Lots of us are in the middle of upheaval in some shape or form. I know I’m going thru some things. I know lots of my friends are going thru things. When I read the news I know lots of others are going thru some things. Meaning some things that are not fun. I think one of the true tests of human spirit has to come when you’re going thru something that is not fun. How we behave in such matters becomes a testament of what we’re truly like as a person. That journey isn’t always rosy.
I finally started seeing some changes in my own being in the last few weeks. I can’t pretend to have the answers to life, but I have found that people do actually appreciate my viewpoint. I know that I’ve been clouded in judgement on things for the past several months, but the gook is clearing away and I’m facing the rough waters my ship has been sailing. I think the fact I’ve been open about it with some of my friends has allowed them to share about their experience in recent months with me as well.
I got some time with a particular friend last night. One who has come to mean a great deal to me. We had dinner for the first time in a long time. No expectations, no preconceived notions, just two friends eating great food and enjoying the time together. During the course of the evening I learned of something that I believe could be frightening. You’re cruising along thru life, not meaning to do harm or any illegal action and boom, something unintended and there is a possibility. I sat and listened and was surprised by some of the thoughts being shared with me. Not the unintended actions, but rather the mindset of the results that could happen. My immediate response was, don’t live in fear that it might happen. Enjoy life was my suggestion. Of course that’s easier said than done.
I know the same can be said of me. My mom has been a damn great beacon for some of the things I’m facing. It’s helped give me perspective. I should give myself a dose of my own advice to my dear friend from last night. Don’t live in fear. Of course as I’m up this morning, I’m not fearing what’s going on. Instead I’m doing what I can to correct things that have gone wrong. The biggest issue is a factor of time. Sometimes the ship gets so big that it takes longer than anticipated to turn things around.
In my case, I’m turning the ship. It’s really a matter of how bad the storm is and whether I can get it pointed in the right direction in a manner that will avoid a result similar to the titanic. Yes, that’s a metaphor.
The overcast and rain that has been floating around southern california for the past while has broken this morning. The irony based on one of the meetings I have today. Though I have two other meetings that should be more fun after the first meeting. The sun is up, the sky is blue, life is certainly feeling good for me, how about you?
Being that I’m typing about storms, ships, friends, etc… I figured an old school hard rock song would suffice for the message. Whitesnake’s Wings of the Storm is one of the tunes that came up in my library of music when I searched for storm. Most of the other storm songs were more about running or very dark. This one has a bit more of the silver lining and ray of hope to it. And while my vision of today’s post it is not all about love, it is part of the situation.
The beauty of this song is the production value. Steve Vai is the primary guitarist that recorded this on the guitar. He did a fantastic job of creating the intro using tons of noises coaxed out of the guitar to set a mood of impending storm, it even carries thru in the guitar solo as well. When did we lose that era of rock music? Where the music actually helps create the mood?
Of course the drums are slamming. It sounds like the drummer is pounding them extremely hard. David Coverdale is singing his ass off. And you’re off on a journey. That’s what I dig about the song, the journey.
Go find your center, get your music legally, and above all: don’t live in fear!