Embrace this…

This morning, one of my clients and I watched a couple great clips.  First we took in a little Bob Dylan.  We watched him find his voice through the “throwing up” that became the song, “Like a rolling stone.”  Next, we watched Johnny Cash find his…

Voice, that is.

Actually we watched the progression of Johnny’s discovery.  First, we observed a nervous Johnny getting his “big break” with Sam Phillips.  Next we checked out a stronger, more weathered version standing up to his second boss at Columbia Records.  Lastly, we watched him find his voice with June and with his Dad.  Very cool.

Here’s something you might not know.  These two artists shared the same boss, Columbia Records.  The record executives were telling Dylan to hurry and finish the album.  They were also telling him to go back to his roots and give his audience what they wanted…

Folk music.

These same executives were telling Johnny to stop doing what he had always done.  They were telling him that even Dylan had gone electric.  What the hell was he trying to prove, they screamed, when the whole world had moved on.  Are you kidding me?

Nope.

Johnny told them what they could do with the tapes and Dylan told ’em to turn up the organ player.  Here’s the really cool part.  Johnny went to his grave nearly blind, wheelchair bound, sick as a dog, and with a failing heart.  AND, still singing his song.  He had gotten such clarity that he could even sing songs written for another, and make it HIS. If you want some evidence, give a listen to one of his last recordings, the song is titled HURT and it was written by 9 inch nails.  Who knew?

Both artists had to struggle.  Both artists would have to fight with their boss.  Both artists took baby steps forward and fell hard on their builder’s journey.  Both artists would need the help of real friends along the way.  AND, both artists would have to cut through the noise and clangor of ideas and opportunities to find and pursue their OPUS.

Your builder’s journey will be no different.

Embrace the struggle, my friend.

Embrace the struggle…