RISKY BUSINESS

Two random conversations with friends spurred this little ditty. Alaya flat out asked me "Are you still blogging?" and my tour partner Mike asked "When did you sell your car?" 

Alaya along with Ted and a handful of other people have expressed how much they've missed my inspirational ramblings and thoughts; which, number one, made my heart melt, but number two made me realize that I have gotten away from silencing everything around me. 

The selling my car conversation made me stop and do the math that I've been car-less for 14 months. The reason that's pivotal is that's when I decided to quit my great 401k and great benefits comfort zone job to get back on the road.

Honestly I was fearful of taking a risk. Here I was *cough* cough* years old leaving behind a logical, good paying normal job for an adventurous independent contractor gig that was only 3 months long with nothing lined up past that. From that one bold, risky move I was able to vacation in SE Asia for an extended period of time, work  prime NCAA football and men's basketball games, see Antelope Canyon, attend Run DMC's Dj school, take surf lessons, see my brother play in the NFL, work with Bastille and hire an up and coming band for the current project I'm on. Hindsight makes me roll on the floor laughing because when I was packing up my work life into a cardboard box, I had several wtf am I doing thoughts, several. (Mom, wtf means wow that's fantastic) 

What's interesting is that years ago someone crazy told me " The biggest risk is not taking a risk." Between that quote and my dad's short but incredible existence on this earth, I've felt deep within my bones a need to live. Not like living hooked up to a life support of coffee and bedridden only until the weekends, but a life filled with passion, excitement, love, travel and adventure. 

Back to risks, I'm dumbfounded by how my generation's parents tell their kids "go to a good state school, find a solid government job and retire at 50." I'm not poo-pooing on that advice, I just think people should be encouraged to explore their talents and follow their passions. Who would have thought that an immigrant from Mexico that lived on the streets of San Diego would have built a highly profitable profession on rehabilitating dogs, probably not Ceasar Millan. Who would have thought that a sixteen year old high school drop out would become a billionaire by following his love for music by starting Virgin Records, maybe Richard Branson. And what about the illegitimate daughter raised by her grandmother in the farm country of  Mississippi to become Oprah Winfrey (insert Oprah quote "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.") Is it just me or do the risk takers seem happier, more stable and sure of themselves?

I get it, I don't have a spouse, I don't have kids, go ahead throw in some more excuses....what I do have is an ever present voice reminding me that life is a gift and I shouldn't waste it on a fear of what could go wrong but on what could go right.