Find The One

One of the hardest, most demanding and courageous areas any musician can explore is the zone known as the jam. Jazz notwithstanding, the exploration of musical space requires a deep instrument competency and a complete willingness to experiment. It is scary out there with no road maps, sheets of music or the security of structure. You gotta have some chops and ample faith in your tribe. It was quoted of the Dead back at the start of the progressive jam band days, that when one wondered, with sincerity and respect, where the one was, the one being the starting chord in the chosen key scale (normally I, IV, V in rock), that the 'correct' answer, the musical response, was ‘wherever you want it to be.’ A perfect jumping-off point in the study of chaos music theory. 

Pondering the value and validity of the Ten Day Intensive (TDI) yesterday, a lyric came to mind. 'The first days are the hardest days, don’t you worry anymore.’ Somehow, hearing magic in the music, it became apparent that this is a common theme, known to multitudes and not the sole dominion if Uncle John. ‘Cause when life looks like easy street there is danger at your door.’ 

It is the same ominous warning we hear once we decide to act, but have yet to take that adventurous initial step in the direction of our dream. We all know how this must be done. We all recognize that to get anywhere we must move our feet. Time and experience have shown us that the hardest part is in getting to the one. One step. One day. One at a time. The One. Getting to the one. 

Because without it there can be no two. 

It is the same with deciding to up your physical fitness, become a stronger athlete, write a screenplay, climb a mountain or skin a goat. 

One must:

•  Look deeply inward and establish the goal.
•  Decide to commit.
•  Begin.
•  Keep going.

Find the one. Start. Get one day in the books. It builds courage and strength. It reinforces your self assessment. It simultaneously pats you softlyon the back as it kicks you squarely in the butt. It offers huge rewards in support of your mind, body and spirit. It does all this in real time, here now, wherever you are. 

If you are dealing with an addiction it will be the hardest thing you will ever do. You must prove to yourself that there is something better and immediately available to you should you desire it. Available, but at all cost and no matter what. 

It was most reassuring this morning, after a particularly gnarly get of hill repeats in spin class, that here, today, DAY ONE, I was down a pair of pounds. It works. 

I can now set sights on Day 2.