Happy Aloha Friday!
In their early 30’s, both Frank Zappa and Samuel Beckett were almost killed. Frank was pushed off stage by a jealous boyfriend (whose girlfriend was infatuated with Zappa) during a performance and suffered numerous fractures and a crushed larynx. Beckett was stabbed in the chest, in Paris, after refusing the solicitations of a pimp named Prudent. Zappa and Beckett seemed to be cut from the same cloth. The seriousness with which they took their work seemed juxtaposed to the absurdity of the work they produced. Both were passionate about their artform though oftentimes misunderstood during through lifetime. While Zappa played with sound, experimenting through improvisation and seemingly incomprehensible lyrics, Beckett toyed with themes of absurdity through his writing, leaving both somewhat misunderstood. I urge you to imbibe some Frank in the near future, maybe just start with this little ditty and then expand from there. For Beckett, if the spirit moves you, find time to read Waiting for Godot.
And, as we slink into the holiday weekend I wanted to share a valuable lesson I was recently reminded of by my son, Arlo. At the tender age of 3, Arlo, like all children, is an infinite being, only limited by his parents (and other adults), who, sadly, each day, echo the destructive and limiting phrase, “NO!” ad nauseum, trying to keep him from, well, everything. It was during the removal of every plastic baggy from their drawer and box, to the delight of his 1 year old brother, that he turned to me and said, “…because brother likes it!” Arlo saw the delight and laughter from his brother as he slipped each bag out and layered them about on the kitchen floor. He was doing it for, and celebrating his brother. Since that day, I have made it my mission to do, as my son did, and look for ways to celebrate those around me, albeit in less destructive fashion. And each time I do, once I have, to also turn inward and celebrate myself. A random act of kindness that serves as the reminder to vibrate with love and light, pulsate with love and light both outward and inward.
Happy Holidays! Mahalo Nui! Be safe and be merry, be joyous and kind.
