You Shall Rise (Part One)

(Since I cannot get the text and the video of this post to co-exist, I've placed the video in a second post.)

For those of you who've been following the mayhem that's been happening in Darfur, this is not about that. Nor is it a political rant. There have been enough of those. What say we hold onto actions that actually change concretely the situation and let the rest waft into the ether? Just a thought. Music may not be the answer to the world's self-esteem and communication problems (yes i did say self-esteem) but this song is really very inspiring on so many levels that I wanted to share it. I expect music is on a spectrum all it's own anyway.

I really love the energy in this song (by Mattafix) and the scenes of the people and children, getting on with the business of living, in the middle of a war zone (it was filmed on the Chad/Darfur border) It has tremendous personal meaning to me too.

So this goes out to all who are struggling to build new worlds from wastelands-or things that look like them. It starts, i believe, with the planting of a seed that means something to you and then just not quitting.

I hope you also take something out of it that helps with your personal journey, as i certainly did, and remember all those who have so much less than us this festive season. I love that this song is upbeat and hopeful. I like to think he means something very specific when he uses the word "living" a word which means something unique to each of us- surely and yet we know what a good life does not feel like, and of course as is the case here, it means starting with what you have, where you are. I like to think he means living with hope, and joy, even if only you see it, living with a sense that is meaningful to you, living an abundant life-though perhaps that will not mean materialism for you. etc.. make it your own, people!

My favorite line from the song is this:

"You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving"

actually i'll do that again:

"YOU DON"T HAVE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY,JUST FORGIVING"

…surely one of the best ever penned by a man, great or "small". I was really struck by it…

For those of you who don't have internet connections that play nice -the lyrics are here:

Living Darfur – (Mattafix)

See the nation through the people's eyes,
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise!

There's disaster in your past
Boundaries in your path
What do you desire will lift you higher?
You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving.
And those who never heard your cries,
You shall rise!
And look toward the skies.
Where others fail, you prevail in time.
You shall rise.

Awu indoda yam
Hayi bayibulele bo
Hayi indoda yam
Hayi ababanda bam

Ukubu izi ingane zabo zodlala zibuzuswa
Ingane ezindane zabo zodlala zibuziswa

You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low
You shall rise!

Sooner or later we must try…

LIVING

You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low

See the nation through the people's eyes,
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise!

You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low

Sooner or later we must try…

LIVING

Onward, and all that! 😀 Thanks for taking the various times needed to download the music I post, too. :heart: The best from my heart to those in Darfur :heart:

Video to follow, above.

MICH
XOXOX