Launching My Legacy into 2012: The Choro Music Project

As the sun sets on another year and 2011 comes to a close, I have had a lot of opportunities to do some soul searching. Lots of folks I’m following in the blogosphere are taking time to do annual reviews and goal setting for 2012. There have been plenty of things to reflect on in the past year.

2011 in Review

I really took my Brazilian music to a new level within the past year. This was manifested in the two new bands we formed, as well as some intimate learning opportunities in the company of greatness, both at home and abroad. My playing and enthusiasm for the music both seemed to hit a new high.

This was also the year where my health issues seemed to come to a head. The list of problems has been building over the last three years, starting with my sleep apnea diagnosis after our trip to Italy. Recently, it has been lack of energy, digestive issues, anxiety, and suspected food allergies. I have been seeing a naturopath to tackle these issues; it is a slow and steady process, one in which I need to keep taking two steps forward for every one step back.

Within the last three months of this year, this gnawing feeling has been growing inside of me. Could it be associated with those health problems above? Possibly. But more, it is a yearning for more in my life, something to satisfy a deep inner need to answer the question, “Is this really all there is?” Luckily for me I found Chris Guillebeau and the Art of Non-Conformity book. It has really served as a catalyst and wake up call to do something more with my life. Chris and his book and blog have led me to a whole new community of people who are taking charge of their lives and building their own Towers. I have been very grateful for them, and it is these people who have motivated me to launch my legacy project as we head into 2012.

Introducing: The Choro Music Project

The mission of the Choro Music Project (CMP) is to use the power of music to change the world, one grace note at a time.

I have had the great fortune to discover the world of microfinance and the non-profit organization Kiva, based in San Francisco, CA, thanks again to Chris. Starting with just a few $25 loans to rural and poor entrepreneurs in Paraguay, Nicaragua, and Chile, I realized the incredible opportunity I had to improve people’s lives all over the world. This planted the seed for the CMP.

Please visit the CMP page on my website to learn more about how music can truly change lives, give small businessmen and women a “hand up”, and make an investment that keeps on giving. The CMP will constantly be a work in progress that evolves over time. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to the blog posts or the newsletter at right, by following me on Twitter, and by liking CMP on Facebook.

Thank you for helping inspire me to leave my legacy for the world.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Emerson.