This blog post’s headline might have you scratching your head wondering, what does gratefulness have to do with being a DJ?
In my opinion, quite a lot!
I’ve always been a connector. Even in high school I enjoyed networking, getting to know people, taking care of people. And before I became a professional DJ, I worked in hospitality as a host. It was a natural fit for a people-person like me. The whole DJ profession developed organically from my hospitality background.
My love for people and hosting drove my passion towards DJing in the event world. It has always allowed me to take care of people through my other love – MUSIC! I’m able to create a space alive with energy and an atmosphere that gives people the freedom and comfort to cut loose and have fun.
That’s great, Romin, but I still don’t get the connection.
Before I get into the nitty gritty details of how gratefulness has made me a better DJ, let me share some pretty interesting gratitude facts with you.
How Gratitude Makes All of Us Better People
Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology and the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, says that gratitude is good for our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.
Through a series of studies, Emmons and his colleagues found that gratefulness leads to a host of benefits:
Physical
- Lower blood pressure
- Stronger immune system
- Longer, more refreshing sleep cycles
Psychological
- Optimistic outlook
- Higher levels of positive emotions
- Feel more alert
- Find more pleasure in life
- Feel happier overall
Social
- More forgiving, helpful, generous, and compassionate
- Feel less lonely and isolated
Taking all of these benefits into mind, you can probably see how gratefulness can impact anyone in any business. The social benefits alone are significant for those of us in the event industry.
But let me go a little further into how practicing gratitude has specifically made me an awesome wedding DJ.
I celebrate the present moment.
Our minds love new things, changes, novelty. That’s why falling in love, shopping, and visiting new places feels like an adrenaline rush. But soon after, we adapt to the positive changes and the newness wears off. The circumstance/person/thing doesn’t feel so exciting anymore.
But gratitude helps us appreciate what we already have. It helps us appreciate the value of an experience, a person, a material thing. And the more we value something, the more benefits we get from it. Plus, we’re less likely to take things for granted.
Feeling grateful allows me to be fully present. It helps me notice and appreciate what’s happening around me. Just as a diamond reflects light and color, gratitude reflects positive emotions. It magnifies the beauty and happiness and pleasures of life.
Gratefulness helps me become more than a mere spectator at your wedding. I become a participant. I value the time we have together. I celebrate alongside you because I know that it’s a fleeting moment and one to be treasured.
I can roll with the punches.
Things don’t always go as planned. Little snafus happen. But grateful people react to stress differently and recover from stressful events more quickly. They see things from a different perspective, which allows them to interpret and transform negative events into positive ones.
Gratitude allows me to be a better DJ because I’m able to remain flexible and go with the flow because I understand that, whatever “negative” thing happens, it’s just a moment in time. And it’s nothing that can’t be dealt with in a positive manner.
Work is play.
There’s this song by Dirty Heads called “Vacation”. One of the repeating lyrics is:
A-a-ay, I’m on vacation
Every single day ’cause I love my occupation
Let me tell you that it’s a super cool thing to love what you do for a living. And I LOVE what I do. Work has its challenges, for sure, but the obstacles are worth it because I get to play with music on the daily. I get to bring people together through music, create the environment, and be a part of a really important day in people’s lives. What more could a person ask for?
I value relationships.
I’m so grateful for where I am in life and for the people who have helped me get here. I’ve met so many amazing people and created a network of friends, clients, and teammates who have enriched, and continue to enrich, my life as a DJ and as a person.
I value the relationship I have with the couples who entrust their time and vision with me. I take our time together seriously. One, because life’s too short and weddings are too expensive to mess up. And two, and most importantly, because I’m honored to be a part of your wedding day.
I have a real appreciation for life and taking it one day at a time. I’m grateful that I’m able to do what I love and serve people at the same time. All of this fuels my passion and shapes my mindset and the approach I take with clients.
Your wedding day doesn’t happen twice, no day does, so I’m passionate about making it the best day it can be. I’m right there alongside you, celebrating, throwing my hands into the air, and enjoying every last moment.
COMMENTS