My Lori & I were invited to spend a few days with friends at their cabin in the woods. Mountain Air. Limited Internet. No TV. The Nearest Restaurant 40 Minutes Away. Great Walking Trails. The Music of Nature.
It wasn't the best time to interrupt my scheduled as I have a severe September 1st deadline looming for three songs, radio ready. I had already taken two weeks off from my position as Associate Pastor to make sure there would be no distractions, other than the much needed time to reconnect with Lori & the girls, in between their schedules. But that look in my wife's eyes told me we needed to further separate my attention away from Reason 9.5 & Sonar Platinum. Her subsequent glare meant "don't even think about bringing anything that resembled working on those tracks..." I was allowed to bring a book and I chose "Shining Star," the autobiography of EWF's Phillip Bailey.
I must admit, the musicalholic in me struggled the first day. I had trouble tearing myself away from knowing I had a firm deadline to meet and had 'chosen' to do nothing for three full days. Even as gorgeous as my wife is and as amazing as the grilled salmon and steaks Chip & Bobbette prepared for us were, my mind ventured. But the blessing of a great night's sleep without the aid of my 4:30am alarm allowed me to awake refreshed. My morning prayer walk refocused my attention on who I was & why my God created me and not on what I Do. Other than an occasional check in with my daughters, I eschewed my phone and concentrated on my woman, shared laughter & tears with our friends and reconnected with what matters most.
Yesterday was serene and sedate. Reading. Chilling. Conversation. Contemplation. No Music. Not even enroute to Luigi's Italion Ristorante, where the lasagna was from another planet. The evening was calm and quiet, the temperature perfect for reading and reflecting. It's been some time since I tossed aside my To Do List and let the clock tick away.
Today, I will arrive back in the city ready for a 6:30pm recording session at Listen Studios relaxed, reformed, completely unshaven and ready to plow ahead with a far more peaceful spirit. It's amazing what a short respite can simultaneously add and remove from your life. Next Week will be my second week off, but final week to complete this project, which will get done, on time and with a smile.
God Bless My Beautiful Wife for Making Me Stop. God Bless Chip & Bobbette for Providing Us a Place to Chillax!