Born to Run

I have finally just finished reading @Springsteen's autobiography - yes quite late I know. I'm only behind the times on this one for no reason other than I was finishing up my masters degree and had no time for reading for pleasure for quite a while.  I muddled my way through the first half of his story while my left brain was being pummeled and strengthened by accounting principles, and I found little enjoyment or soul energy in my reading. 

However, with my energies free to pursue the heart and soul in my reading once again, I now finish his story deeply moved, inspired and emboldened. Along with a shadow of sadness cast over a piece of my heart - the same piece that has been encaptured by his music and lyrics throughout my life.

The interviews and the news pieces I have seen about his story have all focused on his revelation about mental illness and depression. They have given it the same time and attention they give to any popular topic at the moment. Knowing he has suffered so greatly brings me to a place of compassion and understanding. Watching Bruce sing " I hung my head" at Sting's Kennedy Center honors already told me that story and he now openly lets us peer into the private moments of his dark ladder in his own words.

I've never been one to admire fame -fortune yes I wouldn't mind a bit of that, but I never look upon famous people and believe that they are any different from the rest of us. I hold no regard for fame. With that said, I have attended many Springsteen concerts where I could have sworn the second coming was appearing before me. However, it was always where I was touched down deep inside that left me feeling a connection to the art and music and stories more than the person himself. 

As I finished reading his eloquent and beautiful words about his journey and the love that has brought him through it, I am finding more appreciation for the man behind the art and his humanness, his openness, his willingness to expose his internal world to the rest of us. That has only added an exponent to the effect his music has had and will continue to have in my individual world.

I'm not writing this to critique a piece of literature. I am not writing to talk about the importance of the conversation around mental health. I am writing this because I have been deeply moved and am grateful once again for the connection Bruce weaves between himself, his audience and all of the human family. So this is my thank you to a beautiful soul who walks this earth the same time I have and my gratitude to another who embraces the complexities of life and emotion in a world that floats on the surface of reality shows and celebrity gossip. Thank you for being one of the passionate ones. #notalone #soulman #borntorun

#108 Living Proof by Bruce Springsteen

"You shot through my anger and rage

To show me my prison was just an open cage

There were no keys no guards

Just one frightened man and some old shadows for bars"

Today was a birthday party for my son who is turning four next week. We had his party at a historical carousel. It was magic. Not the carousel or the presents or all the people who came because of their love for him. It was his face. I saw pure happiness as he rode around on the carousel horse with his friends around him. 

Pure happiness and my heart ached with the "missing words to some prayer...a prayer I could never make". A prayer of love, thankfulness, and a knowing. I had a moment of "undying light" where I knew what all this was for. It was a glimpse only and with a quick return to earthly matters I locked it away quickly in my heart. I don't know what it was or of what it was proof, but it was real and fragile and came from my son. You gave me the greatest gift today and every day. 

Happy Birthday bud!!!

For complete lyrics:  http://m.brucespringsteen.net/songs/living-proof#sid-409

#springsteen

@springsteen

#107 Livin' in the Future by Bruce Springsteen

"I'm Rollin' through town

A lost cowboy at sundown 

got my monkey on a leash 

got my ear turned to the ground 

My Faith's been torn asunder 

tell me is that rolling thunder 

Or just a sinking sound of something righteous going under"

A call to action.  Everyone still says "we live in the greatest country";"this is the land of the free". Well is it? Just because that is what it's supposed to be, it does not mean we're living up to that ideal in any way. In some areas we have made a lot of progress toward giving that level of personal freedom, and in other ways we have taken it back from certain people in certain groups at certain times as is deemed necessary. It is no longer just a fear of what may happen in our uncertain world, but it is now the reality we live in. Our country and the rest of the world has taken us many steps back in terms of progress as a civilization. We can no longer just sit back and make the claims mentioned at the outset and expect it to be so. We need to demand more from ourselves, our leaders, and each other.  

#springsteen

@springsteen

For complete lyrics visit: 

http://m.brucespringsteen.net/songs/livin-in-the-future