A Walk On The Beach

      I am currently in Myrtle Beach South Carolina visiting my ailing step-father. As I waited to go see him yesterday I suggested to my friend Tim who was accompanying me that we kill an hour or two by going to take a walk on the beach.

       At first I gave my own suggestion no thought. I have walked on the beach a thousand times, because most of life has been lived near the ocean save the last 8 years. Yet it was like an automatic reflex of something that I had to do, especially while visiting a town with “BEACH” in its name.

       Why this call to water? Is it some draw back to my primordial roots? Is it just to enjoy something I now don’t get to see every day? Is it to take in the vastness and the grandeur of the scene? For as far as you can see and as far as you can imagine there is water, water and more water.

       Whatever the reason, there is the anticipation of getting there. When will you see it? What curve will you round where it will come into view? The first a glimpses of it will come most likely between buildings or maybe through a tree line that has a break in it. It will sneak back behind the obstruction and you instinctively will be on high alert waiting for the next glimpse. The closer you get they become more and more frequent. Finally it comes into full view and you feel a sense of release. Your mind immediately shifts focus now to where you can park to take in this vast beauty? 

       Finally you are settled into a parking spot and you make your way over the dunes on to the strand. You take extra effort to walk through the sugar sand to get to the part of the stand that is firm and flat and where your tracks are delicately marked and quickly washed away by the onrushing tide. You perform a dance with the water. You get as close to it as you can without letting it touch your shoes, or your feet if you are barefooted. The wind is always present. Nothing is obstructing any currents coming off the ocean. It whistles in your ear and envelopes you with its feel and force. The waves roll on to the strand at a steady rhythm creating a meditative backdrop that seems to wash away every thought. Your cares melt away with every step. You walk to the beat of your heart and the waves that are in synch with one another. You sift through the shells looking for ones that catch your attention and maybe pocket a few to take home to family and friends. Shifting your focus to over the horizon and imagine what is just beyond the point you can see and imagine how far out could you swim? Twenty minutes one way and then turn around and twenty minutes back to your point of origin. You now have exercised and meditated all at the same time. You feel refreshed and renewed.

       With all its grandeur and the all-encompassing experience it provides, it’s no wonder that people feel that connection with the beach, even if they may not fully understand why in the moment.

What is your favorite beach?

“Take Five” & Meet Paul

The world of music is loaded with great songs, great artists that it is impossible for me to narrow down my favorites to a list of less than a hundred or maybe even less than a thousand. As hard as it might be to pick my FAVORITE song, I can certainly appreciate a song that has captured my interest and has inspired me replay it countless times. One such song is the jazz classic “Take Five” that was recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959.

Take Five appeared on the album “Time Out” where the whole concept of the album was to perform songs of an odd time signature. Dave Brubeck had been inspired to create such an album after he had toured Eastern Europe and heard some street musicians performing songs in odd time signatures. Take Five was in the meter of 5/4. The catchy melody crossed musical lines and the song not only became a hit on the pop charts but became the signature song of Dave Brubeck’s long illustrious career.

With great confidence, I can say that you have heard this song, even if you don’t know it by its title. It has been covered countless times by other artist and was also used about 10 years ago in a Lexus commercial. The song is one of, IF NOT the best instrumental hit of all time. Despite the songs amazing popularity, it was the only one on the “Time Out” album that WASN’T written by Brubeck. It was written by Dave’s saxophone player Paul Desmond.

Paul Desmond is a name that is certainly respected in jazz circles and had a nice career of his own. His popularity never rivaled that of Brubeck. Yet when I listen to Dave Brubeck all I can hear is Paul Desmond. His sound is so inextricably linked to Brubeck that I wonder how popular Dave would have become without the sweet sound of Paul. The two together provided a beautiful blend of music that rivals any musical tandem, yet other famous musical partnerships, ie. Lennon/McCartney, Simon and Garfunkel, Jan and Dean, Ashford and Simpson, Paul’s recognition is easily lost under the umbrella of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. In the world of stardom and egos which jazz musicians are certainly not immune to, one might assume that this lack of recognition might create a wedge between the two yet there is no evidence of that it did. They worked together for roughly 18 years including 8 years after the release of Time Out. It was only when Brubeck decided to focus more on writing that Desmond engaged with other musicians. Afterward they would occasionally come back together for musical reunions up until Paul’s early death in 1977 from lung cancer. Upon his death his saxophone was left to one of Brubeck’s sons.

