Shawn Adam Williams
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3/16/2022 1:38:49 PM
I'm Ok But I'm NOT Ok
Can I say something to you at this time? I'm ok but I'm not ok. Every opportunity come and go. First, it was Naomi Osaka got heckled. Then, Dolly Parton got declined for this year's Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Now, me. Every single failure is basically true. But I tried to be me and it didn't work. Right now, I'll stay silent for a while before it's too late.
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Mike Lance
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3/16/2022 3:42:45 PM
You need to remind yourself why you're doing this. Is it for the the accolades and mainstream success, or for the love of the music? Given your dedication to the blues, both with what you post here as well as your improv videos on youtube, I suspect it's the latter. I would say you're quite successful where it counts.
2 Golden Kayaks (and counting) are also indicative of this success.
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Stoneman
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3/17/2022 12:59:12 AM
Mike is right on point on this one! I might add that everyday I give thanks for the true successes of my life! My relationships with people, song after song, award after award, friendships, A few Kayaks, my faith. Man, if you start making a list right now I am sure you can fill up a page with the list of successes you have. The small things are the things that matter the most. Trust me, I have seen whats at the tip of the mountain top and it ain't all that they claim it is. God has a plan. It may not be synced to your personal timetable but it is a plan for your life. Now, you can live your life complaining about al the crap that doesn't even really matter or you can spend your days giving thanks for the things that do.
Allow me to tell you a true story that has an important moral. I went to Wasghington DC to visit the Vietnam memorial a few years back. I wanted to see the names of my friends who had been killed in action when I served on the wall on honor. Walking through the mall I came upon a Vietnam memorial artifacts and souvenirs stand that was being run by a veteran. This veteran was in front of his stand with a loud microphone screaming his head off about how badly the US had fucked over us vets. I stood and listened for a spell but then decided to move on. Further down the way I came upon another Vietnam memorial stand that was also being tended to by a veteran. The difference was that this veteran had lost an arm and both of is legs in battle. I walked up to him and thanked him for his service and he gave me that knowing look that we vets have and said "Welcome home brother". We chatted for a while and then I just had to ask him a question. I asked: How are you so chill my brother? That man down the way is acting like someone just beat him up but he has all of his limbs while you sit here in a wheelchair being so chilled and calm about everything. That man looked me in the eyes and said "Brother, I am alive" "You know a lot of us didn't make it this far". Sure, the government screwed us over 50 years ago but today, I am alive and I am thankful for that.
So, I say to you that failure is all a part of life. You take the good and treasure it and overcome the bad by being thankful for the good. That has been my personal recipe for the few successes I have had. I would submit that compared to many, you are doing just fine and are right in line with God's plan for your life. Keep humble and remember that your portion belongs to you and nobody can take it away. Relax and give thanks for what is and you will notice that so much more is coming. I call it being attentive to my faith. Some things require our attention in order for them to be activated. You are amazing. Trust in that!
So, what do you think the moral of this story. Well the result for him was that I bought about $200.00 worth of his shit. I didn't buy anything from the other guy. As the older folks use to say "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar". Anoher one that comes to mind is "Don't let your mouth get in the way of your blessings". Finally, there is this. Give hanks each day and everyday you will find more to be thankful for. No, you may not have reached superstar level yet but that diesn't mean you won't get there. A wise man once told me to "Just keep writing and producing songs" Your joy should come from being able to do that. Peace!
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