Watch the video-the story is better coming from his own mouth, and only 90 seconds long. Plus you get some Miles Davis horn in the background. But in case you’re not in a place to play it:
Musician Herbie Hancock remembers a mortifying moment while playing onstage with jazz legend Miles Davis. The band was hot that night, he recalls, and Davis was in the middle of a solo in the song “So What.” Out of nowhere, Hancock played the wrong chord—it wasn’t just slightly off, it was horrifyingly wrong.
But to Hancock’s amazement, “Miles didn’t hear it as a mistake. He heard it as… something that happened. Just an event. …[It] was part of the reality of what was happening at that moment. And he dealt with it.” Davis reproduced Hancock’s chord and somehow incorporated it into the solo itself: “Since he didn’t hear it as a mistake, he felt it was his responsibility to find something that fit,” Hancock says.
“That taught me a very big lesson about not only music but about life.”
I shared this video on Facebook a couple of months ago, but I haven’t blogged about it, because it’s taken me awhile to take this to heart-and I’m still working on it. Robert can attest that I am trying!
Example: I can’t tell you how many times a child will spill something on a tablecloth that I literally put on the table mere hours before. (OK, adults too.) It’s not that we spill a lot. We don’t. It’s just some weird Murphy’s Law thing: fresh tablecloth, OOPS goes the milk.
I have taken to announcing in times like this:
THAT IS A THING THAT HAPPENED!
Or the shorthand:
AN EVENT!
I find the more dramatic the voice, the better.
It’s a nod to Herbie and to Miles, both of whom have much to teach me about improv and about life.
I get in trouble sometimes for putting two things alongside one another to see how they speak to one another. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
I read this article this morning, “A pollster on the racial panic Obama’s presidency triggered — and what Democrats must do now.” I’m eager to delve into Cornell Belcher’s research to see how it holds up. (By the way, he’s not saying everyone who voted against Obama is a racist-his argument is much more nuanced than that, and race is one factor among many. I ask you to engage with what he is actually saying before you argue with it.)
I was especially interested in his critique of the old Democratic trope that people vote for Republicans “against their economic self-interest”:
It’s a disconnect that’s frustrating to me. They’re not voting against their economic interests; they are voting for their higher interests… The idea that you can disconnect white people from their group position and make pocketbook arguments to them void of the history of their group is folly.
…Who are we to say that they’re voting against their economic interests? If in fact you think you’re losing your country, that’s your higher interest, and how in the hell am I gonna prosper if [I believe] other people are taking my country?
The themes he lifts up reminded me of a passage I was reading last night from Steven Pressfield’s book on creativity, The War of Art. It’s not a book about politics, but this excerpt prompted me to reflect on how potent the Trump campaign turned out to be. I’ve tried to abridge it as much as possible:
Fundamentalism is the philosophy of the powerless, the conquered, the displaced and the dispossessed. Its spawning ground is the wreckage of political and military defeat, as Hebrew fundamentalism arose during the Babylonian captivity, as white Christian fundamentalism appeared in the American South during Reconstruction, as the notion of the Master Race evolved in Germany following World War I. In such desperate times, the vanquished race would perish without a doctrine that restored hope and pride.
What exactly is this despair? It is the despair of freedom. The dislocation and emasculation by the individual cut free from the familiar and comforting structures of the tribe and the clan, the village and the family.
It is the state of modern life.
The fundamentalist (or more accurately, the beleaguered individual who comes to embrace fundamentalism) cannot stand freedom. He cannot find his way into the future, so he retreats to the past. He returns in imagination to the glory days of his race and seeks to reconstitute both them and himself in their purer, more virtuous light. He gets back to basics. To fundamentals.
To making America great again?
Continuing to ponder all of this, and I welcome thoughtful engagement (and respectful disagreement) as I sort it out.
This morning was dreary. The weather is gray, Robert is out of town… plus, the state of the world. I told friends today, with tongue slightly in cheek, that it feels like The Two Towers meets The Empire Strikes Back, every single day.
So I challenged myself to come up with ten small-or-large things that bring a smile to my face. Most turned out to be small, but they are enough bread for today.
1. I have greatly enjoyed Story People by Brian Andreas. A friend of mine receives daily emails from SP and sent this one along because it reminded her of improv:
2. Speaking of improv, mistakes and “failures” are inevitable when you’re improvising. And living. This week I was randomly reminded of this cartoon by Stephen McCranie about making friends with failure:
More at the link.
