As an artist and a songwriter myself, I like to feel connected to modern culture and watch how sounds change.
John FeldmannI've learned that each day is definitely a gift. When my dad died, I made sure I said everything to him. I realized that once he's gone, he's gone. No matter how angry or resentful or whatever.
John FeldmannI meditate every day for between ten to twenty minutes. Every morning, I work out and go to the gym for an hour. I pray to the architect that designed me. I'm grateful.
John FeldmannTalking about adversity that I've walked through in my own life or hearing an artist talk about their own adversity makes me feel vulnerable.
John FeldmannThings always work out if you don't send that e-mail. That's another great life lesson: I've sent enough e-mails of just "f - k you, f - k you, f - k you" and hit send. I've learned a lot from never being able to take back that I sent that e-mail.
John FeldmannLife will always change, and I'm always thinking about how to have a good-enough attitude to roll with the changes of life, of an ever-changing landscape.
John FeldmannI love just going out; long drives, the ocean, my kids, new music, new gear, new plug-ins, coffee, and donuts at four in the morning. Even just waking up and writing.
John FeldmannYoga really helped with stress relief and just not hurting myself when I tour. It really was super helpful.
John FeldmannI've learned the idea of pausing when agitated or doubtful. I can still write the e-mail but instead of sending that e-mail to the person I'm in a fight with, more often than not these days, I just delete it. Or I run it by someone else that I trust before I send it. And then I usually laugh at the e-mail and how funny it is.
John FeldmannI try to remember at least twenty to thirty things I'm grateful for every day, and I share those with at least one person that I am super grateful for.
John FeldmannI learned that once it's over, it's really over, and to not take anything for granted.
John FeldmannI do pranayama breathing now as a meditation, and that's very helpful. Meditating changed my life.
John FeldmannWhen my son got sick and he was in the hospital, and they took out his kidney when he was less than a year old, I definitely learned that each moment is really precious and I don't want to take anything for granted.
John FeldmannWalking my dogs, playing with my kids - all of that is really good stuff to keep me centered.
John FeldmannI believe animals should be respected as citizens of this earth. They should have the right to their own freedom, their own families, and their own life.
John FeldmannProbably "I love my life" would be something I would say out loud to the planet - just that positive affirmation. And also, "Life is short," "Don't take yourself so seriously," and "Lighten the f - k up." And if that offends you, you really need to lighten the f - k up.
John FeldmannHow do I not get so wrapped up in what I think needs to happen? Going with the flow is the way to do it.
John FeldmannWhether I'm stressed out or angry or happy or depressed - however I feel, I say "I love my life," no matter what. That usually keeps me centered.
John Feldmann