I don't know how prepared I am to talk about the events of the past few weeks. So I am going to talk in abstract with my song. 80's idols Duran Duran made a comback with an opus called "Ordinary World" that the more I look at the lyrics, the more it resonates with me.
"Passion or coincidence
once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart."
Well now pride's gone out the window
cross the rooftops run away
left me in the vacuum of my heart
What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
there's an ordinary world
somehow I have to find
and as I try to make my way
to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive"
To me, this song is about perseverence. Taking what life has thrown at you, and just dealing with it. Don't look back at the mistakes you have made, or live in the past for any reason. There is a normal life out there for you, and you have to keep moving forward to it. And the lessons you learn on that Journey are how you learn to survive what the future holds.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Reaching for the sky
The past few months have been difficult for me to say the least. Struggling with the economy, wondering about my job security, and the dangers of both affecting my family. I have felt beaten down and dragged through the mud. But I think I have turned a corner, I made a vow to bring about change and it feels so good to be back in control of my destiny, instead of letting destiny control me. So for today, I am choosing Eagles Fly by Sammy Hagar as my song of the day.
" Now I'm alive, I can breathe the air
feel the wind, smell the Earth in the air.
I watch an eagle rise above the trees,
project myself into what he sees.
Hey, take me away
Come on and fly me away,
Take me up so high
Where eagles fly"
It is a great feeling to cast aside the fears and doubts that you have and just live. Trust in yourself and your power to get where you want to go. My childhood was marred by both fear and doubt and it really held me back. This pattern followed me into adulthood, but no more. I am taking control of my universe back. That way, sink or swim, it is on me, and no regrets!
"I often dream I sail through the sky
I've always wished I could fly.
The simple life of a bird on a wing
Oh Lord, I can sing."
It's time for me to sing again....
" Now I'm alive, I can breathe the air
feel the wind, smell the Earth in the air.
I watch an eagle rise above the trees,
project myself into what he sees.
Hey, take me away
Come on and fly me away,
Take me up so high
Where eagles fly"
It is a great feeling to cast aside the fears and doubts that you have and just live. Trust in yourself and your power to get where you want to go. My childhood was marred by both fear and doubt and it really held me back. This pattern followed me into adulthood, but no more. I am taking control of my universe back. That way, sink or swim, it is on me, and no regrets!
"I often dream I sail through the sky
I've always wished I could fly.
The simple life of a bird on a wing
Oh Lord, I can sing."
It's time for me to sing again....
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gettin Spiritual On You
For today, I'd like to talk about spirituality a bit. Now I am not an overly religious man, but I do believe in a higher power. I just don't succumb to the dogmas of many organized religions. And for that, I am choosing "Bang a Drum" by Jon Bon Jovi today. A little known classic that resides on the excellent, Young Guns 2 soundtrack. Now most people know "Blaze of Glory" which was a smash hit, but many of the other songs on the album are much larger in depth and meaning. From "Santa Fe" (my personal favorite on the album), to "Miracle" and "Dyin Ain't Much of a Living," good ol JBJ really hits on some true human dilemnas. So how does this apply to spirituality you ask? Well with the opening verse of the song:
"I went to the see the preacher,
to teach me how to pray.
He looked at me and smiled
and that preacher turned away.
He said, `If you wanna tell me something,
you ain't gotta fold your hands.
Just say it with your heart, your soul and believe it,
and I'll say Amen!'
This completely describes my take on religion. In my world, god is all around me, and if I need to rap with the all mighty, I don't need to go to a specific bulding to do it. Come on, he's god, don't you think he has a cell phone? Why do we need a landline like a church to reach him? Maybe I am being too existential here. But indulge me, because I am going to go even more off the beaten path. Some people even believe that there is a gospel out there, written by noneother than JC himself. And in that gospel, he wanted his ministry set up in the same fashion as my belief structure. Now, if you buy into the conspiracy fully, the Vatican found this gospel long after the church was solidified as an institution and they refuse to release it to the public. And who can blame them? If Christians everywhere realized that Jesus himself didn't want to have a strict regimented religion, the whole foundation of the church would collapse. But for me, I'll stick with my hotline to heaven and as long as I say what I mean, and mean what I say, then we be cool!
"I went to the see the preacher,
to teach me how to pray.
He looked at me and smiled
and that preacher turned away.
