It’s about starting over . com

Last year, I wrote a song called Rutz! (Run!) in Hebrew for a songwriting course. It went over so well that I decided to use it for a test/audition, which was also very successful. I asked a couple of good friends (who are also wonderful musicians) to join me in singing it a cappela. It worked out so wonderfully that everyone who heard it said, “why don’t you guys sing together regularly?”

We’ll, we’ve taken their advice!

The group we put together is called Et al, and we had our debut performance on Wednesday night at the Tel Aviv Folk Club.

NOW WE’RE ALL RICH AND WON’T EVER NEED TO WORK AGAIN…EVER!!! (Yeah, right! )

The others in the group (and my good friends) are (from right to left, above) Rahel Jaskow (of Day of Rest fame), Dvir Cafri (previously of Gospel Jazz), myself, and John Worley. I’ll write more about this later, but for now, please pop over to YouTube to see the videos! You can find them at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqyWhUc3uMI, and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1FO8OARO4M.

 Enjoy!

I used to have a copy of the Desiderata hanging in the upper left corner of my bathroom mirror. I was sure to see it there at least twice a day. One of the more impressive lines in it encourages us to avoid comparing ourselves with others, “for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” I’ve always felt that these are words of wisdom.

I’ve faced a lot of difficulties during my life so far but for some reason, I’ve never wallowed in it. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve felt a lot of anger and, at times, it hasn’t been easy to deal with but I eventually came to the realization that I needed to let it go. Or, in other words, to forgive.

When you grow up with difficulties you tend to think of those difficulties, and of your life, as normal…at least, until you find out that there’s something different.

If you’re a person who harbors a lot of anger toward your parents because you feel that they did you wrong when you were a child, or if you feel that your childhood was damaging and you can’t seem to get past it, watch the movie, Slumdog Millionaire. It’ll help put things in perspective.

Keeping a copy of the Desiderata somewhere where you will see it at least once each day is really helpful too. It’s full of good, common-sense wisdom.

This is one of my favorite poems. I used to have it hanging in the upper corner of my bathroom mirror so that I would see it at least twice every day. I think I’ll print it out and hang it there again because it’s filled with such beautiful, sage advice.

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste
and remember what peace there may be in silence
As far as possible without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others;
even the dull and ignorant, for they too have their story
Avoid loud and aggressive persons for they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble, Continue Reading »