Journey to the Present

I used to want to be the best

Or I wouldn’t even play the game

In some ways that attitude served me well

I’ve made a good living and achieved industry fame

Along the way I saw my mentors

Mellow late in their careers

I look back now and understand

As I advance in years

For so long my mind was in the future

Always thinking of what’s coming next

I stayed focused on goals, accomplished a lot

And I don’t have any regrets

But I’m learning to live in the present now

Not in a future that may never be

Right now is the time to call an old friend,

Help a stranger, or just breathe and be happy

When I run these days I do it for fun

I don’t need to win a race

I love the breath in my lungs, the strength of my legs

And the rising sun shining on my face

I know I’m not the best writer

But that’s not who I’m trying to be

I hope others enjoy what I share

But I write these stories and poems for me

And my guitar is the thing that brings me most joy

I’m no longer held back by my play

I know a few chords and some of Jimmy’s songs

Strumming and singing makes me happy every day

Old habits die hard and life is a journey

I haven’t mastered these concepts of Zen

But when I catch myself fretting for the future,

I breathe deep and come back to the present again