Lessons I learned (so far) reading Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run"

Welcome back to my Blog, Gang. I have been doing some pondering and giving thanks for my family and friends the last few weeks.  I took a break, and for my birthday, I began reading Bruce's autobiography. I am only 200+ pages in but don't worry; no spoilers, after all, we all know how his story ends with BBBRRRUUUCCCEEE!

But here are some inspirational lessons from The Boss:

1. There are no shortcuts to greatness. 

2. There is no greatness without practice, practice, practice. There is the 'practice of law'; the 'practice of medicine'; the 'practice of teaching'; and the 'practice of music'. Great players play and play music. It's not called 'work'; it's called 'play' for a reason, and ya gotta play until you give blood.

3. When you start from abject poverty, there is no way but up. Yep, some are born with money and power and connections. But if all you got is raw talent and desire, 'born to run' becomes your best means of escape. 

4. When few believe in you, even one's father, you must have the fortitude to believe in yourself. And sometimes that takes a leap of faith that few of us have the courage to take.

5. There is message and there is money. One drives a person to make a difference and strike a chord with others; it has staying power. The other drives you around and around and around in a insatiable journey.

6. If you want to be great, failure is not an option; it's a necessity. You have to lose and fail to figure out why you are not as good as you think you are...or can be.

7. Heart and soul cannot be measured, but it is the key to lifelong friendship and collaboration--thus, the

 E Street band is still rockin'-- 40 years and counting.

8.  When you come from a bloodline that screams alcoholism and depression, facing those demons matters. Avoiding illegal drugs completely was a non-negotiable for Bruce. And for 22 years so was drinking. He is no saint, but when he faced a father whose alcoholism ruined his 'Pops', Bruce knew he needed to always have control of those demons. Actually, he always wanted control of a lot things--mostly his music.

9. Sex is certainly not one of his demons, but it is one of his themes.

10. Mom's matter. His mother saved him many times.As did his sisters, his wife Patti and his children.

So that's just a short list. I think all of this is metaphorical. These qualities are all a part of everyone's emotional, physical and spiritual fabric. Especially mine.