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Hello there!  This blog is meant as an inspirational companion to the Guitar In 5 Minutes website, but can be applied as support in undertaking any new activity.  I hope it inspires you to start new things, try new things, and keep broadening your horizons!   And above all, keep a childlike sense of wonder.   It's a beautiful world, despite what the news might tell us! 

Beginner's Mind or Shoshin is a Zen Buddhist concept.  It refers to having no preconceptions and a spirit of openness and eagerness when undertaking any activity, just like a beginner would.   This is advisable for  to anyone even if they are very advanced in their activity.  

So today's message is:  practice a beginner's mind.  Remember how exciting it was when you got something new as a child?   Did you care whether or not you were "an expert"?   When you got a ball to play with, did you care if you could throw it farther than anyone else?   

One of my favorite books, The Artist's Way, talks about how, in the long run, enthusiasm is more important than discipline in any creative activity.  Discipline can be great in short bursts, but to sustain a creative life, you will need to be enthusiastic about what you are doing.  

So get psyched!  I know it's hard if you are working a crappy job that you hate to make ends meet and life seems like an endless stream of frustrations, disappointments, and hurts.   Find one thing to be excited about today.  Find one thing that you can apply your "beginner's mind" to.   Leave your jaded, cynical, sarcastic self in the coffeehouse with Ginsberg.   Today we are excited, and we are on our way!