And promoting an idea of one-ness. Maybe an insinuation that I feel like I'm a part of something, that I have a further understanding of the concept of community and that of being a global citizen.
The best part about the past month is the fact that it has validated what I thought my passion was -- Student Affairs. After last semester and everything I experienced, I had my doubts. After being at Humboldt and seeing how it can be (and how it is) elsewhere -- I've become inspired to have no qualms about my entry into this field in a year.
Maybe it was necessary for me to have this reaffirmation here and now in this experience. But it was definitely not a coincidence. Are there more lessons to be learned? Most Assuredly. But I doubt that anything I experience in the next 3 1/2 weeks can top what has happened already -- but maybe it will.
For those of you who would like these playlists for your own use: here they are. Bring a CD or a flash drive to me, and the mp3s can be yours as well. I hope they inspire you as much as they have inspired me.
The (Original) Moleskine Playlist:
Moleskine Playlist (Version 2.0)
Peace,
Matt
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