Friday Pilgrim

“I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.” ― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Guest blogger this Friday comes from my son Joe of Denver, Colorado. He loves music and no surprise today is all about one of his favorite artists. So sit back, listen and enjoy this lazy Friday afternoon.

And stay inspired my friends.

pil·grim ˈpilɡrəm/
noun
1. a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
synonyms: worshiper, devotee, believer
verb
1. travel or wander like a pilgrim.

Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, GA. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. Michael Houser and George McConnell have also played lead guitar for the band.

Since their inception in Athens, GA in 1986, Widespread Panic has risen to elite status among American jam bands. Following in the steps of other Southern rock jam bands such as The Allman Brothers, they have influences from the Southern rock, blues-rock, progressive rock, funk and hard rock genres.

They are frequently compared to other jam band "road warriors" such as the Grateful Dead and Phish. Widely renowned for their live performances, as of 2013, they hold the record for number of sold out performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO at 48 and Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA at 20.

Michael Houser was a founding member of the band and played lead guitar. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on August 10th, 2002. He will be forever remembered as the defining guitar sound and transitional genius for Widespread Panic.

www.widespreadpanic.com

Walking For A Cause

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Our son Jonathan has Crohns Disease and works every day to live a normal life. For over ten years he has dealt with this condition and has still succeeded in making it through high school, college and graduate school.

On May 7th, he takes a step in raising money to help combat this illness.

Will you help me me reach my goal in helping us raise some needed research dollars!

This year, I will be walking in the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Take Steps is CCFA's national walk the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. It is a casual 2-3 mile stroll to raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Over 1.6 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases. While many suffer in silence, Take Steps brings this community together in a fun, energetic and supportive atmosphere.

Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects.

This cause is very close to me and I appreciate your help as we fight for cures!

In addition to donating, you can join me at the event. There will be food, music and family activities. The more money we raise, the closer we will be to making life more manageable for patients who live with these diseases every day.

Please join me or donate in my efforts to support CCFA in finding cures!

Stay inspired my friends!

Run, Buddy, Run

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” ― Dean Karnazes

What do you do when the mob is after you? What if all the toils and troubles of life seem to be gaining the upper hand on you?

Run, Buddy, Run.

Keep moving, keep pressing forward in life and eventually those troubles will fade into the past. But you have to keep running.

Now that is advice we can all use.

Stay inspired my friends.

Love The Color Of It All

"Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed." - Cavett Robert

A friend from Cork City, Ireland sent me the following video which was perfect timing some years back.

To see the faces of people as the excitement rushed through the crowd was quite thrilling. My wife and I have been on this same city shopping street in large crowds. Many times it is the usual passing of people trying their best to shop and enjoy a crowded Saturday.

What can happen among thousands of strangers?

An excitement of something bigger then one self and the enjoyment of just living. While the video ends and the Saturday shopping crowds go on about their business, for a moment a different possibility existed. We then go back to our normal movement from shop to shop, completing our unfinished business but maybe with a bigger smile in our heart.

The group Bell X1 sings, "I love the color of it all." Each of us can love the color of life around us and carry that excitement within us.

You might be surprised how much your heart can carry once you begin to fill it.

Stay inspired my friends!