dropped pins

Sometime during the winter of 2010-11, I sat with my friend Mark Powers at a bar in Salem, discussing the wonder of human relationship. Mark was telling me about a concept taught by motivational speaker Jim Rohn, where he states that a person is the average of the five people they spend the most time with. Human nature is to morph into the lifestyle, choices, language, and values of the people we are closest to. Connection is often initially made by mirroring and mimicking the behavior of others, but as more time is spent together, those behaviors and beliefs become the mode of operation of the person seeking that connection. This conversation, seven years later, has stuck with me. I can look back on the phases of my adult life, and track the changes, growth and challenges - based on the people in my closest circle. I’ve often thought of this discussion, and all the friends I’ve been so blessed to have near to my heart.

Mark is a super talented professional drummer who currently lives in Portland but performs all over the world, writes instructional drumming books, and teaches here in Salem a couple of days a week. He’s spoken and hosted at TedX events, and has a great heart for public service and humanity. He and I got together last week, for the first time in years. We spent several hours talking music, teaching, advocacy, and the relentless pursuit of life. As we talked about the many teachers and mentors who have shaped both of us as musicians, I told him that I’ve always remembered that conversation we had back in 2010, and I explained to him that I have another way to think of human relationship…. as dropped pins. 

The Apple website defines a “dropped pin” as a way to mark a location- to either get directions, or to find your way back to that place in the future. It’s a term that never existed in the days before smart phones ruled the world, but is common terminology among the tech-savvy today. As I told Mark the other night, I see certain people as “dropped pins” on the road of life. So many people come and go throughout your journey in this world - social circles and relationships are fluid and ever changing. But then there are special humans - ones that when you meet, you know you’ll never be the same, and in that moment, you drop a pin. The alliance you form changes the course of your life, and sends you on a different trajectory. And, if you drop a pin, you can always track back to those important connections, if you lose your way. The web made by tracing all the pins you drop becomes the net that catches you when you fall, providing the security we know as friendship and love. 

Perhaps you are one of my dropped pins. The friendship I share with you has the power to change my life’s path, and I pray that God may use me in some way to enrich your life as well. To be truly blessed by friendship, we must choose to reciprocate the comfort, received in trust and love.  

There is a song by an artist named Renn, called I Won’t Forget, that speaks of the lasting impact of powerful relationships. Here’s to us. May we never forget the four agreements, the five people who shape us, and the unwavering relentless love of our dropped pins. 

I won't forget, I won't forget
Every word you said
Every word you said
Before you walk down that road
Headed where, only God knows to
I'll never forget you

peace, 
Am 

{for freddy 5/29/17  .....mavericks forever. much love. xo}

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