Let Hope Jump First

In June, it was hard to think of much else besides my departure date on the 29th. I'd spend two months in Nashville, working via email during the day for my boss in Toronto, playing as many writers rounds as I could at night, writing and meeting people to co-write with. I was looking forward to the summer journey, knowing that it was also the beginning of a larger and longer one. I was feeling hopeful. Scared too.

On June 15, I wrote "Let Hope Jump First"

Well it’s that little leap of faith
And it’s that little prayer you say
With the first step on your way
To something bigger

When you feel beaten down
Just look inside and not around
There’s something better to be found
If you dig deeper

Yeah, there's a great divide
With all your dreams on the other side

CHORUS
Let hope jump first, you might be surprised
Where it’ll land and how far it flies
Send it on ahead, then follow up behind
Just plant your feet one at a time

Instead of standing still
And worrying what might be the worst
Let hope jump first

Son, I’ve been in your shoes
Hesitated on a move
Terrified that I might lose
But that ain’t playing

Now I know, there's a great divide
And all your dreams are on the other side

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE
With hope, you’re never looking back
It keeps your heartbeat racing fast and forward

REPEAT CHORUS

When I sing the song these days, I sometimes get a little choked up. I'm so thankful for that hook line. It's a constant reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Nasty things may indeed happen along the way, like crashing my bike last June. But we can't let 'the maybes' scare us away from what may be. The good comes with the bad. Proof in the pudding: the weird turn that things took last June lead me to make some great friends in Nashville who are now helping me get things straightened away for future visits.

As I get set for the next one in March, I'm only now nearly recovered from the last visit! After five months of physiotherapy, my wrist is pretty much back to normal. I'm exercising again. Even did a few [modified] push ups this week! I'm happy with the music I've been writing lately. Happier in general. Still not writing as frequently as I'd like, but I'm constantly pondering and making notes. I'm much better at and more comfortable with writing without an instrument, which has definitely helped my lyrical focus and melody lines.

Of course, prepping for 'the move' is eating up a lot of time and energy. I'm moving out of my apartment so I can afford to make more frequent visits to Nashville. When I was there last summer, I paid two rents the whole time. But I can't stay afloat for long like that! There's no set schedule or timing, but I reckon I'll be able to head south every two-three months. I have to be in Canada for certain periods of time to keep my healthcare and auto insurance -- and I sure don't want to lose either of those! For stints on the home front in Toronto, I'll rely on a combination of short-term rentals, friend's guest rooms and hopefully some house-sits to help pinch more pennies. Keep me in mind if you're taking sabbatical!

I've been purging like crazy, giving away books, donating clothes, tossing more useless junk than I care to admit. What's left will go in a storage locker. After that, it's just a duffel bag and guitar for the next year or so. Who knows what'll come of it, but it's gonna be an adventure!

"Instead of standing still
And worrying what might be the worst
Let hope jump first"