Elizabeth's Thoughts
Inspirational, Music Blog
Elizabeth Geyer May 2009
I was playing the piano, and suddenly there was a drunken sailor in uniform right behind me. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it's true. He was propped up by the stair banister in a sort of trance, staring at the piano keys, although I'm not sure if he was seeing anything. For a long time he was just there, and then out of the blue he said (slurred) two incredibly nice things - "thank you, you made my night less s***" - pure poetry! - and "the fire still burns in you." I was very touched by that. He then gave me a very generous tip, so the least I could do was give him a CD. I think I sort of pushed it upon him, because he looked totally confused. I was smiling, because I had this funny image of the CD lying in a pool of beer in some empty bar somewhere an hour's time, at the bottom of a dripping bin bag with all the old napkins and upturned ashtrays.
But I was wrong, he took it home, and must have shown it to his friend, who wrote to me yesterday to say he was borrowing it. I keep finding out over and over that it is true that nothing is ever insignificant or wasted, and also that everything and everybody happens for a reason.
Last Month: Financial Insecurity Can Not Diminish Who We Are
by Musician Elizabeth Geyer
April 2009
Many of us are facing financial insecurity right now, and that can be terrifying, especially if it alters the way we live. But it can never diminish who we are.
As a musician and someone who is chasing a dream, insecurity is such way of life it might be the only thing I can truly count on Musicians are paid to perform but there is no salary, no benefits, pay rises, superannuation or sick leave. I never know when I will work again and live on faith because often faith is all there is.
But that is not a bad thing. This life teaches me so much. It's a life where who you are is more important than what you have. There is nowhere to hide, no props, just you. It forces you to grow to be resourceful, extra creative and to find happiness in less obvious places. It has also kept me in touch with adventure, a sort of freedom, that maybe not everyone is exposed to.
The greatest luxury I have found is time - to just be and create and explore and really listen to what people are saying.
It is also impossible to judge or look down upon anyone. It is obvious that everyone is on their own path. But also, we are all connected. Nobody is a stranger... nobody is superior or inferior to anyone else.
There is a hunger too. The hunger is passion, and I've learned to be very grateful for it. It is the thing that keeps us truly alive, inspired, and growing. It keeps us from becoming dull and it allows us to be forever young. In a strange way, it's a bit like being a teenager, the excitement and uncertainty of the future, but with all the romance and possibility that goes with that too.
Sometimes, when people get too comfortable, they can lose that hunger. One of the places I perform is an upscale hotel where the clientele are successful, wealthy, often lonely businessmen. In many of those men the fire has gone out .. their faces have gone grey like their suits. I really love to play for them, for music can touch people; even re-ignite the flame sometimes.
I enjoy money but never take simple luxuries for granted, such as good coffee in a cafe. Saving a home deposit with money earned from playing little gigs probably felt better than if I could have easily afforded
it.
Money is a blessing and it rewards our dreams. But we don't need very much at all to be truly happy. Our faith, love, imagination, passion and purpose will weather every storm and they don't cost a cent.
About Elizabeth Geyer: Read all about Elizabeth Geyer, listen to her music, and get details about her life and music.