Live an Authentic Life

For an authentic life:

1. Hold true to your values, and always search for the truth.
2. Learn to forgive quickly. Forgive yourself and others.
3. Learn to be at peace, first with yourself then with your neighbour.
4. Value contentment over commodity, it’s about who you are not what you have.
5. Passion is great but compassion is greater.
6. Key to success in life is hard work.
7. In troubled times look to the things you have control of…attitude, hope, faith, and determination.
8. Be the best “you” you can be.
9. Every life is important, the world would be a lesser place without you in it. Remember that while there is breath there is hope.
10. Be generous with honest thanksgiving. Smile and say thanks to those who do ordinary things for you today.

Paul S Allen

The Wisdom of the Guitar

I am a guitarist and I play various styles of music from folk to rock to classical. I write my own music too, again in various genres.

(here is an example “Here In This Place” I played all the guitars and the mandolin, sang and looped the drums.  Also, I am a singer/song writer you can find more about me at Dunedinmusic.com or buy my music at Amplifier.co.nz ).

My Guitars - 1 electric, 2 steel string acoustic guitars one with alternative tuning, a classical guitar and a mandolin.

If I were to just rely on a single guitar which would I choose, and would I be able to play all the music I like.

As I was thinking about this this mirrors life in many ways. so here are some parallels  from the humble guitar.

1. There is more than one type of guitar.

You need to choose the write guitar for the purpose and sound you wish to achieve. The right tools will always make your tasks easier.

2. Make sure the guitar has the right number of strings.

Generally a guitar has 6 or 12 strings but some have 7 and bass guitars have usually 4, 5 or 6. Again the sound that you will make will depend on the number of strings your guitar has.

3. The guitar has to have all of the right components.

A guitar has a number of strings, a head to keep it tuned, a long neck, a body, a bridge to anchor the strings, but without a player the guitar will remain silent.

4.Guitars need the right amount of stress and tension to make a good tone.

We need the right amount of tension and stress in us to shine as a guitar needs tension and stress for it to make music. Too little and the guitar will not sound and too much and the guitar will break.

5. Keep it tuned and replace the stings from time to time.

Nothing worse than the sound of a badly tuned guitar or lifeless flat strings. Have a maintenance programme for yourself and your skills.

6. Unless it is played it will not make a sound.

Use your skills and abilities often.

7. The shape or type of guitar does not determine whether it produces good music, the player does.

Practice, practice, practice.

Paul S Allen

Details Matter In the Big Picture

Fine details are just as important as the big picture, the Mona Lisa was painted one brush stroke at a time.

Generosity: Mediocrity vs Excellence

Mediocrity to one person is excellence to another. It is not for us to judge the the other, especially if we do not know all of the circumstances of the other.

Excellence is doing the best with what you have, it is about doing all you can with the little you have no matter how small your resources are, where as mediocrity lies in the hands of those who have much but do little with it.

With riches comes responsibility, if we have the ability to help and do not are we any different from those tyrants and kings who oppress the poor?

Don’t be fooled into how much other people are able to contribute, work out for yourself what is appropriate in your situation. If you can write a cheque for millions of dollars, great do so; but if you can spare only a single dollar great do so. For many people the gift they give from the little they have is excellence, and for some the millions they give is mediocrity. There should never be any guilt associated with the amount of donations or works of volunteer service people can offer.

If all you can spare is a smile, give it generously… that is excellence.

Paul S Allen

A Successful Life

A successful life is not one without difficulties but one that faces them head on determined to overcome.