My dreams are often detailed and nuanced and last night’s nocturnal meanderings were no exception. It started with a group of people who wanted to become a super-star band. They have talent and desire, but not enough time to rehearse and perform. They meet a mysterious benefactor who tells them that she will see to it that their dreams will come true. She offers a year’s salary for each of them so that they can quit their jobs, guidance to shape their image, and rehearsal space, as they had been practicing in a garage of one of the band members. She tells them about the other bands she has groomed and helped to make stunningly successful.
On the edge of their seats, they nod and are eager to begin the process. There is one caveat. They need to sign an agreement that there will be no drugs, alcohol or smoking. No sexual encounters with groupies, no scandal. Their squeaky clean image won’t be a façade; it will be who they are. The music matters more than the flash.
She wants them to have time to hone their craft since there are many talented songwriters in their midst. The other services she offers to fund is fitness training, nutrition, psychotherapy and coaching. She knows all too well the toll the industry takes on a person’s body, mind and spirit. Consider all of the beloved performers whose lives ended far too soon, as they descended into addiction.
Unfortunately, a biological urge woke me before the sun rose and try as I might, I couldn’t return to sleep to follow their journey. I didn’t see them perform, didn’t even catch the name of the band, but I liked the ideas my mind conjured. What I know about dreams is that they are a spillover from current and sometimes that day, events and that each aspect of the dream is part of the dreamer. I listen to music all throughout the day, as it is such an important part of my life. I often wonder about the lives of the performers and have heard stories of the challenges they face. I am also grateful to know musicians who are sober as well as physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.
Although I am not a musician, I do like to sing. I can relate to the desire to be on the ‘big stage,’ as a speaker that has been a long time dream. I met it in 2022 when I offered a TEDx talk called Overcoming the Taboo of Touch. Some of the training to offer a TEDx talks includes coaching for stage presence, honing and polishing the talk and since it is stressful, life coaching. I am kinda squeaky clean-no drugs, alcohol or cigs. I have a solid sense of conscience about my relationships. I do my best to maintain humility. Several years ago, I asked friends to keep me in check if I got too full of myself. One of them offered a sly smile as they said, “You don’t need your friends for that. Adam (my then teenage son) will keep you humble.” Did he ever?
The dream topic reminds me a bit of the 1996 cult classic film That Thing You Do, which was Tom Hanks’ directorial debut. The song is lively and danceable.
May all your sweetest dreams come true!
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
