On a plane somewhere between Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN & Nashville, TN:
After six weeks “off” (and by off, I mean not traveling to any shows but doing the minimal amount of work each day to lay the groundwork for our next round of shows), I am returning home from two shows. Despite a bit of rustiness from not doing this for the last month and a half and a couple of hiccups that I’ll try not to obsess over (until the next one takes their place) – I’m really happy to be at it again. I’m not really good with time off (which is why I spent the entire month of June working on the Thistle Farms’ 10 Year Anniversary campaign), but I know I need the balance to maintain a healthy work life. And though having too much time to think may be the death of me, I’ve learned that if I bury myself in work, the same issues will still be waiting for me, so I might as well face them now. So, I’m grateful for the time off (as painful as some moments have been) and really blessed to have a job I love, that gets me out of my house and into the world where I am needed and useful and have a purpose.
My mom reminds me of a phone call I made to her one day, back in the early early days of touring life, where I called her and said something like “I can’t believe this is my life - I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing and couldn’t be happier.” 13 years later, I’m more traveled and tired and have seen the dark side of the road and relationships. I can understand how the naïve and hopeful me was feeling, but I would love to pat her on the head and give her a sympathetic warning, "just wait... ." But even through my cynicism, I can still say I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing and couldn't imagine it any other way.
Just remind me of this bliss when I'm stuck in between airports next month.