Doing Good, Feels Good!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xnoykhj2fpsolzu/ntr%20recap2017.mp4?dl=0

A mentor of mine (the great "Coach" Gil Valencia) once changed my life with a few words. I had spent my life playing music, but I rarely played in front of people. Music was a very important spiritual experience for me. A way to connect to the infinite and experience something larger than myself. But it was all for me. "That gift was never for you". The words grabbed my soul and have never let go. "It was given to you to give to others". In a few beats, my perspective on talent and purpose shifted. We need to use our talents for the purpose of serving others.

One event where I am blessed to do just this is Night To Remember. A special needs prom serving 450 children in Ventura, CA. My role in the event is to MC the red carpet experience. Hundreds of volunteer paparazzi cheer for each guest as they experience a truly epic moment. There are no words that describe this event. It is stunningly indescribable. In my truck just moments after the event I found myself perplexed to explain what just happened. The myriad of feelings is over whelming. Love and joy flow through the children; the pride in their dresses, the swag in their step as they own the red carpet as uncontrollable excitement shines though their eager eyes. Empathy and compassion fill the hearts of the enthusiastic paparazzi, as tears slowly form and turn again to celebration. Some of the tears were not so understated. I saw a mother watching her child be celebrated by a crowd of hundreds break into uncontrollable crying truly weeping as years of her struggle, dedication, selflessness, love, and pride collided in a singular indescribable moment of beauty and grace.

Coach Gil is right. Our gifts were never for us. Identify what you can do, and do it for them. Doing good, feels good...pass it on.