Adventure over comfort....

I don't know about you, but I've always been the kind of person that asks 'Why not'? an awful lot!

Let me explain...

I don't know about you, but I've always been the kind of person that asks 'Why not'? an awful lot!

Let me explain...

If I am told that I can't do something, this makes me more determined to do it! If I am told that something is just a pipe dream, well I'm going to pursue it anyway! Maybe I'm just stubborn to the core, a risk taker, tenacious, or maybe I'm just a little bit crazy! But nevertheless, I don't believe we should ever limit ourselves by what others think. Not everyone will have the same passion as you, the same zeal, the same drive, and that's ok. Not everyone will understand you when you choose a life of adventure over a life of comfort, that's ok too. Not everyone will walk your journey with you, walk it anyway. When I am told that something is not possible, with no explanation given, I choose to reject that notion and discover the truth for myself. When I am told I can't do something, I will always ask 'Why not'?, and 9 times out of 10 that will remain an unanswered question.

So, how does this apply to music and the arts.....

Well, the day I decided to pursue music full-time was probably the scariest moment in my life. Someone once told me that if you're not in your dream job, then quit! Easier said than done when you have mouths to feed, and bills to pay! But how often is it that money seems to stop us pursuing our dreams? I decided that nothing was going to stop me anymore. So, I left my job with nothing to go to. It was now or never. But the voices, oh the voices..... "What are you doing?", "How are you going to survive"?, "I'm really worried about you"?

The funny thing is, we'd (my wife and I) asked ourselves these questions long before we made the decision. We knew we were taking a big risk, we knew it wouldn't be easy. But, we also knew we only have one life on this earth, and we didn't want to spend it being caught up in the rat race and pointless pursuits any longer. We wanted to live for something bigger, something more exciting. We wanted our kids to have parents who show them what it means to pursue your dream, against the odds.

This was nearly two years ago.....and now.....I'm busier than I've ever been.....

Everyday is so different! The opportunities that I have been given to use music and the arts to encourage and lift people, to inspire faith, hope, joy, a simple smile. To create new music, new sounds, to meet new people, from all walks of life. Coffee shops, Children's Homes, hospitals, schools, churches, all around the country. I am now able to see first hand, the difference music makes to people's lives. It is an honour and a privilege to have a hand in this. To see lives lifted through the arts is something I would never have experienced this fully had I remained in my life of comfort. I had to step out, we had to make a bold decision. 

I was recently at a secondary school with a group of teenagers who all want to pursue music as a career. It was wonderful to be able to encourage them to not limit themselves, to believe that anything is possible, and if this is their dream to pursue it with all they've got. It's an adventure and it's totally worth it.

I am grateful for all the people I have met, and continue to meet on this journey. Thankful for the opportunity to grow, to learn, to change my perspectives as I meet new people. Grateful for the power of music to move us so deeply. Thankful to my wife and family for walking this road with me, and thankful to my God for giving me life, that I may experience this adventure with his blessing.