Giving up the gun

In my attempts to improve my articulation and story-telling skills, I stated previously that I would blog more. So, here you go!

I have been thinking about the song 'giving up the gun' by Vampire Weekend a lot lately.  I think the song greatly parallels how my January went down.  The chorus goes something like:

Your sword’s grown old and rusty
Burnt beneath the rising sun
It’s locked up like a trophy
Forgetting all the things it’s done

And though it’s been a long time
You’re right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes
That now you’re giving up the gun

The song is inspired by a book called Giving up the Gun, which is about a movement in Japanese military to revert back from gun usage to sword usage (think the last Samurai).  The point of the song, according to Koenig, explores whether it is feasible or imaginable that people could give up the things they have and go back to a simpler way of life.

While I think that is a great question, it lead me to think about not just whether I could go back to a simpler m.o,, but whether, when coming back full circle, I could recognize and appreciate from an alternative standpoint, where I am. 

The people I encountered in the contract position were so broken down and dejected, and trying so hard to be something that they probably are not meant to be, but told what they should probably aspire to be, that they were just messes.  It's like they were a bunch of square pegs trying to fit in round holes.  It was sad.  It made me not want to chisel the pegs, but break down the round holes and make them more square-like.

I then remembered that my path is okay for ME, and I am where I am supposed to be right now. It's funny how sometimes it takes intentionally and clearly stepping off of your path to remember that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

The contract did not last long.  My availability waned quickly during my time there because my business in Lansing picked up, and I could not pass on these opportunities. This month has been absolutely explosive since.   I abhorred the work I did in Kzoo but I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to see that sometimes the thing you think is the great new big thing you are supposed to do, is not necessarily the right answer, and if you bring it back around to center and accept your path, you will grow exponentially.

It's amazing how productive you can be when you are candid with yourself and accept the way you feel about things.