Sometimes wisdom comes in unexpected ways.
As a songwriter, it's the biggest compliment when someone resonates and connects to lyrics I've written from the heart. We often receive wonderful and heart warming messages from fans and friends about our music. Today, I want to share with you a beautiful, unique, and wise email I received from a fan in California (inspired by our song "Three Deep Breaths"). Riana, Dalten, and I all deeply connected with the inspiring message behind it, and so I wanted to pass along the wisdom:
Derik. I love all your songs, and for many reasons. But THREE DEEP BREATHS hits me on three levels. I am 77, so have seen a lot of life, and lived many mistakes, but still love life and am optimistic. So my three levels that I count as primal importance are: Life is a trip not a destination; When you commit, don't forget your commitment; Patience is not a virtue, it is a necessity of life.
This song covers all aspects of above.
As I said at a wedding some years ago: "Don't just love each other; love the bond that brought you together. There are times when loving one another is not enough to conquer the challenge you two are facing. You must turn to the bond that put you together, and love it so much that you'll fight harder. And you must fight it as TWO not just one. That way you are both on the same side fighting as one, against the adversary, not each other. [My partner] has stood by me and I her, as we have fought against many obstacles. And we have persevered for going on 40+ wonderful years.
When we fell in love, we both said we wanted to enjoy the journey… wherever it took us. We still are enjoying that journey. The example that best shows what that is all about, is my feeling that when you get to the destination, where do you go? Find another destination? What if you both look and find divergent destinations? Tragedy. But if you both keep moving down the journey, sharing all that it brings, then there is no destination. Just the joy of adventure.
Today's world shows you more options than you can imagine. So distraction is easy. And quick decisions dangerous when the future is on the line. Being thoughtful and focused and remembering what you promised is tough. But weighing and measuring in a thorough manner gets you through. Then you don't have to apologize, correct, make excuses. You are on the path described above, and anyone who doesn't understand? Well that is their problem, not yours.
So, Taking Three Deep Breaths you use the patience to reflect, remember, recommit, and continue the journey.
Thank you for that song,
R.
Livermore, CA