When I was a kid I remember the day Mark Foo died. This revolutionary big wave surfer never came up after riding his wave in. It was as if this liquid mountain was his chariot to the world beyond. He was riding in his passion and will always live on in the hall of greats. As a kid I grew up surfing on the east end of Long Island. Montauk is the place that I consider my birthplace–where I learned who I was. Spiritual is how I felt the day I heard Mark Foo died doing what he loved. I didn’t think about his beliefs, his status, or his bank account. I thought about a man who was in one moment living out his purpose and then the next literally ceased to exist. He was a hero to me and that is because fear could not follow him where he was going. I like the idea of living without that fear.
Snowboarding has become a metaphor in my life for controlling fear. If I am riding down the mountain, I am glancing at what is ahead so I don’t run right off a cliff, but mostly I am focused on every passing second–enjoying the ride. When I stop to think about what might happen if I fall, then that’s exactly what happens. I fall. When I focus on actually getting to where I am going and in the style I wish to do so, I get there. That is how you get to where you are going. We are all creating our own realities. Every second, we are our own Gods of how we see ourselves. When I am snowboarding, I am in control. As I sit here writing this blog and packing for my New Year’s trip to Aspen, I think about what we fear and I laugh in its face because we all know it’s not real. We are the creators of our destiny and we should all ride the mountain confident in what we are doing-we are just people searching for some fun in this world for a bit, while we visit.
Top moments of my 2009
I am truly happy when I am on the stage and this year I played close to 200 shows so I will always remember this year as a great one. I have been so blessed to me et so many amazing people out there.
New Years Day. One of the best days of my life. I started by meditating for the first time that day and then Snowboarded the back country in Aspen. I feel like I found truths and secrets to my life that day and have been different ever since.
January 7th My birthday was spent debuting my band and my new songs to a small sold out club in nyc.
March 2009 after touring extensively we came back to my hometown and sold out The Bowery Ballroom. Its where I grew up seeing shows so for me it was a dream come true.
The day I saw the video for my song “Breathe” completed. It was so special to me to have this video be the visual to a song that truly means the world to me.
Happy Holidays and check here for more on our special Guest Artist Ryan Star
Twitter Updates
This one has made me think like none of your blogs before, Ryan. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing yourself with us through your music and your words.
Comment by hiedi ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Thanks for the inspiration. My 1159 tattoo is my reminder.
Comment by Mandy ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
- March 2009 after touring extensively we came back to my hometown and sold out The Bowery Ballroom. Its where I grew up seeing shows so for me it was a dream come true. -
I am thrilled you listed this as a memory because it is definitely one of mine. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your 2009, Ryan.
What a year, there is no way to describe it. I’ve travelled over 25,000 miles to places I never imagined I’d be in. I met people who I consider family. I followed this guy we both know who just makes me happy. Through him, I was able to get to know you better, which has not only been a constant through 2009, but has made my life better.
You inspire me and remind me each day that I can. Whatever it is, I can. That means everything. Thank you, Ryan.
be strong and
be brave and
begin you story.
Comment by Cat ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Living without fear is what your idea of 11:59 really means. Not easy to do, especially for me. But I’m trying now – something I’ve never bothered to do before. And it’s partly because of your inspiration, Mr. Ryan Star. Don’t ever forget that the music you make and the person you are affects the people you come in contact with… you’ve certainly affected me for the better. Thanks for that.
Comment by Beth ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Congrats Ryan. One of my best memories this year is the show you did in Elyria Ohio on the eve of the breathe video debut. You were so excited and hearing you play breathe on the piano that night was BREATHTAKING.Thank you for what you do.
Comment by Emily ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Ryan, good to read about your inspirations. When you play and sing, also you are in control – and you inspire so many people. You inspire me!
BREATHE closed with gold key!
Love from Brazil.
Comment by Solange ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Ryan,
I love your blogs because it’s like getting a small peek into your world. But it’s more than that…
Your blogs are truly an inspiration, and especially this one. I have to admit I never thought of sport, surfing or snowboarding this way. You have a way of making the random things in life sound so unique. Thank you for that.
Comment by shaniah3 ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Ryan- Very inspirational writing! I believe that if we live in fear, it holds us back from living out our dreams and our full potential. I liked what you wrote about meditating, I think it will be something new that I try. I am thankful to have been able to see you perform twice this year and look forward to seeing you again in 2010!
Comment by Kim ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 04:12 pm
Ryan, thank you for sharing your best moment’s of 2009 with us. You are a one of a kind star and I wish you the best in 2010.
Comment by juliana ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 05:12 pm
Ryan you are truly an inspiration. I love reading these blogs and feeling like we get to see a small part of what makes you or has made you the person you are today. I hope this next year brings you many more memorable moments and you enjoy your time in Aspen!
Comment by Meg ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 07:12 pm
It was a pleasure being at one of your top moments of 2009 (your b-day). My first trip to NYC. Since I was only there for one night, i can truly say I haven’t seen NYC during the day, but someday I will.
Happy New Year. 2010 will be even better than 09.
Comment by deb ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 08:12 pm
We create our own destiny, and we create our own fear. It’s a personal choice which to feed, and that is a hard lesson to learn I think.
Altruism is a word I hope makes for a real “ride the wave” experience in 2010. It’s an 11:59 moment worth waiting for. As is Ryan Star.
Comment by Meagan ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 09:12 pm
Ryan, It is so special to get to know you more through these blogs. Your music speaks to me like no other and I really appreciate the time you’ve given to this blog and your openess and sharing your personal life and emotions with us. It is interesting how what you’ve been writing really strikes a chord in me. I have had a really tough year, especially since August and the past 3 months. The greatest day of my year and probably my life was December 18! When I found out you were opening a show for Rob Thomas on my bday, I knew I had to be there & through a dear friend it became a reality. She wanted me to find myself again & my happy spirit! Your kindness to me and all the fun I had with you after the show will never be forgotten! I’m sorry I keep bringing up my trip to NYC, but it followed the day after your show and really has changed my life! I almost didn’t get to go because if that blizzard that arrived, but I didn’t give up & took a 3 hr train ride to the city! I thought I only had 12 hrs to be there so I lived it up! I truly had no fear and walked in a blizzard from Madison square to times square & Rockefeller center. My friend had had enough & went back to hotel, but I was determine to go to the pizza place you told me about & took a cab in NYC by myself at 1am in a blizzard & felt no fear! My trip was extended the following day b/c of flight cancellations & I got to explore the city by walking all over it! (so thankful I had my snowboots!) Being a Texas girl, everyone tried to make me fearful of NYC, but I wouldn’t allow myself to think of that. This trip taught me so much about myself and I stayed positive ( even giddy ) through all the craziness and didn’t allow myself to worry about falling and had the most amazing happy and fearless time! I know it’s not as adventurous as snowboarding, but your thoughts and ideas about thinking about fear & it causing you to fall is something I relate to so much from that trip! I just hope I can take this feeling into the new year and really discover what my 11:59 is! Thanks for sharing your amazing gift of expressing yourself through words and music with us all! It shows that you are doing what you truly love! Have a blast snowboarding & Merry Christmas! I know you are going to have the greatest new year ever! This is your moment!!!
Comment by Lia ///// Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Ah yes, “carpe diem”. I love reading your blogs and listening to your music. I can’t wait for an opportunity to come to one of your concerts.
Comment by pattieann (ph246) ///// Saturday, December 26th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm