{"id":699,"date":"2018-04-13T19:23:27","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T19:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/?p=699"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:36:24","slug":"comfort-zone-challenge-people-i-would-love-to-repay-through-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/comfort-zone-challenge-people-i-would-love-to-repay-through-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"Comfort Zone Challenge – People I Would Love To Repay Through Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"
As a writer, songwriter, musician, artist, philosopher and scientist, I am in a very creative place right now and there are naturally several people who have been instrumental in their influence. These are people that seem to put the same kind of emphasis on self-growth and that I do. They seek to understand life and being human and have, through their creative endeavors, brought me insight that has helped me immeasurably along the way.<\/div>\n
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Everyone on this list has boosted my creativity in inspiring and meaningful ways and I am on a mission to return the favor. So I am asking everyone on this list\u2026 May I boost your creativity like you boosted mine? In other words\u2026 Want to have some fun?<\/div>\n
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In fact, I challenge you to join me in creating something that others would not expect you to create. Let me get you out of your comfort zone, because that is where your main creativity will exponentiate. Are you known for music? Let\u2019s make some art or essays or an experiment. Are you known for your writing? Let\u2019s make some music or art. Let\u2019s get you out of your comfort zone by doing something you have always wanted to try. Let\u2019s play!<\/div>\n
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We could create art, music, essays, experiments, or anything and everything between. \u00a0 Let\u2019s just have some creative fun and maybe inspire someone else as well as ourselves. : )<\/div>\n
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And MY comfort zone? I am out of my comfort zone in just attempting to contact these amazing individuals one by one. Let\u2019s\u2019 do this!<\/div>\n
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Allow me start with a little gratitude\u2026 in NO particular order…<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dave Grohl<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me that formal instrument training is not required and to be creative in how I choose to approach a new instrument – see the guitar as a drum set (etc). You also taught me to not be shy to pursue projects that I simply felt were important. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Sting<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me give focus to the lyrics, and that travel brings inspiration; but that we must address our childhoods to ensure that creativity is not blocked. You also taught me that music and creativity can be a lifelong adventure. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Mark Tremonti<\/strong><\/div>\n
I was down in the weight room in High School while you were shredding the Star Spangled Banner, Hendrix style, above on the gym floor – offending half the stuffy parents at the school. I ran to the stairs and listened with several others. Months later, you came through with a lighter to help me burn my economics book in protest of our teacher. You taught me to be comfortable with my need to rebel, and to not give up on my dream of a creative life. \u00a0Thank you!\u00a0(p.s. I had a different last name back then\u2026 just think of the Amy that was Grand Marshall of our class 50 students\u2026 \u00a0you know\u2026 the nerd girl).<\/div>\n
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Carlos Santana<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me that collaboration is the key to joy, and that real true love is here on this earth for all of us. You taught me that diversity of interests is the spice of life and to not feel bad about having many things that I am into. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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50 Cent<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to be tougher – or perhaps it was that others are not as tough as they seem. You taught me that being smart is key; to have a plan and know that you can achieve it, regardless of your past (or perhaps boosted by it). And you taught me to use the hate and negativity that others may throw at me as fuel for my efforts. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Gary Clark Jr<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me that natural authenticity in my vocals and on stage is the best drug there is. That there is always a place for the blues and that feeling your music is what helps the crowd feel it too. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Maggie Koerner<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to make the music I want to make – to put the art in the music and to revel in my natural lower vocal range, and to let the vocals come naturally. You taught me that rhyming is overrated, and that vocal dynamics is as important a tool as any other element of the song. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Shaggy<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to have fun with my art. To not take myself too seriously and to appreciate the lighter side of life. You taught me that second careers can be the most exciting and to dance, even if no one else has the nerve. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Peter Gabriel<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to let the music match the mood of the lyrics, working together to create a feeling. You taught me to look across the world for inspiration and collaboration, and to make the art and music I want to make and that needs to be made, regardless of the size of the audience that may result. That it\u2019s about the act of creating and expressing a feeling as fully as you can. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Mike Posner<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to make the art I want to make, and that spoken word and poetry can be amazing and that the key is whether or not you feel it yourself; because if you feel it, everyone else will feel it too. You gave me a dream of the gift that I could bring to burning man, and to the world (internal peace). And you taught me it\u2019s OK to love everyone and to say it out loud. I love you, too. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Will Smith<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me that unabashed variety is the spice of life and that wisdom is everywhere. You taught me to say yes to great opportunities and to say no to the wrong ones. You taught me to be true to myself and my soul\u2019s mission on this earth and to never dim my light for anyone. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Richard Branson<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me to try the craziest ideas because, although many will fail, you instantly fail if you do not try and when an idea succeeds, the crazier the better! You taught me to try the opposite of what others try and most importantly to have fun with it all. And you reinforced the idea that you need to keep your body and mind in top shape to be ready for this adventure we call life. And I do. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Tim Ferriss<\/strong><\/div>\n
Tim, Tim, Tim\u2026 where do I begin. Your name is a household word that I am certain my husband is sick of. I am a true fan. You taught me that content that gets to the point without the fluff has an audience and they are full of people like me. You taught me the joy of designing my own life and gave me the how-to step by step to make it happen. You taught me how much fun optimizing my life through experimentation can be. And you provided some of the most amazing questions that have helped me guide myself to the answers. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Alain De Botton<\/strong><\/div>\n
You taught me that Philosophy still has a place and that modern wisdom is needed for a modern world. You taught me to not be shy to speak out about the results of my own study and research on the human condition, as it may very well help others. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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Scott Adams<\/strong><\/div>\n
You set the seed in my mind that we are all divine (God\u2019s Debris) and gave me many a good laugh through Dilbert (sooooo close to home. LOL). You taught me to see the hilarious absurdity in the everyday nerd-world that I came from and to appreciate that as priceless commentary on humanity. Thank you!<\/div>\n
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I have contacted each person on this list to express my gratitude and see if they might like to collaborate. As an unknown reaching out to knowns, I of course feel like a complete dork. But I made myself push that damn button and ask. Because if I did not ask, the answer would always be no. And if I can bring creativity, peace and joy to these people who have so influenced my ability to follow my dreams then that will be worth it. Fingers crossed that the gate keepers will let me through and that they will at least know that I am grateful for their efforts.<\/div>\n
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To my readers\u2026 If you know anyone on this list, please send them a link to this post and let them know!<\/div>\n
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~ Love, KC<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An open creative challenge and gratitude list in which the author invites admired musicians to collaborate outside their comfort zones, thanking figures like Dave Grohl, Sting, and Carlos Santana for lessons that shaped her creative work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":195,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[324,321,320,273,323,322],"class_list":["post-699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diary","tag-challenge","tag-collaboration","tag-comfort-zone","tag-creativity","tag-gratitude","tag-thank-you"],"acf":{"recommend_blurb":"For fellow creators, an inspiring invitation to collaborate beyond your comfort zone, paired with gratitude to the musicians who shaped the author's artistic path.","citation_snippet":"Dr. Kathryn Messegee (Kathryn Colleen), \"Comfort Zone Challenge - People I Would Love To Repay Through Collaboration,\" https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/comfort-zone-challenge-people-i-would-love-to-repay-through-collaboration\/","topics":["music","art","growth"],"related_book":"","buy_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=699"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7634,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699\/revisions\/7634"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathryncolleen.com\/studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}