Thrive On Creativity

We're excited to explore with you our first creative medley. This episode is a jazzy mix of creative funks that explore the galaxies of limiting boarders, young hearts, childlike dreams, observations from within, success via failure, and freedom through discipline. Enjoy... Music: Gjova - Pure Oxygen Let’s connect: www.gjova.com

We all play a role in the dance of infinity within the cosmos. We’re silent companions in the play of the stars. Exploring life and discovering how to live it is something we need to learn ourselves. It's about finding home within ourselves. The discovery that I made thus far is to live in fullness, to give myself the opportunity to fulfill all my potential, express the being that I am with all its creativity, uniqueness, flaws, craziness, beauty, and play a role in the infinite dance of the cosmos. Like you, I am a companion in the play of stars. How I spend my time is how I live my life, and it's so freaking vital to take control of it and not waste it. Time, that's all there is. The interplay of time and your attention within it. That's all we have, and it's right now. It's happening in this very moment as I'm writing these words to express myself hoping to share my thoughts with you and maybe creating a spark of inspiration. Otherwise, we end up serving the purpose of something else. It's about how we allocate the attention that we have at any given time. It's a limited resource, as there is just so much time, and only this one attention we set our mind to. So how do we decide to invest in our time to experience life? Our life is made up of experiences, and these are determined by the way we think and feel; our thoughts and emotions. If you really want the freedom to live, then you better make the fullest use of your time and create experiences that are worth living. If you really think you’re taking a risk by just going for something you feel so deeply about, then shift your perspective and think again. Different thoughts, different emotions, different experiences, a different life, but time is still now. If that's the price I pay, then the risk of not dreaming the dream is a lot higher to me and not worth the price. If I am not willing to take the risk of discovering the person I truly am, the expression of my whole being, I am risking so much more than just security. I am risking everything I am and all I have to give to the world. We don’t only owe this to ourselves, no. The expression of our whole being is our individual contribution to the beauty of the world; it’s our experience of the cosmos. We better start at once to try or else we will only be left with the achievement of a derivative life. The illusion of living a life. If that is what you’re aiming for, I accept and leave you with this fulfilled dream. But if you are burning for a life to experience the cosmos, then please go on and beyond. That burning that ignites us and that we pursue determines and shapes the kind of self that we are to become. It gives meaning to one's existence. By not pursuing it, much room for improvement is what's left. Now look at this empty room. That's you. All I see is a massive deal of opportunity and creative potential. Step inside and sense the burning. Take it from there. Feels like a challenge? It better. That means you give yourself the opportunity to stretch yourself, to get seriously hooked on it, and build a passion for it. A passion that allows you to thrive even during some of the most challenging times. You find a home within yourself and enter a new world. A world that you have created just by purely setting your mind into gear. By doing that, you give yourself a chance to watch your abilities grow and bear fruit. In almost every situation life throws at us is a possibility for growth. All of your resources and abilities are stored in a never-ending theater full of what makes you play your solo in an orchestra of stars, and the world will listen. It's about time to find home within yourself. Music: Gjova – Closing Shades Let’s connect: www.gjova.com

Pete Jacobson is a cellist, chamber musician, and performing artist from Los Angeles. In 2013 he won a Grammy for best Latin Rock Alternative or Urban Album as a member of the group Quetzal. Pete has recorded cello for Dr. Dre and frequently plays alongside the San Diego Symphony. Besides collaborating with artists, he also records for movies and tv, including The Walking Dead. During this episode we talk about: The freedom discipline creates Tibetan monks and throat singing Indian drones The appreciation for instruments The influence that collaboration can have All the things we want to do in life Random stories The beauty of having a childlike heart Inspirations we get from surrounding ourselves with others Of course, we touched Flow Pete Jacobson: www.peteplayscello.com Gjova: www.gjova.com

I had the pleasure to chat with violinist, composer, and producer Eric Gorfain from Los Angeles. Eric has long focused on bridging the worlds of classical and rock music. His early professional days were spent as a violinist in the recording studios of Tokyo, followed by a stint as concertmaster for Jimmy Page & Robert Plant's Unledded tour, inspiring him to create The Section Quartet, which quickly became an in-demand studio ensemble for rock, pop & rap artists. Along the way he learned the craft of string arranging, contributing his sensibility to albums by a wide range of artists such as Foo Fighters, Christina Aguilera, James Blunt, Kanye West, Sam Phillips, Band of Horses, Def Leppard, Tesla, Sean Lennon, A Perfect Circle, Cassandra Wilson, Snow Patrol, Neil Diamond, Fiona Apple, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Kelly Clarkson, Banks, Robbie Williams, and REM, just to name a few. Eric has published several rock string quartet arrangements of songs by Radiohead, Coldplay and Elvis Presley, with plans to publish more titles on the horizon. During this episode we talked about the importance of creating routines, having active recovery phases, building resilience, embracing failure in order to succeed, and also about green tea. Enjoy the ride… For more information go to Eric’s website: www.ericgorfain.com Let's connect: www.gjova.com

Welcome to THRIVE ON CREATIVITY. Creativity is the cornerstone of remaking the world. It’s our unique defined trait that lets us thrive within the 21st century. We’re here to share with you a jazzy mix of a creative funk. People with backgrounds in various areas such as art, science, business, sports, join me to discuss the meaning of creativity and flow. Creativity and flow are about dropping limitations and pushing off borders to see the amazing places our creative abilities might bring us to. We’re glad you’re here to join us on this creative journey. From the heart, we’re deeply grateful for your creativity. Let's THRIVE ON CREATIVITY together... Music: Gjova – Pure Oxygen Let’s connect: www.gjova.com

Thanks for tuning in. I’m stoked you’re here. This is the second episode of THRIVE ON CREATIVITY and it’s a great one. This is the first interview I did for the show, and it is definitely a very special one to me. I had the great pleasure and honor to chat with Shayanne, Gemma, Danny, Osric, Theodore, Alison, Scarlett, Adella, Jolie, Raeva, Michael, and Josephine from the The West Los Angeles Children's Choir. The kids and I collaborated on a couple of projects in the past. I had such a blast. Ever since I first listened to Pink Floyd’s - The Wall while I was young, I was hooked by the wall of sound of kids singing. And finally, these young creative hearts fulfilled a child’s dream for me and I’m deeply touched and grateful for their creativity. I was impressed and inspired by their mindsets. Even though they’re still young, they know all too well how important it is to have dedicated practice and a growth mindset. In this episode we talk about music, we talk about passion, we talk about the thing that we all love wholeheartedly and giving all we’ve got to it. Get ready to feel inspired by these kids. You bet I am. Enjoy… Music: Gjova – Pure Oxygen Let’s connect: www.gjova.com

Hal Stephens is a professional composer with more than 20 years of experience. He is a graduate of the UCLA Ext Film Scoring Program and also the in-house composer for DL Music – a full-service production music library. He has scored everything from film and animation to television, commercials, trailers, and more. Enjoy the creative journey… Hal Stephens: www.halstephens.com Music: Gjova – Pure Oxygen Let’s connect: www.gjova.com