I’m finally coming around to realizing that the value of “stop and smell the roses” can’t truly be overstated.

For so long I’ve harbored this insatiable desire to be constantly on the move, whether it be to position myself in any number of social circles or just simply driving aimlessly for the sake of distraction and an ever-changing scenery.

As has so often been the case from past experience, my mind has a frustrating tendency to act as both my greatest asset and worst enemy. It frequently acts most efficiently as the latter when I allow myself to simply sit at home with nothing to keep me company but my own thoughts.

But regardless of my extroverted cravings, there is most definitely such a thing as overdoing it; and I feel I may have reached my limit after a record number of downtown excursions over the course of the past month — weeknights included. When getting myself mentally prepared to go out becomes a chore, and my brain is telling me that sleep would be the most wonderful thing that could possibly happen in my life, I feel I should probably take those as indicators that maybe some “Gavin time” wouldn’t be the worst idea.

As I previously mentioned, “Gavin time” isn’t always productive time; but if I can force myself into a situation where going out is the less desirable option, I can then force myself to take that alone time and treat like a form of rehabilitation. That especially becomes the case when I do things that engage my attention in a proactive way, like playing my guitar or reading.

Plus, there’s the added bonus that maybe, just maybe, I could be in bed by 1 a.m. and subsequently get my desired minimum of six hours of sleep so as to be functional the next morning.

A handful of these moments have arisen since Sunday. Granted, I still have something going on practically every night of the week, but I haven’t been looking for other people or social activities with which to fill the gaps as much. Maybe half the time.

Anyway, what it comes down to is I’m learning to implement a balancing act and appreciate the time I have to myself. It’s no good when one of the things you dread most is alone time. Turning that around starts with understanding yourself and becoming more in tune with the reality that surrounds you.

So, that’s what I’ve been doing. I know that I have a very spiritual side to me that, until very recently, I hadn’t ever actively explored. Now that I have, it’s brought an encouraging amount of healing not only to myself, but to those with whom I resonate on a very strong emotional level.

If there’s anything to be thankful for in this whole cacophony of bundled emotion, it’s that I’ve been able to help others as much as I’ve been able to help myself. That’s been one of the most beautiful byproducts to come from this crazy journey. And it’s been made more poignant when coupled with the realization that this needle and haystack life is no accident.

It happens once in a lifetime.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

JCC To Host Humble G Tha Fiddla In Concert Tonight: Humble g Tha Fiddla, who plays classical violin to the accompaniment of hip-hop beats, will perform at Jamestown Community College’s Hamilton Collegiate Center tonight at 7. Born Myles Alexander Keaton Smith, Humble g grew up in Cleveland and is a self-taught fiddler. His music focuses on “Hip-hope” — positive hip-hop music — and Afripean music featuring African drums and European strings. He is the co-founder of and a partner in Global Entertainment, a Cleveland-based company that focuses on intellectual and inspirational forms of entertainment. He is a member of Violins Against Violence, a program which strives to put violins in the hands of third-graders in Ohio schools.

The performance is presented by JCC’s “Voices of Diversity” program and made possible by the college program committee, Black Student Union and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s Sarita Hopkins Weeks JCC Concert Fund. The program is free and open to the public.

‘Back Room Radio Hour’ To Feature Foster, Moore Tonight: Trinity Guitars’ “Back Room Radio Hour” will return tonight to highlight the work of Chautauqua County singer-songwriters Stephen Foster and Bryan Moore tonight at 7.

Foster, currently based out of Buffalo, is an Ashville native and has been actively playing and performing for 15 years. He considers himself a hybrid musician, blending classic folk, blues, bluegrass and country styles while mixing in his own unique sound. His lyrics tell stories of struggle, triumph, love and heartbreak; winding through the ups and downs, and twists and turns, that life can take. Having appeared on the program previously, Moore will make his return to perform some new material. Ward was complimentary of Moore’s playing style and stage presence, and indicated that Moore may either be performing solo or alongside the members of his band DirtTrackRacing.

This month’s broadcast will also spotlight Compassion International, an organization who exists to match sponsors with children in need throughout the world. They do this by “releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name” through a holistic approach to Child Development. Speaking on behalf of Compassion International will be Sue Ann Holler, a sponsor and Compassion International Advocate.

