Truth and realization of the world around us are something we all experience at some point in our lives. How many times as adults have we come to the conclusion that our perception’s are not reality? Our worldview is shaped by many different influences. It may be our parents, other family members, teachers, church members, or a number of other outside influences that affect the way we view life. That is what this song is all about, and I love it!
This song reminds me of my childhood, and it most likely will take most of you back to the past as well. I still remember growing up and watching shows on TV feeling like that was real life. I was so naive with love as an adolescent and a young adult, feeling like marriage would be like a ferry tale. That is, until i went through a divorce a few years ago and learned the rough side of love. Growing up I thought my family was a perfect replica of the Cosby show in the 1980’s, until one day 20+ years later my father broke down and told me i had 2 other siblings i had never met. I am sure that was difficult for my father to tell me, but i always respected him for doing it. I thought people were generally good and accepting, until i fell on hard times and many of my “friends” deserted me. I thought social media was how most people really lived, until i realized that mostly everyone puts their best face on for the camera. Now i know better.
I learned that although all that glitters isn’t made of gold, there is still a sparkle in the glitter. We may go through hard times, but there is beauty in the struggle. We may weep in the night, but joy comes in the morning. The sooner we understand that life is more than a rollercoaster but an amusement park, the better. What i mean is that there are several unpredictable games and rides, not just one. The key is in my value statement, “Never let life dictate how far you can make it.” Life has it’s twist and turns, but God can and will straighten the paths if you have faith in Him. When some piece of truth comes in and rocks your world, do not freeze in fear. It is part of your experience and God is using it for good. Remember, if you let your life dictate how far you can make it, it is easy to stop striving because you may feel that your past and current experiences are what defines you, and that’s not true. You were made for excellence. You are special. Everything happens for a reason. Respect that, confess that, and digest that. Signing off for now.
V.R.
Stevie Wonder’s “Another Star”– When hearing this beautifully crafted piece of music, I instantly travel back to 2 different era’s of my life. The first is 1996, sitting with my brother Julius in the back room of my parents home talking about life and eating Hot Pockets. When this album played, my brother did not realize the values he was instilling in me that had a long lasting positive effect on my life. He was molding me in several subjects, from how to handle my business as a young man, to how to impress girls when I went to high school the next year. He taught me to be smart and not get caught up in the system, all while Stevie was playing in the background. The second era was 2001. This was my freshman year in college at Winston-Salem State University sitting in the stands watching the Durham N.C. Battle Of The bands. Virginia State University’s marching band marched out to “Another Star” and it sounded amazing! They were a primary rival of my school at that time, but I must admit I loved the way they played this song. I joined the marching band at WSSU the next year, partially to battle VSU because of this event.
James Taylor’s “Shower The People”– When hearing this song, I instantly think of my father and warp back to my childhood. The year was 1988. I was 5 years old at the time. I remember that being the year my parents had a sun room completed in our home. I remember my dad playing this beautiful song on his guitar and the whole family would sit and listen. Then we would go outside right after and play. My dad would continue to play and sing, while me and my 8 year old sister Tomeka made mud pies. I was young, but I remember the message of this song because it was full of emotion. The lyrics were so powerful back then and now. In the second verse of the song, James passionately sang, “You can run but you cannot hide, this is widely known, what do you plan to do with your foolish pride, when you’re all by yourself alone? Better to shower the people you love with love.” -Classic
Nas’s “The World Is Yours”, leading track on his classic album “Illmatic“- Ah spring 1994, I will never forget. I was almost 11 years old and definitely not supposed to be listening to hip-hop music, but tell that to my 5 older brothers! I take this time machine back to that spring, walking with my older brother’s Westly and Julius to Greg’s house, their best friend. I distinctly remember playing Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and Mortal Kombat on his Sega Genesis, when I heard the piano cords at the beginning of this song before Nas started rapping. I turned the TV down to hear what the rapper was saying. Even at my young age, I was taken away by his words and descriptions of the living conditions in the infamous “Queensbridge” Project Homes of Queens, New York. The lyrics that rapper Nas stated on the second verse were incredible to me. He stated, “They aiming guns at all my baby pictures/beef with housing police, release scriptures that’s maybe Hitler’s/ Yet I’m the mild, money-getting style, rolling foul/ The versatile, honey-sticking wild golden child/ Dwelling in the Rotten Apple, you get tackled.” Nas had incredible talent, because he has the ability to make you feel what he saw everyday. That is what great artists do, in my opinion.
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