Fear Of The Future? January 27, 2009

"It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear."

After training my clients last night (Mondays are my longest day), I was working on the computer and started thinking. I had hit the wall regarding productivity and opted to shut it down for the night. My brain was a little scrambled so it was time to decompress. I took a warm shower, finished a glass of wine, reviewed the next day's schedule, and up to bed I went.

I am flipping through the channels, and the movie "Almost Famous" was on. It always make me laugh, and as I have seen it a number of times, normally can put me to sleep. The movie describes the role of a teenager played by Patrick Fugit, who has the opportunity, through a little bit of luck and even more hope, to write for Rolling Stone magazine, covering an up and coming rock band by the name of Stillwater. It is portrayed in the late '60s, going through 1973, the year I was born. Fugit is trying to act like an adult, though he is 15/16 years old, and living the life of a rock star. The band is dealing with "growing pains" so to speak, of getting their music out there, while dealing with fame, fortune, and the debauchery of life on the road. Vocalist and guitarist, played by Jason Lee and Billy Crudup respectively are at odds on who is the heart and soul of the band. Crudup plays Russell Hammond, the quintessential rock start playing guitar and living the life. There are 3 consecutive scenes that cover Crudup wanting to get back to basics with the "real fans", find them accordingly in Topeka, Kansas,and in turn partying with all of them after a random invite from the locals, then crashing down to the reality that the band is not happy with his behavior as he has gone missing. Fast forward to Crudup ingesting LSD, climbing to the top of the house and jumping off into the backyard pool. As the party winds down, Crudup sipping from a bottle of Jack Daniels, the band bus pulls up, and the aspiring teenage writer and the band's manager whisk him to the bus. At this low, low, low point there is silence on the bus, everyone at their wit's end. If the movie ended here, two thumbs down. The song "Tiny Dancer" comes on by Elton John. As the music plays with everyone silent and angry, one by one, the band members, roadies, groupies and everyone else begins to join in and sing along. After researching, the song was written by Elton John and his writing partner Bernie Taupin, and referred to Maxine Feibelman, Taupin's girlfriend who spent time with the band while traveling on their early tours. She reached out and did everything from sewing costumes to the necessities of the band that were needed to keep them together through the rough times. So as the tour bus rolls out of Topeka, Kansas, the chorus gets louder until everyone is in unison. It is a touching scene that shows even when times are at their worst, you can stop and think about what makes you grind it out and and makes things happen. Towards the end of the scene, Fugit says to "Penny Lane"' played by Kate Hudson, portrayed as a fixture groupie though caring fan, "I have to get home." She replies "You are home." Every one of us has the occasional inner conflict regarding where we call home. Not the structure that keeps the rain and snow off our backs, but rather the surroundings we choose, the company we keep, the social and business circle to our left and right, and those we choose to protect and care for. We often reach out to people that may not be there for the right reasons when we need it most, or those or never seem to come through. Evaluate carefully, and please don't cut out half your life either. Just reevaluate those who bring out the greatness in you.


In closing, give as much as you can to those who without question can and will do the same for you as the future is a long road ahead. Until next time.....