Restart

 

    Getting back to writing after an unwanted drought can be hard. Getting back to how you started writing can help though.

On the day we first came to be

Hardly I could believe

Love was staring right at me

Each moment after was a relief

'Twas a night of love

Magical but wasn't ours

Engaged, encouraged, and dearly loved

Best wishes to the man and woman of the hour

Ended the bargaining during a wedding

The night was set to bring something new

Hey, let's head out, time is running

Eagerly, I just wanted to be close to you

Relax your mind, I got you covered

Enjoy the escape that for us I prepared

For I knew that when life's got you cornered

Often times you'd forget, that ain't what you deserve

Restart, hold on to me, I guess

Yes, I'm bluntly stating this request

Or should you not prefer the way I express

Unlocking your smile should then be my first quest, but

Escaping wouldn't take us anywhere

Life shouldn't be lived unplanned

It could get smoother if we would stick together

And if you'd start seeing me as someone who could be your man

Honestly, it wouldn't be easy

Keep in mind, at times it could be tiring, but

I'd be here for the whole journey, and I'd

Make you mine; stopping at nothing.

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Human: You, Man, and Music

Being a lover of music ever since I was a child, I was able to listen to musicians/songwriters from different generations. With the wonders of today's technology, I should really be very grateful for being able to experience timeless (or and sometimes dated) music.

With that, I observed a common subject: being human. Many songwriters wrote about events that happened to them which in turn were relatable to listeners. Relatability, for me, could be the primary reason why songs could sell or become hits.

Interestingly, there were also songs written bearing the same title, or almost identical ones, like these three: 

1) Only Human by the Jonas Brothers

"Only Human" promotional photo from Wikipedia

As part of their massive 2019 comeback, the Jonas Brothers released an album called "Happiness Begins" and one of the singles was "Only Human".

Unlike the other songs on this list, this had a lighter subject and was not in any way about the tragedy of being trapped in the cycle of sadness. However, it talked of the indecisiveness and lack of focus that humans normally have. 

Described in the form of romance, human's indecisiveness often becomes a hindrance in letting happiness begin. In reality, the described romance may be replaced with dreams and goals that we are so used to dream and fantasize of without actually doing the work and.effort required.

2) Only Human by Jason Mraz

"Only Human" promotional photo from Wikipedia

Perhaps this was the most beautiful composition among the three on this list. Jason Mraz gave his listeners another masterfully-created craft. Starting off with a smooth bassline, the song's opening lines were ushered in as he sang "A squirrel in the tree, is he watching me? Does he give a damn? Does he care who I am?". Questions were already asked and the mystery of the song would just go on until its final chord would be played.

Like most of his compositions, actual meanings were left to the listeners' own interpretations. With that, there could be tons of literal and figurative interpretations of the song, which in turn captured the very essence of being human - being adaptive to cope with the different seasons of life, being open to changes.

3) You're Only Human (Second Wind) by Billy Joel

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" promotional photo from Wikipedia

As opposed to Jason Mraz's seemingly metaphorical composition of "Only Human", Billy Joel's "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" featured straightforward and clear storytelling about someone who was about to lose it, told by someone who had conquered his/her inner demons.

Billy Joel was also depressed for a time which in turn led to both sad moments of his life and also truly heartfelt compositions like this one and "Tomorrow Is Today". 

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" talked about the importance of standing up again, and.bouncing back from your mistakes and failures. 

Although positive encouragement is great and will always be welcomed, the case is not like that most of the time. Mistakes and failures often define the personality of a person as dictated by the society in which we live in. And that is one human flaw we shall try to refrain from doing. Certain mistakes and wrongdoings shall be punished, penalized even, however, there are still some that should be treated with compassion and understanding. One must know where the fine line is.

"Don't forget your second wind," as the song reminds us.

Silencing Resilience

There is nothing worse than failing, except for the fact, perhaps,  that you had given your all - effort, force, time, money, and almost everything - but still failed. Good thing there are things such as these: resilience, second chances which really turns into multiple chances, and redeeming. 

A scene in the movie "Rocky Balboa" had Rocky and his son, Robert, confronting about the struggle that they have had in their relationship as father and son. Eventually, Rocky spoke this very moving line: "But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth." 

A scene from Rocky Balboa

There would always be room for improvement, just as there would be enough space for you getting back up and showing that resilience you have in you. Perseverance, determination, aggressiveness, and yes, resilience. These are the virtues that Rocky spoke about. You would know this especially if you have watched the Rocky movie series starting from the first one. He has had losses, but he always got back up and fought his way into the title. That has been his story. Losing and then, winning. That was how winning was done.

Photo by Frantisek Duris from unsplash.com

This is not to criticize that movie (I love that movie, I like Stallone!), but what if it does not need to be "losing and then, winning" and "just winning" instead? Why not give your supreme effort, strength, heat, and everything in your first shot?

Take for example during examinations in schools, we always say this whenever we fail exams: "I will just review more, and study harder for the next examination." Another one goes like this: "I will spend more time studying and not waste my time for the next examinations."

You know that there will be an exam, and you know that you may fail if you will not study and spend more time for learning; yet, you took it for granted because you know there will be more exams to come which may give you chances to redeem yourself.

From my point of view, I see this idea of resilience as an excuse for incompetence and lack of discipline. Instead of doing the wrong things, why don't we do the right things which will eventually lead us to our aim? Being resilient is good because it shows that you can still go back after a beating. You can still take the hit and move forward despite things crashing onto you.

There is way out though. In safety management, there's a saying that goes like this - Accidents are best prevented when? Before they happen. This means that if you have the chance to stop a scenario from happening, then take it and act upon it.

The aftermath of a storm in the Philipines from Rappler.com

If you have a chance to stop failing, act upon it. Think of the things that you must change, improve, or retain. A part of being resilient is being able to adapt and change and grow. That being said, not learning and just letting things go on a repeat is not a display of true resilience.

If you're going to waste your chance to go back up, you are just going to silence your chance. What really matters here is that you give not your almost everything, but your everything, instead. All you got for your goal!

Resilience is good, but not until it becomes a habit, a cycle that will just go on repeat. 

*Photos were grabbed from the Internet and all thanks are for those who own it. For sharing purposes only. Thank you for understanding.

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