The sweet distinctive sound of Paul Desmond is so pleasing to my ears. He is by far my favorite saxophonist. His clean, non-aggressive, melodic style is like a cool drink of water on a hot summer’s day. Very refreshing! While reflecting on his life and career, I wondered what might have happened if he insisted on his fame and recognition over just playing music. His song was famous yet he was not in comparison. Would this have disrupted both of their careers had Desmond branched out on his own and refused to let Dave use his song? Well there is no way of knowing that but I am thankful that it didn’t. It seems that they just were doing what they were doing, regardless of where fame took them. They were just Paul and Dave and were friends first, musicians second, on a musical journey through a lifetime. 

Paul's work continues to inspire new generations of players including my son Zach, who uses a similar set up (mouthpiece and reeds) to Paul. His lyrical approach to soloing tells me that the Paul's influence didn't stop with just equipment. for he also prefers solos that are not over done and melodies that are pure and simple. 

Your assignment today is to take five to enjoy the song "Take Five" and appreciate and celebrate the master musician Paul Desmond just being who he was, a member of a famous jazz quartet who's name escapes me at the moment. (smile)

Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Philosophical Footnotes: Prayer Time

Philosophical Footnotes: Prayer Time: I am currently reading the book "The Many Faces Of Prayer" by Reverend Dr. Thomas Shepherd.  The book illustrates the many ...

Prayer Time

I am currently reading the book "The Many Faces Of Prayer" by Reverend Dr. Thomas Shepherd. 

The book illustrates the many people who engage in the practice of prayer. As we know prayer is practiced in all world religions in various forms and styles. He makes the point that prayer is either praying to someone or some thing or reflecting on the divine within. 

I have experienced prayer both ways. I currently embrace a Unity/New Thought mindset, but I was raised in a southern Baptist church where we fervently prayed to the "Lord JAYSUS Christ". I was definitely praying to a power out THERE. That being said, my prayer time is more personal now and I recognize my oneness with the divine and have a more inner connection. 

I have heard the notion, prayer is talking to God, while meditation is listening to God. I guess it is for some people. My prayers are mostly in an affirmative style. I never pray beseeching God's graces anymore. I pray more from the mindset of knowing that any prayer I pray is already answered to the level of my faith. I have found that even though I recognize more with the divinity within, I customarily end my prayers with “Thank YOU God”, which could easily be interpreted as praying to an entity outside of myself.

Each of us will have our own way of praying that has been shaped and reshaped by our culture, our beliefs and our experiences. One of my personal pet peeves about prayer are those who pray to God like there is some great candy giver in the sky who whimsically sits upon a throne and decides whether or not to grant the wishes and the pleadings of those in prayer. YET, I know there are some who believe this whole-heartedly and I honor their path of spirituality.

Answered prayer to me is when my awareness is in line with Divine Mind. When I can detach from the outcome of a specific prayer, KNOWING that the prayer is answered. This doesn’t always walk in step with the physical universe. I may pray for prosperity, but it may not manifest in the form of money. I may in turn, meet someone who has an idea for me OR I develop and idea that I have had. Prayer is a way of internal alignment that allows me to not limit God to money. One thought could be worth billions of dollars. Walt Disney drew the beloved character Mickey Mouse in a moment of distress. It’s estimated that Disney is worth 54 billion dollars today. If Walt was praying for prosperity, I am quite sure it didn’t rain down $100 bills from heaven but the seed planted in his mind exceeded any dream of prosperity in his moment of despair.  

To make this blog interactive I thought I would offer up some questions that will allow you to share.

How do you pray and why?

Have you ever had a prayer answered and if so WHAT?  

Starting Blog

I have always enjoyed writing. I love philosophy and religion and music in no specific order. Either one of these subjects may dominate my thoughts on any given day. I have learned in 49 years that my interests seem to stay fairly constant.

Right now I have no idea of how often I may post but like the idea of having a place to write and share.