The Notes with Andrew Nemr: The Vault

When a Root is Severed

Andrew Nemr — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 05:00:29 GMT

There is a learning that happens that’s deeper than stuff. Past all the information, and beyond all the experiences. There is a learning that goes to the formation of a person. The stuff of character. Who they are and how they will be in the world.

It’s happening all the time, but where? Who is deemed responsible in society for this formation of characte…

Close Your Eyes

Andrew Nemr — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 05:00:07 GMT

I was at the mixing session for the new Holler Jake (@hollerjakemusic) record when the engineer began to turn down all the lights in the room. I looked up from where I was to make sure everything was okay. The engineer said, “Sorry man, I just had to make it a little darker. I hear better that way."

The human body is an amazing creation. It does things o…

The Shadow

Andrew Nemr — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 05:00:22 GMT

Shadows are interesting. They have a reputation of being related to darkness, evil, mystery, etc., but not always. The common phrase, “they cast a long shadow,” has to do with a person’s reach and influence, but is used most commonly after someone has past away. The shadow cast by a tree provides cover from the heat of the sun. We give the shadows cast …

Forever

Andrew Nemr — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 05:00:40 GMT

I had a recent moment of revelation when watching the documentary, I Called Him Morgan, about jazz trumpeter and composer Lee Morgan. The moment occurred during an interview with composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recounting his time with Morgan while in the studio for a series of quintessential recordings for Blue Note Records, Shorter describes t…

When you miss a day

Andrew Nemr — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 05:00:57 GMT

Some streaks go the distance. The first 21 days of a new habit, new route to work, new personal routine, workout, or eating habit, are often the hardest. But if the goal is to make something permanent, then the first 21 days is just the beginning.

A few weeks ago I started a personal challenge after reading this blog post by Seth Godin. My personal chall…

Close the Loop

Andrew Nemr — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 05:00:56 GMT

You can tell when someone isn't paying attention. When they are distracted while you're in their company. You can sense a shift. Something is different about them. Something changes in how you are around them.

There was a time when it was easier to tell whether the distraction was something major (a loved one's illness or death, financial burdens, etc.),…

The Beginner's Mind

Andrew Nemr — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 05:00:19 GMT

I walk on stage and it's time to perform. The audience expects that I know what I'm doing, and show them. This is all correct. However, on a macro level, this heightens the value of confidence and familiarity while diminishing the value of questioning and surprise discovery. It becomes more important to be well rehearsed than open to possibilities.

The m…

Fast, Strong, and Loud

Andrew Nemr — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 05:00:19 GMT

There are easy ways to get attention. Be the fastest, strongest, or loudest. This works in sports, arts, and business. You'll impress people with your super human speed and strength, and be sure to be heard and seen with your loudness.

But while you zoom by you might miss something beautiful. Your display of strength might cultivate a spartan culture. An…

Sitting with a Question

Andrew Nemr — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 05:00:32 GMT

Some questions are too big to answer. Maybe there’s too much nuance and complexity for the kind of answer that we want. Or maybe an answer simply doesn't exist yet. When you hit one of those questions what do you do?

Do you have a practice that gives you perspective, peace, energy? Is it physical or meditative, distractive or divergent? Does the practice…

The Minority Report

Andrew Nemr — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 05:00:26 GMT

Not every man is a sexual predator. Not every woman is a feminist. Not every white person is racist. Not every person who identifies as a minority is oppressed.

The stories we are often told have a way of summarizing with sweeping generalizations. The generalizations are rooted in truth, of course, but ignore and ultimately suppress any divergent narrati…

What about the kids?

Andrew Nemr — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 05:00:58 GMT

Have you ever wondered about what kids actually see and hear? Parents witness kids ability to soak up the world around them, imitating words and actions, and often change their own preferences for the sake of the children.

What if we all felt that responsibility? Sesame Street sure did. So did Mr. Rogers. But responsibility doesn't start in the instituti…

Different Advice

Andrew Nemr — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 05:00:19 GMT

Find your voice. Choose your path. Self-Actuate. Create your world. All of these pieces of advice have one thing in common. They are about you, not us. They stop (and may even fail) the moment you have to relate with others. Yet, we can learn a lot about ourselves in the context of relationship - maybe more so than in isolation.

So why isn't the advice w…

Being a Witness

Andrew Nemr — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 05:00:13 GMT

Have you ever been called upon to be a witness? When that happens someone is saying that they trust you. They trust that you will say what you know to be true and not anything more or less. Your character and reputation may have spoken to them of your consistency in doing so.

We are all walking witnesses of the moments we have succeeded (and failed) to e…

Our work

Andrew Nemr — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 05:00:19 GMT

The idea of being yoked is unattractive. Wearing a heavy harness around your neck, tied to heavy load that you are tasked with pulling, doesn’t sound like anyone’s idea of a good time. Unless, that is, we were made for work.

Not a job, but work. A particular purpose that only you, with your history, disposition, and skills, could accomplish. That is our …

Start with Questions

Andrew Nemr — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 05:00:37 GMT

Politics is usually off the table. We're told to avoid the topic at gatherings for fear of the ramifications - heated debate, anger, broken dishes, etc. This kind of avoidance doesn't make sense in today's culture.

Many of us don't live in communities with homogenous views. If we do, those communities might be facing changes in demographic makeup, expres…