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I don’t know if I’m a writer. I’ve never considered myself an artist. It’s hard to imagine that I’ve had a creative mode in my body. Somewhere along the way, I thought it would be a good idea to create a website. Something I had no clue how to do. It was all frontier to me. I had dabbled into the thought of blogging but was initially resistant for several reasons:

• Fear of the unknown.  
• The self-perceived lack of margin in my life to create such a thing. 
• The thought that I had no business writing. 
• “I’m a PE Teacher and Football Coach, not a writer!” was one example of my inner dialogue.

I needed release or an outlet from the trials of the day-to-day. I was once a video gamer, where I spent countless hours living in an imaginary world that offered an escape. With a pinch of Kodiak Wintergreen, I could sink into a chair and find myself drifting away into mindlessness. It was common practice to rush through family time, work, or other life events, just to scramble to my chair for a pinch and a game. At the end of each session, an emptiness surfaced in my heart. I knew I could offer more to myself, family, & community. When I quit tobacco, collaterally, I stopped gaming. I associated one with the other. Two addictions that were not bringing life to me or others. I desperately needed to supplement the two with something else. So began my first attempt to write.

What I found, was writing tapped into an undisclosed portion of me. It was if I had arrived into a world of adventure and unknown, with an immense sense of wonder and exploration. I’ve realized I want more of this world. Writing has helped me to see how art uses its power on the human soul. It plays a formidable role, where it nourishes the mind and body. 

For years I was required to write research papers or book reports that were a bore. I approached each of those assignments as a roadblock to a certificate or diploma. I quickly rushed through each of them and found little value in their so-called benefit to personal development. I was jumping through hoops and performing grunt work. The writing was not from the heart and certainly not from a place of passion or zeal. When I began to write for me, not by assignment, the breath of life began to circulate through me. I came alive in a way that I had not experienced. I was able to start downloading and releasing internal thought compilations that had accumulated over the decades. It had allowed me to renovate my mind and rid of clutter.   

I’m just scratching the surface of putting thoughts to paper. I attempt to access my creative process every day. Either I open up my OneNote app to jot down notes or sit at my library computer and piece paragraphs together. I have begun to embrace creation and know that each writing session, no matter how large or small, may not birth a masterpiece. The idea is to put in the work. There will be days when I feel like an artist and days when I’m lucky to get a sentence down. The symbolism of life here is very compelling to me. It allows me to approach difficult days with more ease, where I know good days are to follow.

I must resist the temptation to name what I’m creating or map the direction I’m heading. New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell says, “Just enjoy the fact that you get to do this.” I try not to complicate my version of art by placing it in a box with a label. At this moment, I yearn to keep going.

Also, I want to give a special thanks to Andrew Neel for the feature photo.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

It’s concert season, but no one is buying tickets. The tour vans remain parked and isolated, much like the rest of us. There is no hopeful anticipation of favorite songs being piped into the atmosphere by glorious musicians. The mystifying lights and artistic backdrops are hidden away. Spontaneous choir-like performances, where friends sing and share times of joy, are not taking shape. We keep our best yard blankets tucked away at home. We wish we could share a sunset as the band takes the stage.

In remembrance of our lost concert season, I share my Dad’s band, Sounds Unlimited! This photo recently surfaced from the depths of a missing photo collection. Dad is on the trumpet and rocking the plaid shorts. Today, the sounds may be limited, but not back then. This picture speaks to me. It brings life to my Dad’s recollections of his time in the band. I’d love to be on the front row, singing along, and escape into their musical dream for a moment.

I have accumulated a small collection of concert posters over the years. They are terrific story pieces that evoke great memories and fun. I created this poster to add to the wall.  Although our venues are quiet, the Sounds Unlimited rock on!

“Turn it up and rip the knobs off!” – Bruce Colbert

Messages have evolved from the circumstance of isolation. Patience has pounded its drum in my inner being. The core beat has resonated with me. It routinely surfaces through subtle signs and reminds me to slow down. Through this evolving life story, I’ve begun to understand, now more than ever, the importance of rhythm.  The universe has slowed to an idle. It’s engine calmly rumbles in its parking spot.  I’m hesitant to hit the accelerator and move back into the world of racing, where speed is essential.

The slow and steady is restoring. It has unveiled the beauties we yearn to experience. The unhurried mornings sitting over breakfast. The neighborhood walks, where we genuinely experience our neighbors. Listening to soul-stirring music day after day.  Encountering time with our Father.  Each, an experience where God uniquely shows up. Moments where peace and life are found.

Let us not waste our pain, where sacrifices have sustained our communities, families, and self. Like a 69 Mustang, goodness begs for reconditioning. Hearts may be shined and souls tuned. With a recalibrated perspective, we can align our course away from the straight road, to the spiraling narrow one, where we appreciate the process and earn the result.

It was a striking and revealing statement for me by Gary Vaynerchuk. His explanation of documenting your life each day is groundbreaking in the sense of education for future generations. How cool would it be to see: 

• The growth of a successful businessman/woman from start to finish
• The rise of a young student to a doctor
• The journey of a youth athlete to elite sport star
• The progression of a kid with a passion for the military, meet their dream of serving as a Marine
• The becoming of a great pastor of a church or ministry
• Etc. 

How awesome would it be to hand your children a digital blueprint of what it looked like to become who you are? A playbook if you will. The passing of treasured information from one generation to the next. Stories are no longer just books or journals. I’m not talking about aimlessly capturing your every move. I’m talking about intentionally documenting you in your professional space. The recording is not limited to your job, but extending to passions.

Holy cow, what I would give to see the rise of each of my grandfathers. Passing at an early age, I never saw them operate in their world of expertise. I would love to see James Frederick Prather Jr’s daily habits and his best business practices. I would like to understand why he picked out the Stetson he did for certain occasions. What it looked like to raise two daughters like myself. I would love to see Leland French Colbert on Lake Cumberland. Him leading us to his favorite fishing hole, documenting how to tie the perfect knot and demonstrate the art of bait casting.

For me, my perspective has begun to shift. I have been reluctant to share my life and what it entails. It may not be fascinating to many, but it may teach a few. One day my children will see where I stood as a man, and that is all I need to justify a life of documentation.    

What will your digital life tell about you?

I have been FREE from tobacco for over 2 years now.  It has been a relentless adventure that I continue today. It is a road that will never end.  Like anything, it has its peaks and valleys. In the beginning there was adversity at every turn. In time those points of challenge have begun to space out, but remain.

I was a slave to tobacco. I have since been set free, and I determine how I live my life. A chemical does not govern me.  An internal battle will rage on, but I have a will to fight. Persistent attacks from a faceless enemy is tiring. I constantly arm myself with weapons to defeat this insurgency.

• Jesus
• Prayer
• Family
• Mentors and people of influence
• Music
• Laughter
• Reading
• Exercise
• Countless pieces of gum & toothpicks
• Journaling
• Time in nature
• Meditation
• Conversation
• Water / mineral water / carbonated water
• Coffee
• The list goes on…

Addiction impacts each of us. Our minds are geared to rationalize consumption to create comfort. We do not experience growth if we do not resist this comfortability and allow stress to strengthen us. Forming a vigilant mindset is essential to obtain victory over self-doubt and sabotage.

Every day I’m in search of resources that I can add to my armory. I seek to strengthen my subconscious and use these tools to fight off temptation and the cunningness of the enemy.

Amor up and stay vigilant!

#Youniversalife #Bridaledstrength #Armorup #Stayinthefight #Keepgoing #Thepeacefulpathwayofpain