The Next Post

A number of people have asked me, recently, why I have not posted anything in a while.  Simply put, I was waiting for something to say.  Also, quite frankly, I've been keeping busy rehearsing and now opening Everybody Loved Opal at Montgomery Theater.  Click the link to buy tickets!

I returned home tonight, threw in some laundry, watched the end of the wildly disappointing Eagles game and began thinking of what I could write to appease the pestering fans (not even close).  The first thing that came to mind was music.  More specifically, the transformative power of music.

I've always had a strong love for music; any music.  Be it country or classical, broadway or hip-hop; I've always felt a kinship with music since I was quite young.  Not long ago I stumbled upon an old mix CD in my car entitled, "Last Ride Home: 5-31-05."  I didn't take but a second to realize it was the CD I had made for my final ride home from the University of Scranton, my beloved alma mater.  Perhaps bravely, or perhaps naively, I popped in the CD not know what to expect.

In short order I took one helluva trip down nostalgia lane and found myself reliving the glory of college and longing for those amazing friends that were there throughout.  Now, there are a few things I do know:

1) everyone has the BEST group of friends
2) merely because it happened to you does not mean it is interesting
3) everyone went to the BEST college
4) everyone has different tastes in music

Bearing those things in mind, I offer you the playlist from the aforementioned CD.  Should you care to take a gander- good for you.  If you shouldn't- probably better for you.  At any rate, here is a small glimpse (through music) into where I was as a 21 year old college graduate on his way back to Huntingdon Valley.

1- This Is by Aslan
2- Rockin the Suburbs by Ben Folds
3- Desperately Wanting by Better Than Ezra
4- Waiting on a Sunny Day by Bruce Springsteen
5- Speed of Sound by Coldplay
6- Dreamgirl by DMB
7- One Sweet World by DMB
8- Seek Up by DMB
9- Big Eyed Fish by DMB
10-Kissing the Lipless by The Shins
11- Past and Pending by The Shins
12- Chariot by Gavin DeGraw

13- The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice

14- Cannonball by Damien Rice

15- Eyes Half Open by Juan Gutierrez
16- Somewhere Only We Know by Keane

Needless to say, I was clearly in a vulnerable place.

My point to this, though, is that even 6 years later listening to that music, I was taken right back to the person I was leaving college that May morning.  I immediately "re-felt" the longing, the sadness, the joy of friendships, the chaos of nightlife.  My memory was jogged in such an abrupt way that I had no choice- six years later in a different care- to become immediately more fully alive.  I was "awoken" to reference Anthony de Mello from my previous post.  And though it was shocking; though it was nostalgic; though it was difficult- I'll be damned if it wasn't spiritual and incredibly awesome.

I challenge you all to allow yourselves some vulnerability in your lives.  You leave yourselves open for hurt, sure, but you also may open yourselves up to an intense grace and happiness.  Go on- do it- I dare ya!