Thank You August

"What are you attached to?"

Was the question asked tonight at the Ananda Meditation Center. It made me happy that it took me a while to think of something, and my answer wasn't all that bad. If this had been asked a year ago I would have said a guy named Jared, traveling, saving money, and an album I was working on. Those things were not terribly bad either but the stress of each pulled on me. Not anymore!

These days my attachments are the internet, food, and music. But these are very general things, so what is underneath that causing feelings of attachment? I feel like the internet keeps me connected to the world. I don't watch TV or listen to the radio much so I get my news online. All the people I've met traveling I can keep up with on facebook even if they are all the way down in Australia (it is very hard to coordinate a phone call to Australia). And I love blogging, I've been doing it for over 10 years now. With food I feel connected to the earth and the service of people. Like this cup of tea I'm drinking, I just think of all the people involved to get this to me. Lucky for me my food attachment isn't a craving for donuts or In and Out Burger but when I wake up in the morning I cannot wait to make me a green smoothie and sip it and smile. And I love a good meal in good company, on my juice cleanse I learned how much of a social thing eating is. Tonight Maryam and I ate fish and veggie burritos and shared a lovely hour together. And music.... that's where I feel pure love, at times it's my higher power.

I am realizing that my attachment is actually to feeling connected. I feel joy and happiness when I feel connected, I feel alive. I am aware that this is like a drug for me.

As August 2010 comes to an end I look back and realize I experienced an abundance of introductions and new connections. I've met all kinds of people from a woman named Amor to Brett Dennen's girlfriend. I met the talented and sweet man who produced John Mayer's Continuum. I LOVE THAT ALBUM. I met a singer named Rohwyn who kindly brought me along to a diner to eat with Rachael Yamagata and her band. I met a writer named Erin who hosted a beautiful workshop in her home in Topanga. I met a man who once met Jimi Hendrix in Seattle. I met a manager of Cafe Gratitude who told a story of meeting her dad for the first time. I met a dietitian, a nutritionist, an owner of a recording studio, and the executive director of a program I'm going to do music therapy and yoga with. I've even connected with someone I've never even met through my accountant (aka Don the Nicest Man Ever) and even if it's just getting a thoughtfully written email or being in the presence of someone who has done beautiful things, it's still that same great feeling.

I will proudly say that one talent I've been blessed with is the ability to meet whoever I want. And I mean whoever. No matter how high profile, if I really want to meet someone it happens. I've met my biggest heroes, multiple times. I will frequently boast about this cause it seems like the more I do the more it happens.

Thank you August. Looking forward to September.