Let me start off by saying Happy New Year to you. Now, for this post I will be reflective on what 2013 has been like for me. It ain’t going to be long, but for those readers, if there are any, here is what my 2013 was for me, and I will sum them up in 3 topical areas of my life.
Health
Most of you guys who follow me on FB and twitter or know me in person, would know that I was on a journey of weight lost. In 2013, it has slowly has been less of running and focus on this, due to my busy schedule with a lot of things that was happening in my life. I have not gave up entirely, but finished off the few marathons that I’ve managed to complete.
To be blunt about it. I have definitely lost interest in running. It has became more of a chore and something that I really disliked doing. I guess it was also cause for the runs that I have committed, I’ve not placed in the time to train and work towards them.
Health is definitely something that I am looking forward to working on, perhaps another alternative. From experience, and my time in 2013, I have not actually been over eating or eating very unhealthily, but cause almost a whole day during the weekday and weekend, I’ve been so busy on other things, that most of the time I would be sitting down working, writing music, and communicating, rather than having the time for a workout. I realize from all this, I become tired and running makes me feel even more lethargic, definitely the same passion and drive is gone from 2012, when I was so gungho to run and results did came in. Alternatives would definitely need to be in place.
Hopefully 2014 will be a year of change and a new perspective for me.
Serving in music for God
You could say that I was living a peaceful life in terms of buying and GASSING (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) for new pedals and music related equipment. Since leaving my previous band, I have been busy recording and working on a couple of shows for the release of my band, Reach For The Skies EP release : Aviaries for early 2014 and I was happy with the gear I was having, till my style and sound has altered more.
I have always been the ambient filler kind of electric guitarists and using a lot of effects to create the mood of the songs. Over time, I have grown to play cleaner, less saturated and less effects and enjoyed more tone off the guitar and amps. Thus, my existing board of pedals do not cater to some of my current style of playing. I was definitely blessed to have advise from friends and met new people who were able to shed some light into gear.
From swapping in and out of different gears and what I see, gear is something personal and something that one would adjust to custom the wielder’s own sound, there are a lot of marketing involved that hypes up trendy pedals. Yes they are good, but in the end, do not secum to those, you may regret if it does not fit your music. I even find some of the older stuff better too!
I also find myself serving more in Church in the sense, of “more” meaning, really delving into worshipping God. Perhaps through my times of trial through out 2013, this has definitely something that desired to do. To focus on God, to play more meaningfully to the service and congregation, as the worship team’s place is to usher God’s presence and lead in praise and worship. And I find myself lost in His presence at most of this time in 2013, ever in my life, not just through my band, Church, but also in my personal life. I needed the focus and I went through it with God. It was awesome.
Hopefully to even more time spent on serving God with writing and serving in music for God.
Career
Its been a busy year, rolling from 2012 to 2013, from various challenges that I faced, that kept me busy around the clock in the office till I felt that there has to be more to life than just work. I guess there were various factors coming in, but it got me overwhelmed at one point that life meant more than just work, coming home at a late hour till I only get to see my family on a Sunday night for dinner and the rest of the week, I would come home when the lights were out and the last to leave home for work on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong, I love advertising, I carry that passion since college, to work and till today, no regrets and am thankful for every learning experience, up and the downs as they have made me stronger and better. I am definitely doing that at my new work place that I thank God for, and awesome new learning opportunities that I am undertaking, and I pray for more growth.
To more days of joy, happiness, growth, opportunities, Godly decisions and wisdom with friends, family and God in 2014, I pray.
Walking in My Shoes... 