In my email inbox today, I found a stirring call to action.
"Write an explosive pop hit!" was the challenge issued by my local songwriters' association.
In a way, it came at just the right time. Over the last few months, I've been writing a grad school thesis on the spiritual dimensions of contemporary songwriting.
Writing "an explosive pop hit!" isn't one of those dimensions.
Ever since I started writing songs at age 12, I've been convinced that songwriting is a primarily spiritual activity--not a materialistic one.
Each time I write a song, I am reminded of the beauty and grace inherently found in all music, and in the creativity that takes place continually, in every aspect of life experience.
Each time I write a song, I am challenged to look deep within myself, to embrace what is authentic and life-giving--and to let go of everything that does not serve the song.
When I approach songwriting in this way, I find that I am more awake and honest.
I'm more accepting of life, with all its imperfections.
I hope I'm a little more humble, a little more kind.
When I see songwriting as a primarily spiritual task, rather than a commercial one, the emerging song can help me grow and mature.
Not only as a songwriter..but as a human being.
The task in front of us is not to write "an explosive pop hit"...
But to write a song worthy of our love.
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