|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
Songs of Life
I imagine when we die we find out how in-tune with our hearts we should have been. Not an easy thing to do with all our mere mortal vices getting in the way.
How do we rise above what we are? Can we elevate ourselves and look back down on our lives to see what needs more attention, or less? What's important, what's a waste of time?
I've managed to step onto my own shoulders for a better look, through my music. As a songwriter I frequently, and most certainly unintentionally, write about feelings and experiences from my own life. Sometimes I don't recognize a connection until I'm performing the song or listening to it later on.
Where all these ideas comes from I can't be sure. I always thought that I had to go through many long years of suffering before I could be worth anything as writer, but I found that my song lyrics, and my other scribblings, affect people.
Real writers, those with a genuine knack, are born to be what they are. Maybe sometimes people get more than their fair share of talents. A cruel joke by God? Maybe a test. Which talent will be used the most to affect the rest of the world?
I didn't wake up one day and say I want to write songs, or even these observations. If I did I would likely be a lousy songwriter, or writer in general. Instead I have found that, when inspired, I have a knack for this writing thing. People who have heard my music believe it's among the best they've heard, and they always comment on the poignancy of my lyrics. One fellow who bought my CD remarked, "...lyrically, it's a killer!"
I appreciate these remarks. They make me examine myself more closely, to evaluate my work more carefully, because if people are this taken with my lyrics I must be extra careful what I write the next time around. My words can have great influence, so I want to make sure it's a positive one.
As I look back on my accomplishments, which I still don't think are much (call me humble), I start seeing myself in a different light. Not the kid who was made fun of in school, or the punk who couldn't get his head out of you-know-where quick enough to save himself some real heartache. But I see myself as a growing, learning, human stumbling through a mistake-ridden life that's finally smoothing out in the long run, and there's plenty more to run, so just imagine how much smoother it can get!
Looking down, even in at yourself, however you manage to do it, can help you elevate your position within your own mind. Since we are the masters of our own destiny, isn't that the right place to start? See yourself as the person you want to be.
By examining ourselves we can also learn how much heart we put into living our lives. The more heart that goes in, the less mundane your life will be. But you can't keep your heart to yourself. No light shines in a room without windows, no voice can travel beyond the walls. Affect the world around you and see how the light shines in.
How do we rise above what we are? We rise to what we want to be.
Drew Vics, an artist, writer & musician from New Jersey, writes for In The News:
Telegraph.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Aug 28, 2008
An historic cliff top tower that inspired the authors Thomas Hardy and PD James has reopened after being rebuilt 80ft further inland to stop it tumbling ...
The Dispatch, MD - Aug 28, 2008
By Cara Dahl, Staff Writer BERLIN – At the annual Worcester County public schools opening teachers meeting this week, which usually resembles a pep rally, ...
MyADSL, South Africa - 10 hours ago
It is easy to go through life I imagine without really meeting up with the truths of it. It is almost as if mankind’s collective memory is extremely limited ...
Voice of America
Voice of America - 16 hours ago
One woman in China, who gives her name as Mrs. Zhao, tells VOA she thinks Obama is inspirational. He's young she says, and "when he speaks he's really able ...
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: A Chat with the Green Party Ticket The Indypendent
NY Times Now Links Obama With Martin Luther King, Jr. Stop the ACLU
all 538 news articles
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - 22 hours ago
by Theo McLanahan Inspiration can strike at odd times when you are driving the kids to school, standing in line at the grocery store, or even while you are ...
Washington Post
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - Aug 28, 2008
Yet when you have a chance to talk with Michelle Obama in person, it isn't what makes her exceptional that stands out. Yes, she is the first black woman ...
Video: Michelle Obama Opens Democratic Convention AssociatedPress
Barack Obama: The Journey of a Confident Man KDBC
Michelle Obama’s speech and US expectations of a first lady Christian Science Monitor
The Columbian - Denver Postall 967 news articles
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Aug 27, 2008
... an inspirational story contest that he won $10000 - and is now one of five finalists for a $100000 grand prize in an "American Idol"-style competition. ...
The Age, Australia - Aug 27, 2008
... for cystic fibrosis in 1991, the then 22-year-old defied the medical odds, something she did repeatedly throughout her short but inspirational life. ...
Irish Times, Ireland - Aug 27, 2008
IRISH CRICKET DEDICATION, LOYALTY and commitment are words often bandied about in sport, yet more and more those terms seem to run hollow. ...
World Sikh News
World Sikh News, CA - Aug 28, 2008
TORONTO: Sikh activists, leaders, university students, and young professionals from all over Canada, participated in an instructional seminar entitled ...
