2017: Living Simply in the Here and Now

Happy new year, friends! I hope 2017 is off to a great start for you. I haven’t written yet this year because 2017 has gotten off to a crazy busy start. I am not at all complaining, though, as there are few things I love more than playing big shows with talented musicians and sharing my songs with listeners. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks, and in this industry, whirlwinds are a sign that things are going well. I feel quite blessed to be able to say that yes, things are going better than well.

I added the picture above because it represents two approaches to life that I plan to take in 2017. I hope you will too. You’ll notice that there isn’t a whole lot of “stuff” in the picture. This was on purpose. This year, I want to live a simplified life.

I am intent on getting rid of the things that are not absolutely necessary to the happiness, success, and wellbeing of me, my loved ones, and my career. I am convinced that we spend so much time and energy on the things that simply do not matter, often at the expense of the things and people that do.

This desire to get rid of excess not only applies to material things, it also pertains to some of the heavy mental baggage that can weigh us down and keep us from moving forward. That brings me to the second element of the image that I want to focus on. I am particularly fond of this picture because I am looking ahead.

One of my big goals for 2017 is to stop dwelling on the past. What’s done is done, and all we have left is today and whatever future we’re fortunate enough to enjoy. Onward and upward, as they say.

There’s a lot to learn from the past, but sometimes we get stuck in it. This year, I want to positively impact my future by fully embracing today. If there’s one thing the past has taught me, it is that our futures are shaped by the decisions we make today. Right now is a product of way back when – for better or for worse. That is both an incredibly sobering and inspiring thought.

With an eye toward the future and a big, warm embrace of who and what is important in the here and now, I hope you’ll join me as we make 2017 our best year yet.