The event is free to the public, but reservations must be secured through Trinity Guitars before admission. For more information, or to reserve seats for the taping of tonight’s episode, call Trinity Guitars at 665-4490 or email trinityguitarsbill@gmail.com. Reservations may also be made by visiting trinityguitars.com or visiting the event’s Facebook page.

Foundation Drawing Exhibition To Open At JCC Friday: Foundation Drawing, an exhibition that celebrates drawing as a foundation skill in visual arts, is currently on display in the Jamestown Community College’s Weeks Gallery through March 15. The exhibition presents work by Melissa Cooke of Minneapolis, Minn., Hollis Hammonds of Austin, Texas, and Joan Linder of Buffalo; innovative artists who use drawing as their primary means of expression.

An opening reception, featuring a presentation by Linder, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Funding for the exhibition is provided by the JCC Faculty Student Association and the JCC Foundation.

NCC To Host ‘Evening Of Comedy’ Saturday: The National Comedy Center’s Tropicana Room at Desilu Studios will host comedians Keith Alberstadt and Myq Kaplan — veterans of the comedy and entertainment worlds — in back-to-back Saturday performances beginning at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

For over a decade, Alberstadt has been entertaining comedy fans and audiences in the U.S., expats in Asia, as well as U.S. troops throughout the Middle East. His universal brand of comedy is appealing to audience members of all comedic preferences; whether it’s his sarcastic approach, his playful attitude or his good old-fashioned southern charm, Alberstadt makes his comedy relatable and approachable. Kaplan is a 2010 “Last Comic Standing” finalist and has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Comedy Central Presents,” and other programs. He also runs a podcast entitled “Hang Out With Me” on the Keith and The Girl network. His debut CD, “Vegan Mind Meld,” was one of iTunes’ Top 10 best-selling comedy albums in 2010, followed by “Meat Robot” in 2013 and his one-hour Netflix special “Small, Dork and Handsome” in 2014.

The 6:30 p.m. show is $37.50 per person and will include a dinner of either choice stuffed pork tenderloin or five-cheese lasagna, as well as beer and wine served at an additional cost. Guests can come as early as 5 p.m. for a cocktail hour at Desilu Studios. The 9:30 p.m. show is $17.50 per person. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 484-0800 or visit lucycomedyfest.com.

Seneca Allegany To Host Blood, Sweat And Tears Saturday: In recognition of the 50 years that have elapsed since its formation in 1967, Blood, Sweat and Tears will make a stop along its anniversary tour at the Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca on Saturday. Noted for its combination of brass and rock band instrumentation, the band became widely known for its fusing of rock, blues, pop music, horn arrangements and jazz improvisation into a hybrid that came to be known as “jazz rock.” Now led by American Idol runner-up Bo Bice, the band is better than ever. The genre-crossing rock and jazz group has seen chart-topping hits with songs like “And When I Die,” “Spinning Wheel” and more.

Tickets to Saturday’s concert, which begins at 7 p.m., start at $15. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-873-6322 or visit senecaalleganycasino.com/entertainment/events-center/.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

The Karl Marks Show (it’s revolutionary!): 7 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Bill Ward and John Cross: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Jamestown Thunder drum circle: 6 p.m., Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio, 212 Pine St. in Jamestown

Rustic Ramblers: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Cody Willett and Tim Reed: 8 p.m., Llama Club, Route 474 in Ashville

Ryan Melquist: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

No Limit: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

DJ Amber: 9 p.m., Murdocks, 100 E. Main St. in Sherman

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Bass Invaders: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Steelhorse: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Bill Ward: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

John Cross presents Jazz Saturdays: 7 p.m., Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

“Hacksaw Ridge” screening: 8 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Smokehouse: 8 p.m., Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Ralph Chamberlain Jr.: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Festivus for the Restivus: 9:30 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Smackdab: 10 p.m., The Tap Room, 43 E. Main St. in Westfield

Porcelain Bus Drivers: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Emo Dance Party: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

The Release: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Detroit Red: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Open Jam: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Tuesday

Karaoke: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

“Hell or High Water” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Trivia Night: 8 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown