Sunday, September 9, 2007

A Metaphor By Which to Live

We all make mistakes as we traverse this journey called life. Some of us have a hard time letting go of those mistakes. We rerun them again and again in our minds, going over every detail, obsessing and regretting. It’s as if we’re fearful we’ll repeat our mistakes if we don’t hang on to them. Or maybe we feel the need to punish ourselves for our poor judgment. Who knows the reasons why? I’m sure there are a myriad of them, conscious and subconscious.

Then there are those of us who, from no fault of our own, are handed severe challenges in life that don’t always end on a positive note, if they end at all. At times these challenges seem overwhelming and we can’t see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Over time, we might even become bitter and hard in an effort to protect our hearts, our feelings, and our minds, allowing ourselves to become victims of life circumstance.

One day while pondering these things, I was especially moved by a song on a Jimmy Buffett C.D., Take the Weather with You, I bought a while back. The song, though concerning hurricane Katrina, is a great metaphor for life.


I share the lyrics of that song with you now in hopes that they will be of comfort and strength to any who are in such need.


BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT, MOVE ON
By Jimmy Buffett and Matt Betton
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man
Floating down Canal
It doesn’t use numbers or move any hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And if I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe in breathe out move on

And it rained
It was really nothing new
And it blew
We’ve seen all that before
And it poured
The earth began to strain
Ponchartrain
Leaking through the door
Tides at war

If a hurricane doesn’t leave you dead
It will make you strong
Don’t try to explain just nod your head
Breathe in breathe out move on

And it rained
It was really nothing new
And it blew
We’ve seen all that before
And it poured
The earth began to strain
Ponchartrain
Buried the Ninth Ward
To the second floor

According to my watch the time is now
The past is dead and gone
Don’t try to shake it just nod your head
Breathe in breathe out move on
Don’t try to explain it just bow your head
Breathe in . . . breathe out . . . move on
Anonymous said...
Very good, Doug. Just what I needed to hear today, as I was going over and over those "past mistakes" yet again. Thanks!Walley Gator
Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:23:00 PM EDT
Doug Bagley said...
Glad it helped ya Walley
Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:42:00 PM EDT
doodlebugmom said...
thanks for sharing this Doug
Monday, July 30, 2007 8:47:00 AM EDT
Courtney said...
Wow! Great words to live by - "breathe in, breathe out, move on..."
Monday, July 30, 2007 10:18:00 AM EDT
Valerie said...
my boy Jimmy can sure write them.thanks for sharing.
Monday, July 30, 2007 9:03:00 PM EDT
JunieRose2005 said...
Great words in this song!

LZ Blogger said...
Doug ~ Another Parrothead? ME TOO! There are often some profound thoughts in Jimmy's words. In fact... even some JEWELS! Here's one... from "Trip Around The Sun” states; “I’m just hanging on as this old world keeps spinning and it’s good to know that it’s out of my control. If there is one thing I have leaned from all this living, is that... it wouldn’t change a thing if I let go.” Now that's PROFOUND! ~ jb///
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 4:54:00 PM EDT
Jules said...
Doug, love the words to that song and great advise to anyone Off to buy that CD.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:33:00 AM EDT
BabyGirl said...
What a strange post for me to come across Doug. If you wonder what made you write this particular post at this particular time, let me assure you, that it was indeed meant to be.I just wanted to tell you that I have an update on my blog, after having been absent from the computer for some time and I wanted to share it with you.I hope your life is going well.babygirlbailey.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 1:21:00 PM EDT
The Kept Woman said...
Good to see you around again!!Seriously...there's deep wisdom in Jimmy's music. The man has seen damn near everything. And for those songs that are just silly...those are nice to drink and laugh to.
Thursday, August 2, 2007 11:14:00 PM EDT
Courtney said...
Interested in hearing the back story about women going for other women!! Do tell :)
Friday, August 3, 2007 8:30:00 AM EDT
Renae said...
What a lovely post!! I just recently came out of a challenge that did not end on a positive noe. It was, however, for the best. Thanks for sharing!! Take care and be BLessed!
Friday, August 3, 2007 2:46:00 PM EDT
SonSon said...
Very nice and very moving. It's easy (at least for me) to get caught up in moments like you mentioned in your first two paragraghs. Great lyrics
Friday, August 3, 2007 4:19:00 PM EDT
kristi noser said...
I have a mantra (if you will) for this kind of problem: "Unclench and do the next thing". I should call the Pirate.Good blogpost Doug.
Friday, August 3, 2007 8:40:00 PM EDT
Suzy said...
So true Doug - "what don't kill you makes you strong" ;-)
Friday, August 3, 2007 11:12:00 PM EDT
Hale McKay said...
Good post - those lyrics can be applied to lot of our travails.Thanks for the visit and comments at my site.
Saturday, August 4, 2007 1:19:00 AM EDT
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)