On today's episode of, "In Musicland"

On today's episode, we delve into the writing process, talk about progress that's been made, things that have inspired, and things to be thankful for.

I've never been someone who has had a lot of self discipline. This isn't really a good thing for a musician since playing an instrument requires practice. Practice requires discipline. You follow? The thing that is usually lacking is motivation. For me the thing that has hindered my discipline goes beyond motivation. I am definitely motivated by a positive end result, but lately I've succumbed to a fear of failure. The good thing is that there is always a bright side. Failure is the soil from which progress grows. Learning from our mistakes and all of that. So slowly I am weening myself from using fear as a crutch.

That's sort of where I'm at in the writing process, and that's actually what I've been writing about. Reasons that it's taken me so long to really progress from where I was.

I've been trying to do things lately to physically go with the flow to compliment mentally and emotionally doing so. I've been riding my bike a lot lately which has had an awesome effect on how I feel at the end of the day. Seeing things along the way, finding happiness in little things that you just miss when you're speeding along in a car.

The other day I was riding, and passed a woman walking home. Just the act of exchanging a, "Good afternoon," put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Seeing other bikers and feeling this commonality with one another is a profound thing. Really just seeing yourself in someone else, and sharing an understanding of that. I think the word for that is, "Namaste."

I tend to get on kicks where I'm really influenced by certain people.. other artists, my brother, my fellow local friends/musicians etc.. Someone I've learned a lot about joy and gratitude from is Jason Mraz. I'll let this video speak for itself. It's almost impossible not to smile all the way through it.

Crazy Man's Ju-Ju PART NINE (Make It Mine UK Version)


Lastly, my friend Sam has been a good source of motivation lately. He and I tend to be in the same boat of frustration with lack of productivity, so we've been kind of keeping each other in check. He wrote this great tune with our friend Matthew called, "Peras Argentinas," and I was lucky enough to play bass and sing backing vocals on the recording. You can check it out on his myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/maryshomelesspeople

Today I am thankful for an overly affectionate kitty, and my new bag of collard greens.

Namaste.