He said, `If you wanna tell me something,
you ain't gotta fold your hands.
Just say it with your heart, your soul and believe it,
and I'll say Amen!'
This completely describes my take on religion. In my world, god is all around me, and if I need to rap with the all mighty, I don't need to go to a specific bulding to do it. Come on, he's god, don't you think he has a cell phone? Why do we need a landline like a church to reach him? Maybe I am being too existential here. But indulge me, because I am going to go even more off the beaten path. Some people even believe that there is a gospel out there, written by noneother than JC himself. And in that gospel, he wanted his ministry set up in the same fashion as my belief structure. Now, if you buy into the conspiracy fully, the Vatican found this gospel long after the church was solidified as an institution and they refuse to release it to the public. And who can blame them? If Christians everywhere realized that Jesus himself didn't want to have a strict regimented religion, the whole foundation of the church would collapse. But for me, I'll stick with my hotline to heaven and as long as I say what I mean, and mean what I say, then we be cool!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sorry by Buckcherry
This song could easily be the theme song to my life.
"I'm sorry I'm bad,
I'm sorry you're blue
I'm sorry about all the things I said to you
and I know,
I can't take it back"
Throughout my 31 years on this blue and green marble, I have always been a worrier. I would take on everyone I knew's issues and apologize for everything. I have been told saying sorry too much is a sign of weakness, but growing up, I didn't know better. It easily carried over into my adult life and is still prevalent to this day. But the problem with saying sorry all the time is that when you really mean it nobody will know.
So today, I am making a blanket apology to anyone I ever hurt or wronged in any way. I'd like to think I am a good person and any pain I may have caused you was unintentional. I'd also like to apologize to myself. For putting other peoples needs and desires ahead of my own far too often. It is an admirable quality to have but you have to know your own limitations and that is something I am working on.
"Every single day,
I think about how we came all this way
the sleepness nights and the tears you cried,
it's never too late to make it right."
"I'm sorry I'm bad,
I'm sorry you're blue
I'm sorry about all the things I said to you
and I know,
I can't take it back"
Throughout my 31 years on this blue and green marble, I have always been a worrier. I would take on everyone I knew's issues and apologize for everything. I have been told saying sorry too much is a sign of weakness, but growing up, I didn't know better. It easily carried over into my adult life and is still prevalent to this day. But the problem with saying sorry all the time is that when you really mean it nobody will know.
So today, I am making a blanket apology to anyone I ever hurt or wronged in any way. I'd like to think I am a good person and any pain I may have caused you was unintentional. I'd also like to apologize to myself. For putting other peoples needs and desires ahead of my own far too often. It is an admirable quality to have but you have to know your own limitations and that is something I am working on.
"Every single day,
I think about how we came all this way
the sleepness nights and the tears you cried,
it's never too late to make it right."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Don't Stop Believin'
Those who know me probably were surprised it took me this long to get Journey on here, but hey, day 2 is not bad. This song is just a classic. To me, it is about dreams. Finding a dream and working toward it, believing in it, and never giving up on it. Dreams are all about hard work and achieving.
"Workin hard to get my fill,
everybody wants a thrill.
Payin anything to roll the dice
just one more time."
I have many dreams, some are within reach, and some are long term goals. But the point is never to give up, keep working toward them, even if it is baby steps at a time. There will be setbacks and obstacles, and people who will try to bring you down. But you need to keep moving forward. Because as they said in The Girl Next Door, "The juice is worth the squeeze."
"Workin hard to get my fill,
everybody wants a thrill.
Payin anything to roll the dice
just one more time."
I have many dreams, some are within reach, and some are long term goals. But the point is never to give up, keep working toward them, even if it is baby steps at a time. There will be setbacks and obstacles, and people who will try to bring you down. But you need to keep moving forward. Because as they said in The Girl Next Door, "The juice is worth the squeeze."
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Today's Theme Song, A Beautiful Day by U2
It is a beautiful day as President Obama begins four years of service. It was amazing to see the outporing of emotion from nearly 2 million people lining the mall for the Inaugauration yesterday. It seems like the passion of the 60's has returned. But this time, instead of being against the government, it is in hopes for the government. I'll be the first to say that he has a long and difficult road ahead and the naysayers are everywhere. But there is hope everywhere as well. Good luck Mr. President.
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