Planning for the Unexpected
Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too late. History tells us that for centuries humans have been witness to tragedies, and often times have been the victim of them. A... Read More
Fighting Grief: The Time To Show You Care
The news came as a shock to us all. He who had been ill for days had been taken to the hospital. It was found out that he had very high amount of... Read More
Trusting Yourself and Others
How come, as women, we always second-guess ourselves? Are we not confident to choose a mate that has the characteristics of what we yearn for or start and operate a business that we... Read More
Your Support Network
Quick. Who's in your support network? Huh? What's a support network? Do I have a support network? Honey, who's in my support network?Your support network is that group of people you can go... Read More
The Miracle of Personal Development
One day Mr. Shoaff said, "Jim, if you want to be wealthy and happy, learn this lesson well: Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job."Since that time I've... Read More
Jerrys Yo-Yo
The blaring sound leapt under Jerry's skin and strangled him awake in an instant. His eyes popped open in terror and for a darkened moment he forgot where he was."Oh, Jeeze," he exclaimed... Read More
You Are a Beautiful Person
I wish that I could tell every person that I meet that he or she is a beautiful person--and have them believe it. I wish I could look them in the eyes and... Read More
7 Strategies To Make Room For Money
Laws of the Attraction notwithstanding, there are several external ways that you can make room for more money in your life.Yes, there are those of you who can manifest whatever you want, whenever... Read More
No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part I
The Thorns of Opportunity...What are you trying so hard to do?Do you ever find yourself saying "If I just had a little more time life would be great!" or asking "Where did all... Read More
The Interactive Holodeck is For Real
[Channelled]'Interact,' is a common word that most of you are familiar with these days and most all of you understand its meaning. It is a term that has come to popular awareness during... Read More
There Must Be A Way Out!
He was pushing a cart containing crates of soft drinks and followed closely by his two little boys when their momentum was halted. Noticing the situation, I ? who was on my way... Read More
Game-Set-Match
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 21, 2003I don't know whether to call it jealousy or insecurity. My husband and I have been married almost 30 years. Last year at... Read More
Such Love Transforms
Everything was arranged: once the funeral was over, all were to go to Hephzibah's house for the after-funeral dinner. It was the way things were done in Nain, typical of the customs followed... Read More
Motivational Posters - A Source Of Inspiration?
What Inspires You? What motivates you to get up in the morning? Are you one of those people who have a burning desire to achieve something or are you drifting along doing your... Read More
Have You Voted Today
Huh? You're probably wondering when this article was written, and probably thinking that this article is about a recent election. Well, it is and, it isn't.Webster's Dictionary defines voting, in part, as choosing... Read More
Maternal Instincts
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 14, 2002I am a woman in her mid-60s whose husband passed away, and I do not want to enter into a relationship with another... Read More
The Most Famous Line I Never Wrote
There is one line that can dramatically impact your life and I want to share this quote with you but first let me explain...There will be many obstacles in your path on your... Read More
How Would YOU React To Tragedy Like This?
The true story I'm about to share will have a profound impact on you, just as it did on me.One day a mother was in her kitchen doing the dishes, when through the... Read More
Brilliant Autumn: Reaping a Bounteous Harvest
"But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons, And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing." -... Read More
The Inspiration Factor
The first thing that an aspiring leader must realize is that they must be inspiring! That is, they must be capable of, and willing to inspire people on to greater things than if... Read More
In the Eyes of a Child
It was way past 10:00 pm when I came home from a grueling day of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. The wind was rustling about overhead as I paced through the door of our... Read More
Save the Planet with Your Joy!
Your own level of frequency raises or lowers the overall frequency of humanity, and because being at higher frequency equals the experience of joy, it is literally true that in order to raise... Read More
Arranging Stepping-Stones
The greatest achievements were obtained by those who took one step after the next. They resolved to succeed, and moved little by little toward a worthwhile goal.Temporary obstacles in one situation are very... Read More
Are You Tired of Being Stuck?
All you want is a little more.More money, more love, more fun, more friends.So what happens when we don't get what we want, when the flow slows down or even stops?You get mad,... Read More
Misery Can Eat You Alive
This is a true story about a woman I worked with for several years.I'm sure we all know at least one person who cannot find a good thing to say about anything or... Read More
A Lesson From A Hum Of A Bamboo Clump
Have you heard a nature hymn? For example, a whir of ting-a-ling-a-ling sound yielded by bamboo leaves when wind blows to its clump? If you have an opportunity to visit a bamboo garden,... Read More
Being Fruitful
Over the years I've learned to challenge my audiences to turn their response to the ideas and information they receive into results. According to the Christian story, the first couple, Adam and Eve,... Read More
Conspiracy of Silence
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 12, 2004I'm hoping you can help me with a moral problem that crops up every now and then in my personal and professional life.... Read More
There Is Always Room For Improvement
When I was twelve my parents bought me a five foot snooker table for my birthday. This turned out to be the best present I was ever bought and I quickly became hooked... Read More
Your Inner Wisdom -- Crouching Ego, Hidden Guru
Wouldn't it be nice if you had a spiritual counselor that traveled everywhere with you, answering all your questions and guiding you down the perfect path? Well, you do! Take a look in... Read More
The Minds Fancy Dress Party -Or- A Brainstorming Session
In Berlin a restaurant opens for anorexics and in Buffalo a lawyer with a stutter wins a court case. When everything you're working on has gone STALE and your own initially promising concepts... Read More
Care And Maintenance Of The Human Hard Drive
The human brain is very much like a hard drive. If you stop to think of it, they are both filled with billions of tiny bits of information, stored in the memory cells... Read More
Revenge in the End is Bitter Sweet
We ALL think or have thought about it at one time or another. Revenge! Yes, we plan, we let our minds conjure up ways to get back at someone who we believe has... Read More
H-U-G-S -------The More You Give----The More You Get!
