Inspiration in chalk

I awoke this morning in much the same fashion as the past couple of days, around noon, clutching a pillow and reluctant to move. Using the ever successful process of mentally listing all that had to be done that day, I coaxed myself out of bed. With only one item on the to-do list “Go to the liquor store,” I cast the winning vote, 1-0, to get it over with.

Looking like a walking train wreck, I made it there and back. However, on my way into my neighborhood, I noticed a note written in chalk on the corner by the stop sign. I had seen it just a few minutes prior, but assumed it was just something a few neighborhood kids did last night in the name of undying rebellion.

Intrigued, I decided to stop the car and read the message.

In front of the stop sign read: “If this sign told you to live without fear would you still obey?”

To say I was stunned would be an understatement. In that moment the weight of all of my decisions, the things I have done, things I did not do, everything I have wanted and everything I needed was called into question.

Am I living in fear? If so, fear of what? Dissatisfaction or happiness, failure or success, predisposition or free will, control or freedom, the mundane or the fantastic, comfort or newness, longing or having? Much like the age old question: “Is one more afraid of dying or living?”

It is a strange experience for the universe to give you the exact sign you need in the moment you are starving for it.

Needless to say, I have not nor do I think I can at this moment, answer most, if any, of the questions posed above.

However, the rest of my day consisted of playing the piano for 9 straight hours, for the first time in years, writing numerous new songs and recording all that was played to be part of my second piano CD.

For that I thank the inspirational message writer and beckon you all to spread the inspiration through chalk.