It Will Come: A Change Is Gonna Come By Sam Cooke

If I remember right, I've used Henry Bergson's "Shipwreck Theory" twice on this blog now.  I fell in love with that theory because it reminds me that no matter how bad things are, it will pass. You just have to tough it out for a while.  Before you know it, the storm has passed and the good times are back.  That philosophy always carried me through the tough times.  Another good song that reminds that the tough times will end and a change will come is Sam Cooke's "A Change Will Come".

I read that Sam wrote this to describe the hardships and the hope during the Civil Rights Movement.  This could also describe the hardships that we face in our own personal lives.  When we're faced with so many problems and no one to give us a hand are times when life can be very hard.  Still, just like that line in Billy Joel's song "Second Wind", we just need a little faith to keep us going.  Before we know it, the worst is over.

I know I've been ranting a lot on my blog about all the things that get me down.  Still I believe that this storm is will past.  It's just taking a little longer than I thought.  That said, I still persevere through these tough times and I know I'm not the only one.  A change will come sooner or later and I will believe in that.

One Of The Best Songs For Working Out And To Inspire: Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) By Bill Conti

One routine that I haven't given up since I was a teenager was working out. I started working out with weights and martial arts to get in shape cause just like a lot of kids, I guess I wanted to look good.  Now that I'm getting older I still work out and there are times when I listen to music to get inspired.  One song that gets the blood pumping is "Gonna Fly Now"  from the movie "Rocky" by Bill Conti.

Who wouldn't be inspired by the scenes where Rocky was working out for his title match with Apollo Creed.  The weightlifting, bag punching, one-arm push-ups and of course the jogging.  Although some of the routine is not part of boxing's training, it does want you to get up and hit the gym.  I especially love the part where he was running up the steps and at the end of the song and started jumping up and down in triumph.  It means that you can overcome any obstacle if you're determined enough.

Apart from a great workout song, this also reminds you that anything is possible if you try hard enough.  That has always been what the Rocky saga is all about.  Working out isn't just about being fit but also about being inspired to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.  That's why I keep working out because I want to apply what I do in exercise to how I deal with life's obstacles.  Though I've been feeling down a lot lately, songs like these keep me going both in exercise and in life.

Wish The Good Times Were Back Again: Bring It Back Again By The Stray Cats

Weekends haven't been the same since 24K got axed again.  It was my only escape from all pressure and stress that bears down on me every week.  It took me back to the times when life was fun and friends were always there.  It was the next best thing to bringing back to the good times and with the way things are, I'm beginning to wish that I was back in those days.  This urge to go back in time when all the 24K songs were new and fun times abound remind of the song "Bring It Back Again" by The Stray Cats.

As I've mentioned in a lot of my previous posts, I sure miss the days of my youth when things were always fun.  Although I seldom had money, there was always something going on during the weekend.  Most of all, we were listening to a lot of the songs that you can only find on 24K.  They were brand new back then and they were played during the days of my life.

Today is really a different story.  I don't recognize the songs on the radio anymore.  Friends are now hard to find and are busy with their own problems.  Worst part of it is that is that the good times have been replaced with problems ranging from money to family.  Sadly those good times are now just a memory that I hold on to when things are tough.  Though they can't be brought back, I wish they'd bring back the 24K Weekend Program which is the next best thing so that I can listen to those rare songs that were played during the best of times.

I Don't Want To Get Up But I Have To: Why Get Up By The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Feeling a little low again.  If there isn't one problem ruining your mood, it's another.  Unlike comedy shows, problems can hit you very hard and in some cases drive you up the wall.  Times like that, I wish I could just sleep and not wake up.  Feeling that way reminds me of the song "Why Get Up" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Just when I think things are getting good, something happens and everything just hits the fan.  It's been going on like that for the past couple of years.  The only time I feel at peace when the night sets in and everything has died down.  When I shut my eyes, I do the best I can to fall asleep even during times when I don't feel sleepy yet.  Sadly by the time I feel comfortable, my alarm clock rings and it's morning again and once again I have to face another crummy day where some will come out of the blues and sink me to a new low.

Though I wish I can stay in bed and not get up, I can't.  There are commitments that need to be met and issues that need to be addressed.  Apart from that, I have to earn my keep. Well, grown-up life isn't easy so you just have to live with it and deal with it as best as you can.  That's the reason why I have to get up but I don't want to.

How Would I Justify Myself: In My Defense By Queen

Sometimes I wonder how do I summarize myself and the things that I did at the end of my life.   The fact that things have not been going well and that I'm getting older are making me start to wonder about it.  Though I have been trying hard year after year, I've haven't had much success.  As a result, I get a lot of flack for that from time to time.  How I justify myself for the things that I do reminds me of the song "In My Defense" By Freddie Mercury.

So why do I do things that I do?  I guess I wanted to make my own choices and spread my wings.  I wanted to do the things that I want for once.  Unfortunately there were times that I gave into criticism.  Because of that I am where I'm at.  Still some things that I gave up or didn't was because there were people who needed me and now I am making with what I have left.

What keeps me going is the hope that one day some of things that I can still achieve would come true.  I just want to do them my way because sometimes people can put so much pressure on you that you feel suffocated.  I may succeed or I may fail but what is important is that I did on my own free will and it was something that I wanted to do.  That's the best defense I can give on my behalf.

It's Never Easy: It's Hard By the Who

Every time the year starts, the one thing that I pray for is that things will get better for me and my family.  Sadly, what happens is always the opposite.  What's worse is the problems are harder than last year and you really have to dig and weather the new storm that the year has brought.  Nobody said that it would be easy and when new problems come out, it can test you to your limits. When you're again reminded how life is, it's best summed up in the song "It's Hard" by The Who.

As I've said in the first paragraph, something will always remind you that life is not easy.  How you face will depend upon you.  Just like this song, some buckle and complain while others try to find a way.  Some do it the hard way while chose to think things through to find the better.  I'd rather be the latter than the former so long as I find a way out of this hardship that life dumps on me.

Sadly, it's a fact that life is hard.  This is especially true when you're already old.  The worse part is when you're growing older and your options start disappearing.  Despite that, I still believe in changing things around if you keep on fighting.  Well that's  what I've been doing all this years.  I'm trying my best to keep up with life's hardships.

Knowing Who You Are As You Move On: I Got A Name By Jim Croce

Whether you're human, plant, animal or an inanimate object, you have a name.  People sometimes take that for granted.  Having not only identifies who you are but also acknowledges you're somebody.  Knowing that helps keep you moving through life.  One song that reminds of that is Jim Croce's "I Got A Name".

Quentin Tarantino used in the movie "Django Unchained".  I was wondering why he did that because for one thing there were no highways back in the Old West.  Then it hit me that in the case of Django, having a name is all that he had to call his own. As he sets out to rescue his wife, one of the best scenes was when a slave owner asked him his name and if he can spell it and he did adding that the D was silent.  The fact that he knows his name and how to spell is his way of saying I'm my own man and no one can hold me.

Having is a mark of your individuality.  Being proud of your name shows that you're not afraid of anything or anyone and you're ready to face whatever challenge life brings you.  To say your name is to say it with pride because that is who you are.  No one can take away from you.  So carry it proudly as you cruise down life's highway no matter how bumpy it gets.