Would You Change?

Well, it happened again. Another day, another song to inspire me.

If you've been following along with my blogs lately, you'll know that for me, this summer has been filled with awesome music (concerts especially) that's elevated my heart; lifted my spirits; enlightened my attitude, and emboldened my thoughts. Don't know what it is about music these days, but now, more than ever, I seem to be finding more joy, meaning, and impactfulness than usual. I dig it. After all, music and life just go together - like warm cookies and cold milk.

That said, I was recently moved by the incredibly talented, joyously soulful, poignantly evocative, singularly unique, genuinely exceptional Tracy Chapman (that's her in the picture). Indeed, she's got a boatful of great music, and truth be told - her style goes better with adult libations (assuming you're of age). One of her all time best, most recognizable songs, Change, really got me thinking. And no, the wine had nothing to do with boosting my thoughts; it was the song, and more so, the words, that got me contemplative. Check them out yourself, and see what you think:

If you knew that you would die today
Saw the face of God and love
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that love can break your heart
When you're down so low that you cannot fall
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change

If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right, being wrong,
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would find a truth
That would bring a pain that can't be soothed
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change

Are you so up right
You can't be bent
If it comes to blows
Are you so sure you won't be crawling
If not for the good why why risk falling
Why risk falling?

If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you'd broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would die today,
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you saw the face of God and loved
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change?
Would you change?

Granted, lyrics alone, without their accompanying music, just aren't the same. It's like Donnie without Marie; Captain without Tenille; or, closer to my heart, and maturity, SpongeBob without Patrick (perish the thought!!!).

Regardless, the lyrics beg to ask: Given justifiable reasons/provocation/rationale for change - would you change? And presumably, for the better? After all, change for the sake of change for the mere sake of change (you get my drift), is not what it's about. Nope. Justifiable change for the sake of goodness, is what it's all about. And it's important to know the difference.

Good and Justifiable Change is Good.

Will You Be There, Person In The Mirror?

I enjoyed an absolutely awesome run today. Truly, it was my longest, best, and most satisfying run of the summer. Along the way (make that, leading the way), I was accompanied, and inspired, by two Michael Jackson songs: Will You Be There, and Man In The Mirror. I played both songs, back-to-back-to-back-to-back, 12 times over. Call it my little tribute to Michael.

I know, some wonder if a tribute, large or small, is fitting - given the "issues." Frankly, I'm gonna pass on that one, and give him his dues. Sure, he was a complicated guy. So talented; and yet, so challenged. Think of him what you will, the undeniable fact is, he had an extra-ordinary life. Really, there was nothing "ordinary" about his world. What strikes me the most however - given all of the footage, media coverage and "life-lights" that I've seen of Michael over the last week - is just how restless and un-peaceful his life seemed to be. Frankly, my head spins just thinking about it. So, say what you will, and think what you think - you have to agree that given the life that he lived, let him at least rest-in-peace. R.I.P Michel. R.I.P.

Now, on the less controversial musical front, I do enjoy lots of his songs (he unabashedly admits). And like I wrote earlier, I get pumped by many of his songs, especially, well, you know which two. And on my run today, in a deeper and more satisfying way then ever before, the words to both songs really hit home for me. Most of all, it hit me that by joining the two songs together - it gave me a thought to rev up my pace; run a little harder, and more so hopefully, drive purpose to my life, in that yes ... I WILL be there ... man in the mirror.

Specifically, I WILL be there for my family, my friends, and all of those who need and depend on me. That's my purpose, and it starts with me. As Michael sang himself: "Gonna make a difference ... Gonna make it right ... That's why I want you to know ... I'm starting with the man in the mirror."

How about you?

Will YOU be there - person in mirror?

Being There is Good.

Always Looking Up (takes looking around)

I just finished Michael J. Fox's wonderful new book, Always Looking Up. Now, the fact that I've been a big fan of Fox for the last 20 or so years (yea, I even like Teen Wolf) - helps me appreciate his book, his plight with Parkinson's, his Michael J Fox Foundation , and his zest for friends, family, and life.

Indeed, I like Mike. And yes, he wrote a very nice book, and more so, has a very nice purpose to his book. Now, specific to the book's title - I'd like to add a few components to help us with our own aspirations to have an "always looking up" attitude for life. (And given what I know about Michael, I think he'd be okay with my added "compenentry.")

To have an upbeat, positive, "always looking up" perspective, attitude, aptitude and mindfulness about life (and work for that matter) ... we have to occasionally look down; look sideways, look across; and as best we can ... look for as much insight, foresight and hindsight as we can muster.

In other words - it helps to have peripheral vision.

And what's the best way to get peripheral vision?

Through active, life-long learning.

After all, we really can’t be much of anyone, or do much of anything (let alone THRIVE) - if we don’t first put our minds to it. As they say, mind over matter. So, to effectively look-up, we need to look around, when/where appropriate - for the "nutrients" that feed our mind, as well as our heart, body, and soul.

Active, Life-Long Learning is Good.