It's hard to get by just upon a smile

Wild World by Cat Stevens
Right click here to open lyrics and song in a new window or tab.


Simple song that can be taken in a few different directions depending on your life situation.  That's one thing I love about music...and art in general...is that the same piece can be interpreted different ways by different people at different times in life.  Granted some music is what it is...only one way to see it or hear it, but by and large interpretation is up to the viewer or listener.


Cat (who has changed his name to Yusuf Islam) is not high on my list of entertainers for social and religious reasons, but I do like some of his music.  This song in particular is one I really like and it has been covered numerous times by different artists.

I have read that this song was written from the perspective of the female being the wife/girlfriend, which makes perfect sense given the first verse of the song.  One could also apply it to a daughter I suppose because of the concern Cat shows for the woman as she is going out into the world and the fact that he says "I'll always remember you like a child, girl."  Either way this song is about letting go, wishing someone the best in whatever they choose and giving a little parting advice...and hoping they will listen!


Since I just welcomed my daughter into the world a few short months ago, I immediately thought of her...letting her go at some point, hoping she makes good decisions "but just remember there's a lot of bad and beware, beware."  So that made me think...how can I prepare her (and my two boys) for what's in store later in life when they head out on their own?  As we all know, it's a wild world out there that is unpredictable and, no matter our intentions, things can get ugly from time to time.

My advice is as follows:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) -  ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) - ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) -  ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) - ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) - ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I Peter 5:10 (NIV) - ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

James 1:12 (NIV) - ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

What's your take on it?  What advice would you give?

Aaahoo!!

Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon.  Right click here and you can open the song lyrics and audio in a new tab or window.

Can we say one-hit wonder?  And how did this even become a hit?  Yeah, ok, it's kinda catchy when he does the howling part, but really?  Top 40? 

There's nothing deep and meaningful here gang.  What I took from this one was that if you see a hairy, hairy gent, especially around your kitchen door, you better not let him in!  And evidently at least some werewolves have perfect hair.  High standards in the world of half-human night prowlers I suppose.

I also take heart in the fact that if this guy can go top 40, then a lot of us have hope!  Of course I could say that for many artists this day and time.  I guess Andy Worhol got it right in the 60's when he said "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." At any rate...keep your dreams of stardom alive and keep a gun with a silver bullet nearby...just in case. ;)

Live Like You Were Dying

Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw


That's right...starting with country music.  Right click on the main post title above and you can open the song lyrics and audio in a new tab or window.  I'm not a huge country music fan because of some lyrics and lifestyles they seem to glorify at times, but I caught this song on the radio the other day on my way home from work and I like it.  Been a while since I've heard it.  The point is to ask what would you do if didn't have many days left on this earth?  Good question.

Anytime I hear about untimely death I think about two great guys who I knew in high school that lost their lives in a horrible wreck with a stopped school bus.  Those of you I went to high school with know exactly who I am talking about.  I feel confident that those two left everything on the field.


As for me, I have a few things that I would like to do that I haven't done yet.  Travel to some historic sites.  Visit Hawaii (if I could bring myself to get on the plane).  Buy a motorcycle.  Play paintball (NO I have never played paintball!).  Nothing too crazy, but then again I'm not a huge risk taker anyway.


A bigger question then came to my mind when I heard this song: what have I not done in the past that I should have done.  Now that list may be a little longer.  How about you?  We can't let the past haunt us, but we can surely use it as motivation to do things a little better each day we're here on this earth.


Genesis 3:19 - "for dust you are and to dust you will return."


The thought of dying is a concept that it's hard to wrap your mind around.  I mean really...I won't be here anymore?  Some people are scared of the thought...some may not be scared, but sure wish they didn't have to leave this life.  There's a reason for that, in my opinion.  We were originally created to live in human form eternally with God the Father.  Problem was that there were a couple of folks who messed that plan up for us all...but that's another story.  We are all dying.  Some faster...some slower...but we're all dying.  That is the way of things.  To quote my favorite series of movies ever: Luke Skywalker- "Master Yoda, you can't die."  Yoda - "Strong am I with the Force, but not that strong."  So shouldn't we already be living each day like we're dying?  Why should we wait for bad news from a doctor, or until we survive a bad car wreck, etc.? 


Now the question is how does that change our outlook, purpose, etc.?  Or does it?  You may already be doing things perfectly, but as for me...I need to make some improvements.  I need to tell and show people that I love them more.  I need to take advantage of opportunities that are given to me and not analyze them to death.  I need to try and meet the needs of hurting people around me...it doesn't matter if I know them or not.  I need to pray more.  I need to appreciate the freedoms I have because who knows when they may cease to exist.  I need to quit stopping God from accomplishing His goals by hesitating or saying no.


So, since you don't know exactly when your time is up, are you living like you are dying?  Or are there changes you need to make?  Well?  I'm waiting...