Bon idea Publishing

Eric Clapton just turned 80 last month and just finished a 8-day residency at Tokyo Budokan. This leg of the tour was sponsored by Martin Guitars. It was a real buzz having this legend in town bringing a feel-good factor and inspirating new emerging talents in Japan. It was so inspirating for young musicians there to meet Clapton and his band. it was the chance to learn from an old school guitarist how to stay in the business for decades and break records. It was a real exchange of like-minded creative individuals talking music and how to incorporate different genre of music into their own cultural repertoire. It was all about music and musicians, people. It is all about the love of playing with an instrument. 

There is still more for me to learn from playing, Clapton mentioned when he is taking a guitar, he is still learning, and now with his old age, he needs to practice every day.  It is that passion to play that keeps him playing even at 80. The secret of his longevity is to stay focus on his goals to play live and honour his craft. This desire is the spiritual fuel that keeps him alive.

At the start of his career, Clapton had formed in his mind a mission; the reason why he wanted to play was to disseminate a different kind of music whose roots gave birth to rock n’ roll. He was adamant on what he wanted to achieve. So, he did, he kept the eye of the mountain if you like to play the music as authentic as he could. The real trouble occurred when he veered off from that basic purpose. This passion was a drive that gave him horsepower to be strong and to persevere. He was lucky to have met other musicians who put him back unto his path.  He is a very humble man and doesn’t think he is good, but he has passion and play from the heart.  He has always been indented to play with feelings and not think when he plays for the word go. He plays in the moment. It is a very artistic trait and highly creative way. 

It has started with decisions he had made with himself on what he wanted to achieve. Clapton is still driven by these decisions he held close to his heart. He has passion and interest. That is quite admirable after all those years in service to music, as many of his peers, who might had been more technically proficient, did not seem to have this drive or purpose and lost their ways. 

You have to be strong, keep the show on the road and keep a sense of integrity. What you want to do is your calling card.  Having a purpose gives an individual wings and power. Believe me, being old is on its own kind of challenge, the body and mind is not as sharp as it used to be, and the muscles get wasted if you don’t move and exercise. 

Having a purpose, a passion is good to keep the mind focus and the body active. Additionally, any artistic endeavours help to keep the imagination engaged in life. Be interested in opportune keys to extroversion and performance. Clapton is still interested in his craft by watching musicians on YT too.

There is a mind attitude to adopt, letting good things coming and be grateful for what life is. You can make any change if you wish. Be decisive. It is the many lessons I have can take to heart by looking at the live of people whose passion took them beyond what they could achieve and observing how alive they are still driven by that passion.   What is yours?