By Scott Coner
Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer and Author
It’s
funny how life goes. We grow up with all of these plans, but somehow plans
change, and we end up all too often getting frozen in time in some little town.
The idea of change is exciting, but usually just seems impossible. Even though
we know there is more for us just beyond the horizon, most of the time we just
settle for the hand we were dealt and live through it until our heart finally
stops beating. Until that day finally arrives, we watch the news, read the
paper, and allow the moss to grow over our hopes and dreams. The thing is, it
doesn’t have to be this way for most of us. We all have a rip -cord, but it
only works if it’s pulled with attitude.
I have a friend named
Dave that, just like me, grew up on the same road nearly all of his life in a
little town in Indiana. I think his communities only real claim to fame may be
James Whitcomb Reilly hanging around there about one hundred years or so ago.
(Since then, not a lot of big news from that part of the world.) Dave was a
good kid growing up. He minded his mom and dad, he only went where he was
supposed to go, and did what he was supposed to. And he was slowly losing his
mind to boredom. The problem was, I think, Dave was the youngest kid in the
family and after all of his siblings were gone, his parents needed him around
the house. He was frozen. It wasn’t his parent’s fault, it wasn’t Dave’s fault
either, but that’s pretty much the way it was.
Dave’s mother had
progressively gotten in worse and worse health until one day she couldn’t hang
on any longer. His family drew together and dealt with it like most solid
families in the area and those storm clouds slowly went away. The pain
subsided, but there was still a big hole in Dave’s life. He had to make a move.
I was with him when he made up his mind. He and I were walking in
downtown Ft. Meyers, Florida one night when he decided to leave the little farm
town and try for something different. He knew if he didn’t jump soon, the
window would pretty much be closed to him forever. About a month or so later,
he got in his car and moved to Florida.
(Scott Coner singing REO Speedways Son of a Poor Man)
I tell this story
for a simple reason. This is just one example of a man that saw fit to change
his life around. He decided it would be better to take a chance on something
new rather than to stay locked in one position for the rest of his days. Where
are you at today? Are you happy with your world? Do you stand at the sink
sometimes and wish you were a million miles away from where you stand? Do you
feel like your days are wasting away along with your own soul? As I have said
many times, there are different versions of our original dreams. No doubt these
dreams change a bit, as we get a little older. But they are still our God
-given dreams. I hope you will be like my friend Dave and get in your car and
drive towards the sun. You only have one life and God Himself put that dream in
your heart.
Dave needed a
change of scenery. His heart belonged in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals. I know
your purpose is probably different. It doesn’t matter at all. My dream was
music and writing. I made some changes, and here I am. Don’t waste too many
heartbeats. The one’s you love will understand and support your decision. It may
be a bit of a shock to them, but they will come around. It will do their hearts
good to see you happily perusing your dreams. It’s all up to you so be sure to
set a good example.
(Beach view of Sanibel Island. Courtesy of Cynnamae Productions)
You
know, I don’t know if there is a formula that we all get to use to reduce the
risks involved when chasing our purpose. If there is, I sure didn’t know about
it. I think maybe instead, we just have to walk out on the wire and do our
best. These dreams we’re talking about usually only come together if we are
willing to put some serious skin in the game. We have to allow ourselves to be
hurt. We have to accept the potential failures that will surely come our way as
we take this new path that is far less traveled by the pack. I for one, have
been beaten, battered, stolen from, lied to, and embarrassed by the lovely
“managers” around Nashville, Tennessee. The thing is, you just have to wipe the
blood off and figure out what lesson was learned. You don’t quit. Ever. If you
can hang in there, you will eventually find your footing. Just remember your
dream. It’s not about financial rewards. It’s about doing what was put in your
heart while you were still in the womb. The passion that this kind of dream
brings can’t be bought. It’s in your DNA, and that’s all that there is to it. Go
out there and do your best. We are waiting to hear your story!
We are waiting to hear your story!
Keep in touch!
Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page.
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