Reflections
e.e. cummings quote
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting”
(e.e. cummings)
Ironing
I love ironing. It’s the only situation in the world where you can take something that looks like shit and transform it into something wonderful in less than five minutes!
© 2011, Alan Morrison
Taking Crap from No One
My top New Year’s Resolution this year was to take crap from no one. If anyone gives me crap, plays silly games with me or messes me about, I simply walk away with a smile and a “so long, have fun”. So far, I kept it. I had to use it a few times already. Only thing is I end up sitting on a mountain-top all alone and contemplating my navel. There’s always a trade-off! 
😉
Cyrano de Bergerac
Cyrano de Bergerac, on hearing that Molière had stolen a scene from his play, said: “My life’s work has been to prompt others and be forgotten“. Too many untalented relics of mediocrity steal the limelight – often through plagiarism and clever PR – while the real geniuses remain in the shadows until they shuffle out of the world in obscurity. Such is greatness in this illusion-loving world.
Never believe those who bad-mouth others
3 friends in the last 3 days have told me how upset they are about lies and rumours being spread around about them. There is no more destructive influence in society than people who have an axe to grind, a bone to pick or old-fashioned jealousy in their hearts. My policy is simple. Never believe those who bad-mouth others. Leave them to their lies and realise that the truth has a wonderful way of winning through 🙂
Sensuality
Sensuality is one of the most misused and underestimated elements of life. It can be physically degraded in vanity and exploitation (eg. pornography, lewdness, etc.) or spiritually elevated in healing and lovemaking (eg. massage, tantra, etc.). Sensuality is often a missing element in music – although music is probably the most spiritually sensual of all the arts…
© 2011, Alan Morrison
Remembrance Day
So-called “Remembrance Day” looms large again. Instead of buying poppies and making wreaths, there should be public readings of Wilfred Owen’s powerful and haunting war poetry, which was written in the battle trenches in 1917/18. Try this sonnet-drenched sample, where Owen shows what a lie it is to say that dying for your country in battle is “sweet and right”:
http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Wilfred_Owen/wilfred_owen_dulce_et_decorum_est.htm
The 15 Authors/Poets who have most influenced/affected me
Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who have always influenced you and will always stick with you:
Wandering around naked
There is nothing more liberating and primeval than spending a whole day wandering around completely naked (not a metaphor). Makes me realise just how shielding and defensive clothes really are…
Imaginary Gulf between Classical Music and other Styles of Music
It is sad that many people perceive an imaginary gulf between classical music and other styles of music. Many in the folk/pop/rock/country/singer-songwriter scene would never go to a classical music concert and have hardly listened to any classical music. Here’s a promise: If you ask me, I will take you to a classical music concert which will completely blow your mind. Then the gulf will be gone!
The Naked Troubadour 