On the drive home from work, a song came on that just grooved right with my mood. I felt I understood exactly what they were trying to get across, and agreed completely. This has happened before on this song, and is probably why I've decided it is my favorite on the album. This song is "Wet Sand", by RHCP, from their Stadium Arcadium album. Below are the lyrics for your enjoyment, though I recommend listening to it a few times before you'll find meaning to it.
My shadow side so amplified
Keeps coming back dissatisfied
Elementary son but it’s so...
My love affair with everywhere
Was innocent why do you care
Someone start the car time to go...
You’re the best I know
My sunny side has up and died
I’m betting that when we collide
The universe will shift into a low
The travesties that we have seen
Are treating me like benzedrine
Automatic laughter from a pro
My what a good day for a walk outside
I like to get to know you little better baby
God knows that I really tried
My what a good day for a takeout bride
I’d like to say we did it for the better of
I saw you there so unaware
Those hummingbirds all in your hair
Elementary sun but its so
The disrepair of Norma Jean
Could not compare to your routine
Balarama beauty going toe to toe
My what a good day for a let it slide
I’d like to say we did it for the better of
I thought about it and I brought it out
I’m motivated by the lack of doubt
I’m consecrated but I’m not devout
The mother, the father, the daughter
Right on the verge just one more dose
I’m traveling from coast to coast
My theory isn’t perfect but it’s close
I’m almost there why should I care
My heart is hurting when I share
Someone open up
Let it show
My what a good day for a walk outside
I’d like to think we did it for the better of
I thought about it and I brought it out
I’m motivated by the lack of doubt
I’m consecrated but I’m not devout
The mother, the father, the daughter
Oh
You don’t form in the wet sand,
You don’t form at all
Woah you don’t form in the wet sand,
I do
Yeah
You don’t form in the wet sand,
You don’t form at all
Woah you don’t form in the wet sand,
I do
Yeah
This song, to me, is the heart of the album. I thought about sharing what this means to me, but I'd rather let you make up your own opinion. Maybe I'll share next time. For the record, I believe this album is one of those in which each listen through allows you to further appreciate what you're hearing.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Lesson in Falling on Grenades
Warning: I know this topic may make some of you uncomfortable, so I apologize in advance. Please note that this is not necessarily my belief, but more of a topic I felt like delving into and considering. I’d like if you would consider it as well.
No one wants to die, to be killed or end their existence (unless they believe it to be a better alternative, such as to end pain, or go on to the afterlife – thus improving their current condition). At the core of every person, at the very base layer of the human psyche is the instinct for survival. By design, we are hardwired to resort to self preservation. This instinct is often covered up by all the other frivolous “needs” that society has taught us is important. Maslow's hierarchy of needs further demonstrates this topic. But it is there, in all of us. The point is that whether or not we admit to it, we are all selfish by nature. Even those who behave selflessly receive a sense of joy and accomplishment for their efforts, find their reward through their actions and the knowledge that they’ve made a difference. I know this sounds cynical, and is to a point. I’m approaching this from a logical position. But what does all this mean? Why does it even matter?
The survival instinct is the quintessential driving force behind our society’s greatest accomplishments, as well as its catastrophic failures. We struggle to improve the conditions we live in to better ensure our survival. At the same time, these “improvements” can result in great or terrible achievements, as we often don’t take into account the effects of our actions. That is a topic for another time though (society’s short-sightedness, concern for only present situations). This is because while we are “all in this together”, we still strive as individuals, to be individuals, with our own individual goals, which trump any other missives. On the surface, we may not always show it, but underneath, in the vast majority, this is true. Only when confronted with death, truly looking it in the face, will our survival nature “kick in” and fully control our actions. The only cases I can think of where this doesn’t hold true is in the faithfully religious, who believe death is not an end, or the insane. A great demonstration of this is in a book I read, which is not for those lacking maturity due to its graphic and brutal content, called A Rage for Revenge, by David Gerrold. Reading the first two books wouldn’t hurt either.
