A character in a classic movie of yore once said that “every Hero needs their theme music,” but I think that adage works for regular folk too. With all of the changes that have happened in my life in recent years, I’ve done a lot of soul searching…about how I’m living my life and what kind of life I want to live. Several songs I’ve shared previously have worked as my theme music, particularly Erasmo Carlos’ “Minha Gente” and Rotary Connection’s “Life Could,” and served to ground me at times I felt unsteady. But I’m not sure if there’s a better vision of how I see things and how I want things to be than this song from Dr. John. “Glowin'” is featured on his second album, Babylon, and presents a way of living that is centered on what a “good” life should be. For me, it’s not about being the best, having tons of money, winning massive amounts of awards, personal wealth and personal glory. Instead, it’s about creating something that I am fully proud of and fully responsible for, finding spaces and places that allow me to fully be myself and to enjoy this life I’ve been privileged to live. Particularly at times like right now, when the horrors of the world seem insurmountable, I know my part to play and know what is right and how to live in love and light. As Dr. John says, “with good understanding and a lot of patience, you can make it yes you can, beyond your wildest dreams.”
So wild that you would post on this topic. I’ve been experiencing the same thing in my own life for quite some time; the need to live congruently with all the disparate pieces of me without judgment or expectations. I’ve often struggled with self-editing and second guessing myself for fear that the real me will be incompatible with the so-called standards of others. I’m about to launch my own website very soon, which will allow me to—once and for all—reconcile the difference between the myth of myself with the reality of myself. I have a deep need to express, create and engage in ways that are not satisfied by the fleeting nature of social media. With respect to my own “personal legend”, the only way I can begin to explore this path without constraint is in the context of my own space.
Incidentally, I have a longstanding music project in the works titled “Every Hero Needs A Theme Song” inspired by the same film and for some of the same reasons you cite.
Congratulations on rebooting your blog. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store.
Thanks James…glad you dug that song. I’m sure you’re familiar with “Life Could” from Rotary Connection, but it also has a similar philosophy, as does Erasmo Carlos’ “Minha Gente/My People” that I’ll be posting tomorrow. Peace!