The Truth about Friendship

Over the past week, I've been on a trip to visit a studio in Florida that just so happened to be connected to an event where 4 other gentleman would attend. These band of brothers were formed similar to the story of Wizard of Oz.

If you remember....

Dorothy was a young lady that had a great friend in Toto. She and toto met, presumably, when they were younger some fateful day where Toto was chosen or to Toto, where Dorothy was chosen. The two became friends for some time until a day where a tornado took them away to some far off land. Upon entering this new undiscovered land, they go off on an adventure where they'll meet the most exciting of characters.

A Tin Man, A Scarecrow, A Lion and A Wizard.

There's a debate as to which character is which friend, but that's another story.

As for the Wizard of Oz, it tells only one story. In the parallel of the analogical story I'm describing, the story doesn't end there. In this story, the 5 go off and experience a multitude of adventures that carry them all across the nation, internationally and ending ultimately in creating a bond with a pact (a band if you will) that would cement the friendship forever.

With this band, they will travel performing much like a traveling circus would, but rather with guitars, drums and microphones (sometimes with animals). Then one day, someone decides to hire the whole entire circus to perform under one roof for 2 days (never been done before). How would it be knowing that you've deliberately put a circus filled with Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion and Wizard under one roof?

If you were that person, you would have no idea what experience a band of 5 would make, other than the hope that it would be an amazing experience. But to the band of 5, they knew exactly what it would be... EPIC!

And EPIC it was.

The Hip Doctors band practice back in 2019

Having an opportunity to get together with these group of guys was like reuniting the band back together again. After Covid, we hadn't seen each other since 2019. It was an exciting moment for the 5 of us to spend time with one another. And that's when the lesson hit me. Seeing my friends was like experiencing the 5 levels of brainwaves.

Gamma (Heightened Awareness)- this is where we met each other for the first time. Excited, talking over one another, loud and downright insane. Lots of bro hugs and laughter. Anyone and everyone that entered the room was met by an insane high level of energy.

Beta (Focused)- each mini trip had a moment where we each got to spend time together individually. This is where we got to take a moment and ask about how life is, how are things with more than just a typical answer of good and fine. It was a moment for us to get to know the general idea of what was going on with each other's lives.

Alpha (Relaxed Focus)- Once we each got to have one on one time, we got to hang out at the common area, where we got to have deeper conversations and get to chat in a more relaxed setting. I love these times because where most of my memories of friendship come from. And for a dorky high schooler who didn't have a huge group of friends growing up, it meant the most to collect a set of memories that could create that.

Theta (Meditative Relaxation)- Once the energy is brought down, the meaning of each action and conversation comes from an even deeper point. One on one conversations got to a point where you can get philosophical and create deeper meaning with actions. Having those moments with anyone, a friend, a partner, whatever, gives one the opportunity to really think from a different level and share vulnerabilities that one might not have an opportunity to in another brain wave length or energetic setting.

Delta (Deep Sleep)- this was reserved for what happens after you leave the company of friends like these. Deep sleep is never had while in the company for many reasons, but to name a few...

1. You don't want to miss a moment and make it last for as long as you can

2. If you do sleep first, there's no telling what the other 4 will do to you when you are asleep.

Each of us have a relationship similar to this story that we can relate to. How many of us never really get the opportunity to take it to that deep a level. If you have the opportunity, notice the different levels you get to when you meet with that person and then try to meet consistently enough that get you to a deeper level if you wish.

If you are saying to yourself, I don't have anyone like that in my life, chances are you do. You just aren't looking hard enough. In the movie The Professional, star Jean Reno played a lone assassin who at the end of his life and career befriended an unsuspecting kid. Even the most lone assassin found a friend in the most suspecting place. You just have to look from a different set of eyes to find it.

When you do, I't be curious to see what it would be like to take it through the 5 levels. You'll never know what kind of band mates you'll find.

The kind of band mates that you can cement a bond around.

Cheers,

JG