It may be possible that an ideal society is born out of breaking the survival mentality, and replacing it with a selfless, unifying instinct. Truly believing that we are all in this together, and the benefit of the whole always is more important than the self. It is not that no one has ever believed this, but in order for it to work, EVERYONE would have to LIVE this concept. Keep in mind this is an ideal concept, that will never be realized. There is also a clear distinction between a ‘one for all’ mentality, and assimilation.
I digress. I really just wanted to get some thoughts out, and also get you thinking as well. I feel there is a chance I lost some of what I wanted to get across in this post, so please comment if you have questions or want clarification, or have your own thoughts on this matter.
No one wants to die, to be killed or end their existence (unless they believe it to be a better alternative, such as to end pain, or go on to the afterlife – thus improving their current condition). At the core of every person, at the very base layer of the human psyche is the instinct for survival. By design, we are hardwired to resort to self preservation. This instinct is often covered up by all the other frivolous “needs” that society has taught us is important. Maslow's hierarchy of needs further demonstrates this topic. But it is there, in all of us. The point is that whether or not we admit to it, we are all selfish by nature. Even those who behave selflessly receive a sense of joy and accomplishment for their efforts, find their reward through their actions and the knowledge that they’ve made a difference. I know this sounds cynical, and is to a point. I’m approaching this from a logical position. But what does all this mean? Why does it even matter?
The survival instinct is the quintessential driving force behind our society’s greatest accomplishments, as well as its catastrophic failures. We struggle to improve the conditions we live in to better ensure our survival. At the same time, these “improvements” can result in great or terrible achievements, as we often don’t take into account the effects of our actions. That is a topic for another time though (society’s short-sightedness, concern for only present situations). This is because while we are “all in this together”, we still strive as individuals, to be individuals, with our own individual goals, which trump any other missives. On the surface, we may not always show it, but underneath, in the vast majority, this is true. Only when confronted with death, truly looking it in the face, will our survival nature “kick in” and fully control our actions. The only cases I can think of where this doesn’t hold true is in the faithfully religious, who believe death is not an end, or the insane. A great demonstration of this is in a book I read, which is not for those lacking maturity due to its graphic and brutal content, called A Rage for Revenge, by David Gerrold. Reading the first two books wouldn’t hurt either.
It may be possible that an ideal society is born out of breaking the survival mentality, and replacing it with a selfless, unifying instinct. Truly believing that we are all in this together, and the benefit of the whole always is more important than the self. It is not that no one has ever believed this, but in order for it to work, EVERYONE would have to LIVE this concept. Keep in mind this is an ideal concept, that will never be realized. There is also a clear distinction between a ‘one for all’ mentality, and assimilation.
I digress. I really just wanted to get some thoughts out, and also get you thinking as well. I feel there is a chance I lost some of what I wanted to get across in this post, so please comment if you have questions or want clarification, or have your own thoughts on this matter.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Son Observes
Empty. Void. Nothing. No uncomfortable fear, nor calm serenity. They don’t exist. It has always been this way...but no longer - potential is born, so vast and electrifying that it feels to burst containment. But there is no space. Intention flashes, burning impossibly bright; fueled by will. A tiny light settles slowly into the fray, qualming all around it. The divine spark makes contact, and existence bursts forth. Ethereal bodies form, the complexity of nature embedded in their roots. As the universe begins its endless dance, potential permeates and saturates it. Last, the Seed of Creation is planted, as a peaceful respite replaces the burning will.
The chains of inevitability break, releasing freedom. I wonder; into what will this Seed blossom? Has this ever happened before? Will it ever happen again? With Choice in the balance, how could this end? I look to my Father, approval shining down on His creation. I turn back to observe the Beginning, and wonder – can they handle Choice? Will I have to save them? Am I even able? If not, I will die trying…
The chains of inevitability break, releasing freedom. I wonder; into what will this Seed blossom? Has this ever happened before? Will it ever happen again? With Choice in the balance, how could this end? I look to my Father, approval shining down on His creation. I turn back to observe the Beginning, and wonder – can they handle Choice? Will I have to save them? Am I even able? If not, I will die trying…
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