The Portal

The portal is only open for a few moments at a time.

The perfect show, the perfect artist, playing the perfect songs in the perfect way and the light hits juuuust right, and at the perfect moment…the portal opens.

A new dimension appears. The dimension that we hope is always there but never seems to be accessible. Until it is. And for a second or two we get to ride the heavenly wave.

And then it’s gone.

We want it to last longer but we know it won’t. We try to manufacture it but we can’t.

It’s there and then it’s gone.

We engage with music for that moment, and also for the longing of that moment. We love both parts.

Teenagers, middle agers and geezers who do music all dance this dance.

Enciting wonder and depression. The heavenly wave and the demons on your back. Digging down deep and building up high.

We long to be in the portal. For just one more moment. The rush. The other-worldy.

You can search for it. It can find you.

But we know it’s there. So we keep going.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Will Do / Care For

The list of what we can do is very long

The list of what we will do is very short

The list of what we care about is very long

The list of what we care for is very short

The beautiful luxury is that you get to pick what goes on the short lists.

But the short lists are inherently short, so no turning them into long lists.


We get distracted by the long lists and belittle the short lists.

Or refuse to make our short list at all because we’re afraid.

The short lists are of utmost importance because ‘will do’ and ‘care for’ promote action in conjunction with the emotion and desire.

***Thanks for reminding me today, Jonas

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Study Time

If you only have 30 minutes of study time…there are two main types of people

Study your worst subject

or

study the most interesting subject.

It just depends on what you think studying is for.


It’s pretty easy to understand the metaphor and to pick the right answer.

But that’s not what the metaphor is for.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Shorten The Time Horizon

A really good way to become a pro at yearly goals isn’t to make more yearly goals.

A really good way to become a pro at yearly goals is to get good at weekly goals first.


Shorten the time horizon. Setting the goal, achieving the goal. Set, achieve, set, achieve. Get into a rhythm. Get accustomed to that experience.

You aren’t allowed to set yearly goals until you set and complete weekly goals.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Have Some Laughs

Just a quick recommendation as you roll into your weekend…

If you haven’t, check out Conan O’Brien’s podcast.

I consistently laugh at this podcast more than any other. And it’s the only podcast where the ads are just as entertaining as the main part.

***If you’re interested in getting to know me just a little bit better, check out the episode with Steven Colbert where they talk about suffering.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Still The Drummer

While the NFL draft is still going on right now here in Nashville, I bypassed downtown traffic and went to a show of a bunch of pretty new bands.

It’s been a while since I’ve done that so I was curious as to what would jump out.

Without fail…

The drummer makes, breaks or limits the show.

Everything else finds its place in reference to the drums.

You need an engine back there. A force. The captain of the ship.

***New bands do a lot of things like new bands would: amateur-ish and poorly. But what’s more fun is finding the things they stumble into doing really well, really pro. And there’s always something.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com