So where am I going? The answer is I’m heading north for a week to Petoskey, MI. It’s truly one of my favorite cities and one showroom for what I think the “Pure Michigan” campaign embraces. So cheers to the countdown. I’m really excited and I’m sure if you’re reading you know what it feels like as well. It’s kind of like being a kid that week before summer vacation. I love how those feelings stay consistent as we grow up. For some reason maybe I thought they would fade away, but I’ve been proved wrong and I’ll gladly admit it. It’s a beautiful thing.

To learn more about Petoskey, you can visit there web site, here.

SDG

In short here’s a few quotes that I’ve earmarked in the book itself and a link if you’re interested in checking things out further.

“How might your life be different with a handful of different choices?”
“When faced with an important decision, ask yourself, “In Light of where I’ve been, where I am today, and who I intend to become in the future, what is the wise thing to in this situation?”
“When you have a deep sense of purpose of mission, you live from the inside out. This means who you are triggers what you do.”

Success Is Not An Accident – Amazon Bookstore

So I did just that. Long day of work, came home and opened up the house for a few hours of a wonderful breezy afternoon. All I heard were the kids making friends, dogs barking, and lots of outdoor activity. I ran a few errands and it’s really cool to notice people and their facial expressions when this contrasting weather hits. We’re all so much happier. The other side of that coin is I also am growing fonder and fonder of Michigan. Having lived here all my life, it’s a completely beautiful state, but I think I only fully appreciate now that I’ve done some traveling and get to see it in contrast. One of my favorite movies, Vanilla Sky, has that appropriate quote “The sweet ain’t as sweet without the sour.” I couldn’t say it any better than that…so I won’t even try.

Maybe all of this is just another step forward in gaining a bit of life balance? Which reminds me of a nice read from the Herman Miller Lifework Blog. Amy Freezor writes a nice piece talking about What’s Outside Your Window and why we stare out of it a bit more as Spring approaches.

Check out her Blog over at the Herman Miller site.
What’s Outside Your Window

SDG

Check out the reading and decide for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/7puvor4

I enjoy the quiet chill dinners just as much as a situation that could even remotely be bragged about. All in all, on my Birthday I feel extremely lucky. I feel lucky to be blessed with my life and talents, and for all the people I’ve got to hug, high five, write music with, get advice from, say goodbye to, not say goodbye to, text, embarrass, laugh with, and…well you get the point.

I got a great text tonight from a friend with some instructions for taking in things today. Yes, I am lucky enough with the above but it’s also Friday. Friday Birthdays are the best. I will be a touch selfish in my own mind. I will take my time driving everywhere. I will get a coffee from The French Laundry (even if I’m late to work). I will take someone up on the Birthday lunch offer. I will finish the day doing the one thing my heart loves most (so far in life) making music in the studio with a few great friends. A man can’t ask for much more, and if I had the chance…I wouldn’t ask for anything else.

SDG

As a good friend had shared with me, remove emotion from the equation and try to see the truth in the criticism you receive. Hopefully looking back you’ll find it helped you grow and progress in your life. My two cents.

Why Being Wrong Makes Us Angry 

SDG

I believe part of the art of producing is learning about the individuals you’re working with and how they facilitate their own creative process. Of course it’s not always that simple. However, that to me is the most rewarded of challenges. When we get the final masters back, I know these guys will be extremely happy with what they have done and what we’ve done together. I’m even more excited about the fact that I feel like I’ve gained new friends in the process. That to me is what I want out of doing what I love. I want to work with honest people, that have a passion and drive within themselves to create music they love but at the same time will answer every text or call you throw at them. That to me is priceless.

If you’re interested in learning more you can follow No Resolve on Facebook and other social networks. Their single “Trust Me Not” has dropped and can be found on iTunes.

SDG

SDG