You could call it a mission, over the last 15 years I have had the opportunity to work day to day with some of the most insanely talented artists, writers, and bands. Day to day in the studio, I have been privy to see how artists are affected by fear, how it affects their lives… how artists and songwriters process their fears. This, as you might imagine, is not only a creative problem, it is a universal problem. Clearly seen in what we attempt, what we go after, and even willing to fail for. Fear has become the lens that for most of us, our decisions are filtered through. Whatever path includes the least amount of fear, is usually the path taken. I have seen it hundreds of times, but most recently by a young man we will call Jake. Jake and his family, came by the studio looking for advice into his career path. He asked if he could play a few songs for us. We obliged, and what happened I will not forget, you see, this kid was really amazing. To be 16 or 17, and have the musical instincts Jake had, was very rare. But, Jake had even a more serious problem, his “fear” owned him. During our meeting, he and his parents shared what could happen if he followed a certain college path. “Hypotheticals” about, possible risks, or even the dreaded “F word” Failure. AGGHHH! I was greatly saddened. Whatever path that included anything potentially risky was “out”. I wonder what kind of life this kind of processing would create. How would he handle dating or friendships, or confrontations, love, and dreams.

This means that we get to say goodbye to things like “passion”… “purpose”… and “calling”. My question is, can a person be considered “alive” if they don’t have these things operating in them?

Are they still alive in you?

the Fear Killer