“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas Edison

Have you ever seen the acrobats on the big trampolines, or the people in the circus on the big bounding nets? And they hit that net and they spring forth into flight. Well, the moment that they hit the net, that’s like the platform of your life. But it is the flying through the air that is the main event.

We want you to think of your “now reality” as nothing more than the net that is springing you — but it is the flight through the air that is your life.

So many of you, you hit that net and then you lay on your stomach, and then you wrap your fingers and toes into it, and you put your face tight into it, and you say, “I’ve got to face reality.” And we say, you didn’t come forth to face reality. You came forth to spring off of reality. You came forth to let the reality be the basis from which you take flight.

Abraham-Hicks Philadelphia, PA — 11/7/1999

(Here’s an essay I was asked to write about Gretsch Guitars)


Insatiable Love Affair

The plastic guitar at age two wasn’t enough, and when i saw the Beatles on the tele at age 4, I fell deeply in love with guitar.

A couple of acoustic guitars came, one fake that had nails for two of
the tuning pegs, and one real that actually stayed in tune. And finally
lessons. But I needed an electric guitar. An american guitar. I wanted
to bend strings & play the solos I’d been learning on an electric. I
was playing chord solos too, learning how to play legato & hold notes
while others note moved & I wanted to hear more sustain.

Because of George Harrison I wanted a Gretsch guitar! And at 12, in
1972 my parents bought me a 1961 Gretsch Anniversary model. Whoa! The passion went deep. It was wildly known the best guitars were American made. George had wanted an American guitar since he was a kid. His lass="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, -webkit-fantasy;">Gretsch Duo Jet was his prized possession. It was his first American guitar & he kept it his whole life.

George & I were both influenced by super guitar players. Masters.
Players who had a feel & tone that personified the notes they chose.
Serious guitar players that were so clever & articulate the music
flowed & looked effortless to create. That’s the mark of an expert. It
looks so easy when they play and it sounds brilliant. It’s all about
the touch & feel; the magic happens with your hands, at your fingertips & you need an instrument that can respond to your whispers & moans.

A Gretsch neck has always felt perfect in my small hand. I love the
round shape & made-for-each-other fit. Gretsch guitars have a good
weight to them. The workmanship is smooth, every line & crease, every curve is finished. No rough spots, nothing feels dinky. I still have my ’61 Anniversary model. I’ve written many songs with it. This guitar’s every shape & form is in my muscle memory. Playing it is like visiting a dear friend. In 2000 I picked up a Country Classic Jr., similar to the Country Gentleman George bought in 1963. This body size couldn’t be more comfortable. It was love at first touch. I feel like George when I’m playing this guitar. There’s a magical essence, chemical reaction, blend of wood & soul when I play Beatle songs on this guitar.

I get verklempt when I think of Gretsch guitars. They’ve loomed so
large in my legendary Beatle life’s frame work. George, Gretsch,
George, Gretsch, George, Gretsch. They’re in the blueprint of my
childhood, the groundwork of my musicianship, the discovery of music & life itself.

Lauren Passarelli ~ This Day Came

For what it’s worth it’s never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit; start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There’s no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it & I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you find the strength to start all over again.

Well the punch line of the old joke is PRACTICE!

I love playing with a pick. I love playing with pick & fingers & I love finger picking. They give me different sounds & feels & ability to create the guitar parts I want to play. Whether it’s steel string or nylon eventually with much playing comes much wearing down of the nails. Here’s what I’ve been experimenting with over the years & a great guitarist’s nail article that gets into it all.

“Essentially, I want good company in my creative life, and I want to provide that to my fellow creators. I want to help other people love their work so that they keep going and give it the very best attention and skill they have, and I want that fostering in return. I want to make the most of my spark and enjoy the warmth and light of my friends making the most of theirs, too.” ~ Kate Chadbourne

What a fabulous way to say it! ~ L Pass

“And now it is your Life Story and it is you who play the leading roll. The stage is set, the time is now, and the place wherever you are. Each passing second a new link in the endless chain of Time. The drama of Life is a continuous story – ever new, ever changing, and ever wondrous to behold.”

“The verdict from Paul McCartney’s show at his Coachella debut on Friday? Never underestimate the power of a Beatle… The night belonged to Paul.” — LOS ANGELES TIMES