Two books I loved this year were THE CHOICE and THE GIFT both by Dr. Edith Eger. A teenage Jewish ballerina headed for the olympics who survives starvation, years at Auschwitz, Dr. Mengola’s attempted rape, hard labor and after the war is pulled from a large pile of dead bodies with a broken back. Now, at age 94, she is a world renown master therapist helping soldiers overcome post traumatic stress among other things. Dr. Eger said last week: “I guarantee you if your’e a perfectionist you’re going to procrastinate… And then the world can pass you by and they you’ll be scared.” When composing films I’m often concerned that ideas aren’t perfect enough so I stare at an empty page or later look at the finished orchestral page and see imperfections. Over the years I’ve learned to live with that uncomfortable feeling while striving for excellence. If you’re waiting for that perfect inspired idea to write a song, a book, painting or whatever, may I encourage you to just start. With effort, it will become beautiful because it’s you and there’s no one in the world quite like you.I hope you enjoy the music to “Triumph Over Fear” from Max and Me.