I found myself at the Aerosmith concert. I didn’t even understand that I was lost until I was standing only seven rows from the stage, singing the lyrics to “Dream On,” and feeling the energy that Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were emitting. Their performance was electrifying and so were the thoughts that went through my Ally McBeal-like brain.
1. The size of the mistakes you make in life are relative to how big of a life you live. That doesn’t mean you should play it safe. Aerosmith is a band that has had its share of ups and downs. I’m sure each member of that band has had their regrets and is still making peace with their past. They are living BIG lives. Big lives can lead to big mistakes. It’s both an honor and a curse. I have not lived that loud and with that much energy, but I have still made mistakes. Forgiving myself and doing better is the key to my future. In addition I have to remember that it is never too late to LIVE. Your best life is not behind you. It can be in front of you. LIVE!
2. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have been called the toxic twins, rock gods, and rank amongst some of the top musicians of our time on this earth. They are also husbands, fathers, grandparents and have their own unique separate identity. In that audience I was no longer the mother and a wife. I was me. I was me with all of the happiness, energy and excitement that I felt in my twenties. It was a natural high. I need to have more moments that pay homage to the me within my soul. There are other personality traits that define who I am. It’s not over until it’s over. That person you are at the core of your being needs to be acknowledged.
3. During the concert Steven Tyler gestured to a woman in the audience. At first I was dismayed and thought that he was pulling a young groupie on the stage. At the moment, I felt my age, and the youth that is no longer mine. The camera man showed the object of Tyler’s attention. A young disabled woman hobbled towards the stage. You could see Tyler firmly gesturing, explaining to the audience that it was “her” not anyone else that he wanted to come to the front near the stage. Once she got within a few feet of Tyler, he leaned down with his microphone and had her help him sing the lyrics to the song. Do you know what that is? That is grace. We can all grow and use our lives to bring grace and joy into other people’s lives. Love is what makes life worth living. After he was done he went back to center stage and said “Thank You God!” Yes…it is grace and gratitude for those important moments that make life worth living. Enjoy those moments more than you enjoy others because they are a gift from the divine.
4. During the show Steven Tyler sang while lying down on the floor and I couldn’t help think “how the hell is he going to get up gracefully?” I mean, seriously people….I know how I feel waking up in the morning, how was this man going to get up off of that floor. It is not a secret that he has had foot surgery and has struggled with pain. Steven jumped up. He’s a professional and knows what he needs to do. He pushed himself, and he pushed others to reach their maximum potential. Watching Joe Perry play was inspiring and exhausting at the same time. I can’t imagine how it must feel to play that hard and for that long. Am I living at my maximum potential? Are you giving life your all?
5. Every single member of that band exuded confidence. Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton showed determination and focus every time the camera turned towards them. Aerosmith’s charisma palpitated throughout the arena. Their gift to us is their music. One knows that life is full of possibilities after seeing them perform. Be confident and move forward. Share your gifts.
Let Rock Rule. Rule your life. Live your life!
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