How many of us couldn't use a hug on a daily basis----------well, when you get out of bed as part of your daily practice in the morning wrap your arms around yourself and... Read More
Parental Consent
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 11, 2003I am concerned about a relationship, but it is not my own. My nephew aged 21 is planning to get married this November.... Read More
5 Notions That Americans Should Put Out To Pasture
Wisdom and knowledge come from the same family but are as different as apples and watermelons. What we call common wisdom is what made you expect me to say oranges instead of watermelons.... Read More
5 Things That Americans Can Do To Remember Reviving, Surviving and Thriving in the Wake of Sept 11
For those people who lost friends and loved ones in the September 11th World Trade Center attacks, the anniversary will re-open the wounds and renew the pain of great loss. For the... Read More
Lessons Learned Hard
Many of us seek consolation in the words of Frank Sinatra, "I did it my way." I say many of us because I feel this trap has snared more than just me. Oh,... Read More
Forgotten Dreams: At the End... Part I
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will you be able to stand at your grave and say I lived an amazing life, I have lived what many didn't even know... Read More
Alone But Not Lonely
In today's fast paced society, we've become accustomed to filling the eeriness of silence with fluff. We turn to many distractions as a means of escaping feelings of idleness or boredom. But the... Read More
A Childs Plight
In the streets of Bogot?, a child - named Simon* - wanders amidst the crowd. He is a lonely soul, lost in the multitude, forgotten by humanity, rejected by his society.He looks like... Read More
Its Not My Job to Free Tibet
I hate saying that. It feels so very wrong. It's not that I wouldn't like to help them. It's not that I am not appalled at what is happening over there. I have... Read More
Anam Chara - Living A Life Of Value
Much of our lives we spend comparing what "me" has with what "you" has. Usually this is to the detriment of "me." We take our values from the world of the visible and... Read More
Why Not Reinvent The Wheel?
"Why go and reinvent the wheel?" It's a question that's been around for centuries; right? Here's a better question: Why not reinvent the wheel? As a Peak Performance Coach, I do a lot... Read More
Inspiration From Jack Dempsey
I really like Jack Dempsey's great one liner: "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."It summarises, as powerfully and as swiftly as one of his explosive left hooks, the spirit... Read More
The Ant Philosophy
Over the years I've been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept - the ant philosophy.I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first... Read More
Love and Courage
To [many] work is not a gratifying opportunity to do good, but a necessary evil they would gladly forgo if they won or inherited a fortune. It is just a livelihood, a vital... Read More
The Emmaus Journal ~ Quietness
The Emmaus Journal QuietnessAs a state of being, quietness is in direct contrast to the World we occupy and the American Lifestyle altogether. The perpetual noise index is at its highest peak within... Read More
He Who Laughs...Lasts---Where Has All The Laughter Gone?
I love to watch people at airports, malls and even at our church. I wonder, what got them here? What attracted those two people to be together at this time? What makes that... Read More
Inspiring Values of Unforgettable Teachers
All of us recall special teachers - people who not only taught us but inspired us in ways that changed our lives. William Arthur Ward once said, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good... Read More
Ask the Angels - Get Specific !
There are Angels for everything and they are just waiting for us to ask for their help. They can't help if we don't ask.Our request doesn't have to be long and lengthy. It... Read More
Life Goes On
Boy, do I feel old. Or at least older.No, I didn't just have a birthday (well, it was last month). I am thirty-seven years old. No, my oldest child just had a birthday... Read More
Let Change Be Your Friend, Mentor, and Inspiration
People have a tendency of anticipating pending change on the assumption that it will be bad. Such focus on the negatives contribute to unnecessary fears of change, even when there is really not... Read More
Being Relatable in Todays World as a Christian
There are reasons we cross paths with those that we do. Sometimes its SO obvious, because we have walked a mile or two in what that person is going thru. But other time's... Read More
The Monkey With The Wooden Apples
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most... Read More
The Family
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 19, 2004I grew up in a very abusive family. Physical, mental, and emotional abuse were the norm. My father was the most abusive, but... Read More
Put To The Sword
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 23, 2002My girlfriend has an aggressive sense of humor. She teases and likes to parry put-downs. She says it is all in fun, and... Read More
How to Scare Fear Out of Your Life
A reader asks: "Many times in my life I have let fear rule me and stop me from doing something I wanted to do. Do you have any suggestions for how to handle... Read More
| GOOGLE AD |
Inspirational Inspirational |