Recently Victor Wooten was in town playing at Yoshi’s with Pianist Chick Corea, drummer Dave Weckl and guitarist Frank Gambale. We invited Victor to come to my music school Starland in Alameda to teach bass lessons.

This being human is a guest house

Every morning a new arrival –

A joy, a depression, a meanness –

Some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all

Even if they are a crown of sorrows

Who violently sweep your house

empty of it’s comforts.

Still, treat each guest honorably

He may be cleaning you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice –

Meet them at he door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes

For each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

– Rumi

My favorite bible passage:

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

he movie “The Secret” as been a real inspiration to me. I first saw it at a Jack Canfield training before release, and have watched it several times since. I’m happy that it has made some of the world’s inspiring teachers better known to the general public like Jack Canfield, Mike Dooley, Joe Vitale, John Assaraf, Bill Harris and Bob Proctor.

My brother In-Law (and friend) has a brain tumor and is currently in hospice. With my sister’s permission I’d like to share an except from her CaringBridge journal. I found it very uplifting in the face of this very difficult time, and thought it may provide inspiration for others.

- - - - - -

We are simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all over the globe. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your warm wishes, prayers, and great memories. I’ve been asked by many what more you can do to help. Your messages have done so much to brighten Don’s days - they are more valuable than anything else you could do or send. That said, we did come up with a few more ways you can help:

- Hug your wife/husband/significant other and tell them you love them. Do it often. You never want to think you missed an opportunity if it becomes too late.

- Hug your kids and tell them you love them. Even if they say “ewww”. They will remember it always.

- Cherish your friends. Stay in touch as much as possible. Friendships are priceless and have no expiration date. Even if many years have passed, they will be there when you need them.

- Appreciate every day. You truly never know when things will change.

- Don’t put off those great fun things you’ve been planning to do. If you can take that vacation now - do it! And take lots of pictures so you can look at them later and remember what a great time you had.

- Pet the dog. There’s just something about dogs that make you happy.

Don and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on July 24 and used the opportunity to reflect on how lucky we really have been - wonderful marriage, incredible children, unbelievable friends and family, fun jobs and funny dogs. We count all of you as part of our good fortune. Write soon!

Susan

Just returned last week from a Training/Seminar with Jack Canfield. It was a wonderful experience. I played for morning Yoga classes led by Peggy Cappy (Yoga for the Rest of Us), met many wonderful people and got a chance to play with Fred Johnson on the stage for the entire group of 400. Fred is an incredibly talented and inspired vocalist, improviser, percussionist, song leader.

I read this poem this morning. I can’t say what being famous is like from experience, but I imagine it’s hard to separate out what makes one happy and what gets in the way when you try to please a lot of people - like a golden cage. I’m not against being famous or famous people. I’m curious what others think about this poem.

TWO BEARS

Once

After a hard days forage

Two bears sat together in silence

On a beautiful vista

Watching the sun go down

And feeling deeply grateful

For life.

Though, after a while

A thought-provoking conversation began

Which turned to the topic of

Fame.

The one bear said,

“Did you hear about Rustam?

He has become famous

And travels from city to city

In a golden cage;

He performs to hundreds of people

Who laugh and applaud

his carnival

Stunts.”

The other bear thought for

A few seconds

Then started

Weeping.

- Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky)