Making Time Stand Still

I once had a fine reputation. But it was all wrapped up in so many obligations.

Those lines came to me one morning while I was thinking about how much of my life had been spent chasing approval — from institutions, mentors, friends, family, and colleagues. At some point, I realized I’d been carrying a heavy load that wasn’t mine anymore. So, I let it fall somewhere beside the road.

I don’t miss it at all.

There’s a strange kind of freedom that comes when you stop trying to hold everything together. Or care anymore about expectations… your own or the ones others design for you. I can sense this freedom now in the songs I am writing. I have a target audience in mind… and a sound, a very organic and uncomplicated sound that helps to carry these philosophical musings of mine about life, love, hope, faith, joy, and pain.

These days, I’m learning to find treasure in the ordinary — the contagious laugh of my best friend, a good cup of ‘real’ tea (from leaves, not tea bags, thank you very much), and those quirky a new song ideas that seem to fall out of nowhere… usually after I play a wrong chord or misspell a word. I don’t need much to feel rich.

I am, I admit, a work in progress. I don’t always know where I’m going or care too much about where I’ve come from. What matters most is that feeling of belonging - loving, and being loved even in the midst of all our humanness.

Hope the song resonates with you today too.

Cheers,

Chris