3. At a time when fake news is in the real news, including speculation as to whether the outcome of the election was influenced by Russian meddling, I needed these words from Walt Whitman. I can think of worse criteria for discernment.
4. My kids and I were fascinated by the discovery of a dinosaur tail, preserved in amber, that appears to have feathers.
5. Jolene, sung by Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus (to whom I’m coming around) and Pentatonix:
And as a bonus, this “open apology” to Dolly Parton is wonderful. I will admit-I too thought she was a bimbo when I was much younger. I was so very wrong. Dolly is a national treasure. (Keep your hands OFF her, 2016.)
6. Santa has been in the news lately. Sadly, my second-favorite Santa story turns out to be a hoax. But my favorite one is 100% true. My friend Alex, who has three children who are Latinx and African-American, took them to visit a black Santa at Macy’s in New York a few days ago. She reports, “He listened intently to each of our kids, then told them that he loved them and that they were perfect just as they are. By the time we left, Brett and I were both crying. Don’t tell me that Santa isn’t real.”
Don’t tell me either.
7. These toffee cookies made with five ingredients: butter, brown sugar, saltines, chocolate chips, and pecans. I wish the recipe were a little more specific-I know my way around a candy thermometer-and I made them in a 13×9 rather than 11×17, so they cooled more into hardened caramel than with that crystalline toffee texture. Still, good and easy.
8. Christmas music. My love for “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been well documented, and I have almost two dozen versions of it. (Best one: John Denver and Rowlf the Dog.) But this year I am loving “The Christmas Waltz.” It’s not one we think about often or list among the greats, but it’s pure schmaltz. Here is a version from Tony Bennett that provides top-shelf cheese.
9. Readers and friends reaching out. I sent an email newsletter last week, and every time I do that I get some unsubscribes. No big deal, it’s the nature of it. But I got at least as many people saying “That is exactly what I needed.” That’s a ratio I can live with. And in response to yesterday’s very me-focused running post, I heard from a friend asking if I would support her through Couch to 5K.
Thankful for the ways we carry each other.
10. Where Is the Light? I posted this song to Facebook the other day but it’s a worthy addition to this list. As the days get shorter, this will lift your spirits and remind you where the light can always be found. Performed by LEA, a wonderful local singer-songwriter here in the DC area.
Do you like to set fitness goals? I do. Goals help me stay focused on those things that I know are good for me (exercise, healthy eating) but that are easy to let go when things get busy or stressful.
As a goal-oriented person, I do have to be careful to find the right kinds of goals, otherwise it can be like this:
I also prefer the language of intentions since the word is a little more gracious. Intentions point us in the right direction, but leave room for the fact that life happens.
This time last year, I was looking at my previous year’s fitness goals/intentions and realizing I didn’t meet a single one of them. Injury will do that.
At that time I also set some goals for 2016. Here is the post. Time to see how I did! Overall, it has been an intense but joyful year, running-wise.
To remain injury free, as much as that’s within my control. How I did: Nailed it. There were only two times when I had to take a few days off, and one was when I twisted my ankle a month ago-it was a clumsiness injury, not an overuse one. The other was the very beginning of plantar fasciitis, which I nipped in the bud, thankfully. That injury’s a bugger. Repeat in 2017? Absolutely. This is my #1 goal for the foreseeable future. This article by Greg McMillan calls durability “the most underrated ‘talent’ for distance running success.” I will never be that fast; I will never win my age group; but with care and some luck, I’ll be able to run as long as I want to.
Mother’s Day triathlon with my friend Julie marking me up!
To run three times per week and cross train 2-3 times, including strength. How I did: I have friends who can run most every day, and I also know some runners will run every day even when their body is trying to tell them to dial it back. More power to them! Three times a week was the perfect rhythm for my particular situation. Having a recovery day allowed me to run long distances on the days I did run, including some 35-mile weeks at the peak of marathon training. Repeat in 2017? Yes, for sure. I didn’t do as much strength training as I would have liked in 2016, so strength will be higher in the cross-training rotation, along with swimming, biking and elliptical.
