Learning to Walk Again

A song has really been staying in my head a lot lately – go figure! Anyway, it’s a track called “Learning to Walk Again” by Foo Fighters.

Seems like such a simple concept, but isn’t “reinvention” what design, creativity and life are ultimately all about?

First we learn, and then we start ‘moving’ and applying our learning. Some of that involves successes – we run, and some of that involves failures – we fall. We’re hopefully always in some kind of motion. Walking is a nice analogy for life, and certainly not a new one.

The grand, larger sweeps of our actions involve so many smaller swells, rising actions, and dives in under our heads – apparently now I have turned my metaphor into a swim! Regardless, being able to get a sense of the bigger picture always keeps you headed towards the prize – the goal that may change over time. Time is what helps mold us.

Staying present, but being willing to try things, succeed, fail, learn, grow… and grow older in the process.

I recently started drumming again… after some time away. It’s not like I ever actually forgot how to play, but the rediscovery came for me, as it was the same – but different. Now with electronic drums, and the access to hundreds of new sounds, it definitely feels like rediscovery. In my sentimental mind, I see myself playing in the garage when I was a teenager again – it’s that feeling that I’m talking about. It’s the equivalent of feeling like a kid again. All the training and experience in the world can be good, but to reconnect with the cursiosity and excitement is refreshing. How easy it is to forget as we get older.

I feel like I have the new opportunity to try things. It’s a beautiful thing when we can all take a step back to do something like that.

Creativity happens while we’re “failing often to succeed sooner,” and with little attachment to each little outcome, perhaps we can get towards our grander outcomes…

Even before Nirvana disbanded, Dave Grohl was busy considering new musical ventures. As if Nirvana wasn't enough: here's a great drummer... moving towards becoming a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Now there's a move I can relate to! I love it... it's inspirational, because he kept trying things.

Take a few words from Dave Grohl and the Foos:

“Learning to walk again… I believe I've waited long enough

Where do I begin?

Learning to talk again… Can't you see I've waited long enough

Where do I begin?”

Thanks Dave!

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