Living close to the natural world along the Gulf Coast reflects the art of living life, with its beauty, with its storms — with its ability to change my life. I have learned how to lead and how to follow and how to hold on and then let go, especially during the storms of life. There is rhythm to life and the closer I live to nature, the more I feel, hear and reflect what is real to me and so it is the Gulf Coast Way.
My mother grew up on a farm, for my grandfather was a farmer who worked with his hands close to the land. She taught me how to look for and see beauty in life with love for plants, for animals, and ultimately love for people.
My father was a U.S. Air Force pilot who showed me the world. As we lived with other cultures with different beliefs, I began to see the unity of man with a more universal and holistic view of life.
Between both of my parents, I see the beauty of nature, music and art.
They provided me with an almost innate ability to meet people where they are, and to move comfortably in a wide variety of social groups and in social settings.
Seeing the beauty in and living close to nature as a form of meditation, I can hear the creative still small voice inside and the eternal hum of life. This ultimately is what I believe is the song in my heart and the soundtrack of my life. But as nature changes through weather and the seasons, so did I.
Questions of love and of life were beginning to shut down my soundtrack due to the drama of life. As I began drinking in 1966, over the years, the still small voice inside became less audible. An event in 2012 directed me towards counseling where I was told that after 46 years of drinking, the counselor believed that a 62 year old man can’t change. That disbelief sent the Red Cape up in front of this Taurian Bull. This was a challenge, and the first challenge to overcome, adapt to and then achieve, was the belief that I can change to become a better person. I was told that I didn’t know music in college, put on academic probation entering grad school, and that my oxygen uptake wasn’t good enough for distance running, but I overcame the obstacles and I excelled at all three.
To experience is to know, and I know that I’m trying. “I have learned from my mistakes and I keep myself straight. I’m Trying to think about give and less about take. Think about Love and less about hate.”
The creative love of life is brighter than ever and the result is this “Swamp Mix” album. My wish is “Don’t turn out the lights.” I have miles to go, before I sleep along the Gulf Coast.
- Michael J. McCartan