To do a race a month, though not always running for time. How I did: Yes! I love races-the energy, the camaraderie, the costumes… and when racing for time, the chance to push myself. As Meb Keflezighi says, “Winning doesn’t always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself.” I ran these races with James, Robert, Margaret, and lots of friends along the way, and many of them solo as well. Repeat in 2017? Yes. I’m planning for two of them to be triathlons again, and one will be Ragnar relay. And I’ll participate in at least one of them as a volunteer.
When I do race, to do so without my Garmin. How I did: I was about half and half on this. I definitely improved in my ability to run by feel rather than be a slave to the watch. Coach Jenny Hadfield talks about “running by color,” and I took this approach with several of my races. Repeat in 2017? I don’t know that I will set this as a goal per se, but I do intend to keep focused on my body rather than the time on a watch.
Mile 17ish at the Marine Corps Marathon. It was starting to get warm.
To run Marine Corps Marathon. How I did: I did it! It was hot that day, but I still managed to take 10 minutes off my previous marathon time. Repeat in 2017? Not this year. I’m planning another marathon in 2018. Every two years is nice-there’s more to life than 26.2.
To keep my easy runs truly easy. How I did: As I wrote last year, “I’m a big fan of 80/20 running, in which 80% of your workouts should be at an easy conversational pace… Most recreational runners are at about a 50/50 ratio, and there are various physiological reasons why that’s not as healthy or effective.” I ran with friends a lot this year, and while sometimes that pushed me to go faster than I should, mostly the conversation kept us at an easygoing pace. Repeat in 2017? Yes, and I’ll be focusing more on increasing the intensity of the other 20%, which makes that easy 80% all the more important.
Here are some new hopes and intentions I have for 2017:
The Memorial Bridge on a recent sunrise run. Posted on Instagram.
To complete four half marathons. Not all will be raced for time, but I do hope to PR for at least one of them.
To improv my 10K time. 10Ks are my least favorite distance. I’d like to make friends with it, since it’s a good sustainable distance if the longer distances start to create too much wear and tear on me.
To intentionally support other runners. I’d like to do this by volunteering at races and perhaps supporting someone starting the Couch to 5K program. I also hope to write more about running as a spiritual practice. Lots of people I know (especially women) have learned to love and respect their bodies as a result of this sport, including me. I want to think more about that.
To get trained as a coach. I want to go through the RRCA certification program, mainly for my own edification (I don’t see myself coaching others, I’m mainly interested for myself). This will be subject to schedule.
To be able to do 15-20 “big-girl” pushups. My upper body strength stinks. Enough said.
One of the reasons I’m so happy to be done with the manuscript for Improvising with Godis the chance to consume art, and read books, and generally get the tank filled up after expending so much energy writing. I also realize I’ve had my head down so much I haven’t had a chance to promote the really great work that’s already out there, written by friends and colleagues.
In no particular order, here are some recent books you should know about:
My friend Elizabeth Hagan’s memoir Birthed: Finding Grace Through Infertility dropped last month! You got to meet her here at the Blue Room in her Q&A, but check out her book, which is not just for people struggling with infertility-the story is much broader than that and resists easy answers.
Elizabeth was a member of my Writing Revs group, as was Ruth Everhart, whose memoir Ruined is her harrowing account of a sexual assault that took place in college and the healing that occurred in the long aftermath of that trauma. I got to read both of these books in earlier stages of the process, and it is heartening to see them both loose in the world.
I had the chance to read Lee Hull Moses’s More Than Enough: Living Abundantly in a Culture of Excess and is a great companion for anyone who’s tried to live more lightly on the earth, only to discover that simplicity is anything but simple. Lee is a trustworthy companion on this journey, offering just the right blend of deep wisdom and disarming authenticity.
Bromleigh McCleneghan is stoking the fires of controversy with her faithful and provocative book Good Christian Sex: Why Chastity Isn’t the Only Option-And Other Things the Bible Says About Sex. I’ve started this one and it’s accessible and honest. A friend of mine likes to say that you know you’re doing good work when you have all the right people mad at you, and judging from the nature of the one-star reviews on Amazon, Bromleigh is shaking things up in just the right way.
On the topic of love and relationships, I haven’t picked up Katherine Willis Pershey’s book Very Married: Field Notes on Love and Fidelity, but it’s also making a big splash. Eugene Peterson has called it the best book on marriage he’s ever read. Holy endorsements, Batman!
And finally, looking ahead, Carol Howard Merritt is another Writing Rev who has gone on to do prolific work for the church. Her book Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church will be out next year. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet?