What Boz Scaggs Taught Me

So, what did Boz Scaggs teach me? No, this is not a trip down memory lane.  And yes, this is about the same Boz Scaggs, who produced such hits as “Lido Shuffle” and the “Lowdown.”

Your probably thinking, this better be good, Anna, because either a) you have no idea who Boz Scaggs is, or b) you are wondering if I have gone off the deep end since he was a 1970s icon and this is 2008.

Last night we saw Scaggs in concert in a small concert hall right near my house.  This 64 year old can still belt out the tunes that made his name a billboard wonder in the ‘70s.    

Do What You Love

I would imagine that you are scratching your head and saying what could a 1970s icon teach me?  For starters, he is still doing what he loves.  He chose to follow his musical path for many years before he became a success. Joining different bands, creating albums that did not create commercial successes, and then to produce Silk Degrees that rocked into the 1970’s history. Everyone who listened to music in the 70s knows his music.

Even at 64 years old, he is still performing.  Some might say that he is still performing because he has to.  I have no idea about his wallet or bank account, but it seemed to me that he really enjoyed entertaining the audience.

How does it relate to me?  It affirmed that whatever you choose to do in your life, find your passion.  Just like blogging or any other commitment, it takes time, perseverance, and a real love of what you are doing.  If your heart is not into what you are doing, it shows.

In my situation, I am passionate about the environment and Green Talk is my tool to help teach awareness.  It is frustrating at times when people just think that you are a crazy treehugger or psycho-recycler.   But just like Boz Scaggs, who did not give up his dream when his albums did not pan out, I will  not give up.

I truly believe that if you follow your passions with integrity and commitmentthat good things come to good people.  Take a lesson from Boz and don’t throw in the towel.

Don’t Give People What they Want, But Be Yourself

I know this saying is a little cliché but hear me out. Last night, Scaggs played all his pop 40 music that everyone knows but he mixed it up with his love of rhythm and blues music.   I was surprised since I never knew he loved playing this type of music.

He could have easily continued to play pop 40 type music all night long to keep everyone in that clapping and snapping mood, but he didn’t.  He showed us who he really is.

Did I enjoy his rhythm and blues music?  It was okay and a little melancholy compared to his pop 40s music like Georgia and Jojo.  But, he made a decision to be who he is and I respect that.

Lesson number 2 is be who you are whether people like it or not.  The last person you see in the mirror is yourself not someone else you pretend to be.  It is hard in this world.  We play a role for our employers, friends and family and we feel lonely inside because of it.  You wonder does anyone know who you are.

In my case, I walk a fine line with being an environmentalist.  Everyone day is a balancing act not to do the following:

• Don’t sound too radical to be accepted.
• Try not to push too hard.
• Try not to be judgmental of others, who espouse green living which is akin to changing clothes to something greener.  (This is really a hard one seems everyone is an expert these days…Oh, there I go again….)
• Don’t noticeably cringe when a friend or colleague does something that is not best for the environment.

I have had to bite my lip many, many times.  How can my environmental nature co-exist with others around me who do not feel the need to be enlightened?

At Any Age You should be Allowed to Have Fun

The crowd seems to be mostly in their forties to late fifties. I noticed some would nod their heads in rhythm to the music while others would clap along.  Others, in turn, just sat motionless and just listened.

What struck me was a young woman probably my age or younger would always jump out of her seat, every time Scaggs would start a song she remembered.  She would raise her arms up and dance a little to signify her love of the song.  I know she wanted to continue dancing to the music, but looked around and saw no one else was dancing.  She would then sit down after a few verses of the song.  She probably felt intimidated by the fact that no one else was joining her.

I did not get up either although I wanted to. I thought I would just look silly and the people in back of me would be annoyed that I was blocking their view. Perhaps if I would have gotten up and dragged my friend with me, others would have followed.

What happened to us?  When did we start being afraid to enjoy ourselves like we did in our twenties?  Was it because we were old?  Boz Scaggs was out there performing.  He is 64 for goodness sake, and he looked great!

I often hear people say, “What’s happened to me? I am no longer the person I used to be” with sadness in their voices.

This woman reminded me that we need to be happy.  Happiness is enjoying those small moments that make you grin from ear to ear.   It is how I feel when I am in my garden seeing the bees buzz around and the butterflies land on my flowers. Or watching my kids share a funny moment that makes them feel very connected to each other. Enjoying the little things in life. You are never too old to be happy.

Granted my body does not work as well as it used to and some parts are heading south too quickly, but I will be damned if someone calls me old.  So, if you feel like getting out of your seat to dance,  do it.

Getting Older Freaks Me Out

I have to admit seeing so many people who were my age and older listening to someone I danced to in the 70s kind of freaked me out.  The majority of the men were balding with paunchy stomachs.  Kind of like a high school reunion where the woman look great and the men looked like they had aged centuries.

Some women were dressed as if they were reliving their own teenage years while others just looked matronly.  I could not identify since I view myself still in my thirties and what was I doing around all these people who were easily 2 decades older than me?  I murmured to my friend that I could not believe how old people looked.  She knew I was freaked out.

So I asked myself later, what bothered me about everyone around me looking their age? I hate getting older.  I hate looking older.  This is why so many people must get plastic surgery.

I had to admit last night, I was one of “them.” This year is my last year in my forties.  That freaks me out.  Although I have great genes, and can pass for someone in their thirties, the lines are starting to show.

With age comes wisdom I have been told. Aging does not mean you stop living.  I know.  This is something I need to reconcile.  Perhaps I should surround myself with only people who look as young as me… (Just kidding.)

But getting older does not mean you stop taking care of yourself.  It just made my conviction stronger to watch what I eat and get back on track with my regular exercise program. There are woman in their sixties that look amazing.   Why shouldn’t we?

So take care of yourself, and your body will take care of you.

When I turn 64 I hope to be as passionate at what I do as Boz, look great like him, and don’t give a damn about what others think of me.  Just be happy.  Yes, age brings wisdom.

Thanks Boz for shaking it up a bit last night.

Thoughts, readers?

Photo by Ken Yuel

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