Some People Change
"Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change. "
That's the refrain to a Montgomery Gentry song. Isn't "Montgomery Gentry" a great cowboy name?
I heard that song this morning on a Sirius satellite radio channel - a thing that came with my new car. I like that song. It's sappy and country and inspirational in its cowboy way. It reminded me of my equally sappy daughter who likes country music and with whom I have an ongoing conversation about how we change.
Changing does require being strong and brave. Strong enough to act the way we want to be, even if we don't feel that way inside. Brave enough to counter our inward insecurities with outward evidence to the contrary - by stepping out and being the change we want to see - in the world (1), in our families, in ourselves.
The secret is that being the person I always wanted to be - say, kind, wise, generous, prayerful - doesn't happen because I am already all those things inside, which then just naturally pour out. It happens as a result of actions, of things I do that are kind and generous which, as a result, teach me and make me wise which, as a result, makes me humbly prayerful and full of gratitude.
All the wonderful traits we want to be are the result of choices to act — not the prerequisite. You don't have to feel kind and gooshy in order to act kindly toward another person. You just have to believe it is the right thing to do, and then do it.
Then, that old cliche comes true: "Love isn't love 'till you give it away." It is in the giving that we receive what it is we value.
Now, if you know me at all, and if you clicked on the link above, you are probably thinking, "What in the world is Carrie doing listening to country music and cowboys for godsake?"
Well, a few years ago, one of my new year's resolutions was to stop bashing country music.
So, I did. Now when my daughter plays it I don't groan and change the station. And when I tool around the Virginia countryside, sometimes I listen to it and reminds me of all the sweet Southern folk I have come to know and love. The lyrics make me laugh ("I'd rather have a bottle-in-front-o-me than a frontal lobotamy") and cry ("... see that baby in the back seat sleepin' like a rock"). What can I say? Some people change.
Copyright (c) 2008
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change. "
That's the refrain to a Montgomery Gentry song. Isn't "Montgomery Gentry" a great cowboy name?
I heard that song this morning on a Sirius satellite radio channel - a thing that came with my new car. I like that song. It's sappy and country and inspirational in its cowboy way. It reminded me of my equally sappy daughter who likes country music and with whom I have an ongoing conversation about how we change.
Changing does require being strong and brave. Strong enough to act the way we want to be, even if we don't feel that way inside. Brave enough to counter our inward insecurities with outward evidence to the contrary - by stepping out and being the change we want to see - in the world (1), in our families, in ourselves.
The secret is that being the person I always wanted to be - say, kind, wise, generous, prayerful - doesn't happen because I am already all those things inside, which then just naturally pour out. It happens as a result of actions, of things I do that are kind and generous which, as a result, teach me and make me wise which, as a result, makes me humbly prayerful and full of gratitude.
All the wonderful traits we want to be are the result of choices to act — not the prerequisite. You don't have to feel kind and gooshy in order to act kindly toward another person. You just have to believe it is the right thing to do, and then do it.
Then, that old cliche comes true: "Love isn't love 'till you give it away." It is in the giving that we receive what it is we value.
Now, if you know me at all, and if you clicked on the link above, you are probably thinking, "What in the world is Carrie doing listening to country music and cowboys for godsake?"
Well, a few years ago, one of my new year's resolutions was to stop bashing country music.
So, I did. Now when my daughter plays it I don't groan and change the station. And when I tool around the Virginia countryside, sometimes I listen to it and reminds me of all the sweet Southern folk I have come to know and love. The lyrics make me laugh ("I'd rather have a bottle-in-front-o-me than a frontal lobotamy") and cry ("... see that baby in the back seat sleepin' like a rock"). What can I say? Some people change. Copyright (c) 2008
Okay, so Seattle informs me that Kenny Chesney did a better version of the song Some People Change, and HE is the one who is known for that song. Shows how much I know about country music. But, I swear it was the Gentry dude I heard on Sirius radio.
Reply to this
Oh, Mom! You are so wonderful and inspiring. I can't wait to come home and give you a BIG hug!
Reply to this
This is one way that Mark changed me long ago. He's a huge country fan, and while my first love is more rock 'n roll and jazz, I've grown to appreciate country music. It isn't all goofy and it does in fact speak to a lot of the heartache and challenges that are just very human. Think Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and even Bob Dylan!
Reply to this