Since it seems this blog has turned into mostly a place to express my musical inspiration, I'll continue with that again here, this time not with a song of my own, but one that is officially on my list of favorite songs ever. If you haven't heard of Danny Gokey, I highly suggest checking him out. I adore him for several reasons, his music only being a small one. Don't get me wrong, he's insanely talented. But his heart and his passion drive that talent. Plus, his desire to be a Christian first makes everything he does more attractive to me. That's a confidence that I admire...and aspire to have. If I were to pursue music, he is the kind of musician I'd work to become. Anyway, enough gushing. On to the initial reason for this blog - his song, "Will Not Say Goodbye."
We all love a good melody. So many people would choose an upbeat, dancy-type song over a slow ballad, but there are those rare cases where a "slow song" hits so close to home that you can't help but fall in love with it. In this case, it's the honest, genuine, raw emotion that bursts from these lyrics. It's essentially about a person who is hurt so deeply by the loss of someone they love, and as they try to sort through the feelings, they decide, "No, I will NOT say goodbye. I'll get mad, I'll remember, I'll cry...but that is one thing I can't do."
Ever been there? I have. That gut-wrenching emotion is so clear and intense in this song...I just can't get away from it. Now, if you listen to Danny talk about this song, it's not all doom and gloom. For him, it's a song of hope. See, Danny was on American Idol. But his wife passed away just weeks before the auditions. The song is about her. But for him, he knows it's for real - he'll see his beautiful wife in heaven someday...so why say goodbye?
Now, I've never lost a spouse (...I haven't had one to lose!) but I've certainly felt this deep emotion. And the rawness and intensity of it in this song...seriously, you need to check it out. Here's my version, but it pales in comparison to the original. Look it up. I mean it.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
It's the little things...seriously.
"Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments."
It seems I have to remind myself how much I love that quote all the time. But it's so true - it really is the little things in life that make it all so beautiful. I mean, let's face it. There are plenty of rotten things going on in this world that could get us down...and keep us there. But what good does that do? Plus, if you really take the time to stop and think about it, God gave us a life of so much beauty. It's a shame we often fail to stop and see it.
I was reminded of this again recently when I was faced with the loss of a co-worker and friend. This man was facing so much that so few knew about...and he became so desperate that he took his own life. My heart hurts thinking of his sadness. But it reminded me to look around and really see all that this life can be...not just for me, but for those who truly need a friend, someone to remind them that this life is still a gift. Despite all the struggles, all the regrets, all the disappointments, failures, and scars, there is something every day that can make you smile. And a smile is, after all, the start of something beautiful.
The following lyrics are those of a song I wrote about 2 years ago (see the end of the post for a video of the song). The inspiration was one of the worst times in my life. My heart was in shambles...I was so broken, I didn't know what to do. Yet even then, God reminded me that we only have one chance to make this life count...so in the very moment I was reminded of how short this life is, I was also determined to slow down and remember those "everyday everythings" - the little things in each day that can make you smile through the pain and continue through the sadness. It's those little moments that get you through the night. As I am once again painfully aware of that, I want to share with you the story of a man who learns to deal with loss, thanks to another man who has been there...and learned how to make it through the night. He learned to cherish those Everyday Everythings. Enjoy.
This year was unlike any other,
the pain etched in his face.
He walked into the waiting room,
now quite a familiar place.
First Sam, then Jake, now Grandpa Bill.
They all had brought him here.
Another time, another pain,
and still another tear.
"How do I take another loss?"
he asked an old man standing near.
And he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
Fifty-three years she'd been his wife
then the cancer brought her down.
He'd learned a long, long time ago
to live for what is now.
That old man shared the many times
he'd felt like giving in.
But then he'd stop, remind himself
to see each day again.
"I promise each day can teach you something new."
And he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
With grandpa gone to heaven,
the pain was hard to bear.
Yet at the funeral, a man stood up
with one last thing to share.
He said, "I know that life's not always fun
and lots of times I've quit,
but one old man reminded me
that life is still a gift.
And every day has something
that will mean the world to you."
Then he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
Everyday has something that means everything...
Everyday everythings.
*I've decided to keep track of life's little blessings on twitter. Find me @MyLittleMoments
It seems I have to remind myself how much I love that quote all the time. But it's so true - it really is the little things in life that make it all so beautiful. I mean, let's face it. There are plenty of rotten things going on in this world that could get us down...and keep us there. But what good does that do? Plus, if you really take the time to stop and think about it, God gave us a life of so much beauty. It's a shame we often fail to stop and see it.
I was reminded of this again recently when I was faced with the loss of a co-worker and friend. This man was facing so much that so few knew about...and he became so desperate that he took his own life. My heart hurts thinking of his sadness. But it reminded me to look around and really see all that this life can be...not just for me, but for those who truly need a friend, someone to remind them that this life is still a gift. Despite all the struggles, all the regrets, all the disappointments, failures, and scars, there is something every day that can make you smile. And a smile is, after all, the start of something beautiful.
The following lyrics are those of a song I wrote about 2 years ago (see the end of the post for a video of the song). The inspiration was one of the worst times in my life. My heart was in shambles...I was so broken, I didn't know what to do. Yet even then, God reminded me that we only have one chance to make this life count...so in the very moment I was reminded of how short this life is, I was also determined to slow down and remember those "everyday everythings" - the little things in each day that can make you smile through the pain and continue through the sadness. It's those little moments that get you through the night. As I am once again painfully aware of that, I want to share with you the story of a man who learns to deal with loss, thanks to another man who has been there...and learned how to make it through the night. He learned to cherish those Everyday Everythings. Enjoy.
This year was unlike any other,
the pain etched in his face.
He walked into the waiting room,
now quite a familiar place.
First Sam, then Jake, now Grandpa Bill.
They all had brought him here.
Another time, another pain,
and still another tear.
"How do I take another loss?"
he asked an old man standing near.
And he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
Fifty-three years she'd been his wife
then the cancer brought her down.
He'd learned a long, long time ago
to live for what is now.
That old man shared the many times
he'd felt like giving in.
But then he'd stop, remind himself
to see each day again.
"I promise each day can teach you something new."
And he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
With grandpa gone to heaven,
the pain was hard to bear.
Yet at the funeral, a man stood up
with one last thing to share.
He said, "I know that life's not always fun
and lots of times I've quit,
but one old man reminded me
that life is still a gift.
And every day has something
that will mean the world to you."
Then he said...
Take your life and live it.
Love each day you're given,
because you only have one chance to get it right.
Don't live life in the fast lane,
go slow enough to take in
those moments that will get you through the night.
'Cause every day is precious
and those memories, they shape us.
So treasure them for everything they're worth...
Everyday Everythings.
Everyday has something that means everything...
Everyday everythings.
*I've decided to keep track of life's little blessings on twitter. Find me @MyLittleMoments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)