The potential and possibility of a human life is almost boundless. Without a set destiny people are free to have their lives be directed, guided, based or motivated by a wide range of influences mostly of their choosing. The following is a partial list of goals and qualities which can become the central force in deciding how one acts and finds meaning in life. The impelling force in their life can be an ideal, cause, stance, viewpoint, bias, passion, interest, priority, value, ethic or lens.
The first four stanzas are snapshots of a few of these forces and the impact it has on their experience. Leah, Pam, Ben and Curt become exhibits of a general way of being in and viewing the world. Odds are that none of them sense that this is a choice they have made, or that they could in fact behave and think differently.
Some make life a thought or dream
You can see it in their eyes you can hear it in their lies
Some make it all a cause or scheme
You can feel a sense of shame in their honor of the game
Our competitive and exploitative society often overemphasizes a persons responsibility in their level of social success, having the less fortunate be a source of ridicule and blame. Yet, the singer wants everyone to know that this is not necessarily true.
You don’t have to earn a living
You don’t have to earn your life
The choices people make and the talents they foster are often viewed from the outside as being the cause of their success, failures or social status. Yet, the reality of the situation is that the course of two people who have harbored the same goals and made the similar decisions might end up extremely differently. One cheered and praised the other blamed and second guessed by the society at large.
This being the case the singer advocates that one do their best to spend more time enjoying the gift of life and less on trying to figure it all out, or earn success.
When all is said and done
Feel joy and have some fun,
share your love with everyone
Just treasure
The gift of life
Let us savor
The gift of life
lyrics
Gift of Life 12/23/2010
Leah walked through life with a parasol
Protecting her from sun and rain
The hours she spent in front of her mirror
She scrutinized her dress, but not her own gaze
Busy and indifferent as a city street
Pam marched through her day
While at work she was a tyrant
Yet at home timid and afraid
Ben read books by the boatload
He sat in silence as others played
He enjoyed thought and imagination
Science and religion his only friends
Curt fought hard for his country
He wanted to do the right thing
Haunted by ghastly memories (he asks)
How can he live when they’re dead?
Some make life a thought or dream
You can see it in their eyes you can hear it in their lies
Some make it all a cause or scheme
You can feel a sense of shame in their honor of the game
When all is said and done
Feel joy and have some fun, share your love with eveyone
Like the eyes of the sage
Delight in all you see what was and what will be
You don’t have to earn a living
You don’t have to earn your life
You don’t have to fight for freedom
You don’t have to hate one another
Just treasure
The gift of life
Let us savor
The gift of life
credits
from Beacons,
released April 9, 2016
Vocals Jim Guido
Sax Jim Guido
Bass Jim Guido
Guitar Jim Guido
Keyboards Jim Guido
Drums Radix Fauq
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