All is Not Lost… It's Gonna Be Alright

“The only thing worth trying when all else fails is again.”

Sweet words, but I dare admit, very hard to implement.

We all find ourselves in situations that look hopeless, where we feel damned and exploring our options, we find ourselves, much against our will, in ‘Catch 22’ situations.

The good news is that a way out ultimately exists. Only that we either cannot see it, are unwilling to go the extra mile and try, or are just overwhelmed by the gravity of whatever predicament we find ourselves in.

This post is dedicated to that close friend who shared with me their recent distress and anguish yesternight. I hope this post will be of help to my friend, and the rest of you in seemingly insurmountable and dire situations.

Following are lyrics to a very deep song (I think it’s by Tramaine Hawkings). If you can, be sure to listen to it and you will surely be both uplifted and inspired.

ALL IS NOT LOST

“All is not lost when you lose a friend
All is not lost when it isn’t your will
All is not lost when you can begin
to start all over again
All is not lost when you look around
All is not lost when God can be found
All is not lost when faith abounds
you can reach above the clouds
to Heaven’s ground

It’s gonna be alright
We walk by faith and not by sight
Receive the power of His might
For God is on your side
It’s gonna be alright…
(mmmhhh yes it will)

All is not lost when you try to do good
All is not lost when you’ve done all you could
when He said that He would fight your battle
Trust Him, yes you should
All is not lost for Jesus is there
All is not lost He knows what went on
No no no one can compare
To the mercy and grace that He shares
(Oh yes) He knows He knows how much we can bear

It’s gonna be alright
We walk by faith and not by sight
Receive the power of His might
For God is on your side
It’s gonna be alright…
(mmmhh yes it will)

Thank you Lord
Yes it will, I know it will
Alright, alright, alright, alright
All is not lost with God on your side
Alright, alright, alright, alright
All is not lost with God on your side
Don’t you worry no more, alright
It’s gonna be alright, alright
Yeah, all is not lost, trust God in your life
Wipe all tears from your eyes, alright
Alright, alright, it’s gonna be alright
All is not lost, I got faith by my side
Lift your hands, alright
It’s gonna be alright, alright
All is not lost, trust God in your life
Just give it to Jesus
Alright, I know He’s gonna work it out
Alright, All is not lost, with God by your side.”

Never give up. It ain’t over till it’s truly over.

Learn, share and purpose to believe that it’ll be alright eventually.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, determination, faith, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, music, truth, words

God Works in Mysterious Ways. And Miracles Do Happen

‘Prince of Peace’ is a compilation album by various artists. To date, it is my favorite gospel album.

‘Prince of Peace’ features great music by these accomplished artists: 4 Him, Carmen, Kim Hill, Kathy Troccoli, Carolyn Arends, Larnelle Harris, Michael W. Smith, Clay Crosse, Brent Bourgeois, Dallas Holm, Gary Chapman, Michael Card, Twila Paris, Glad, Kim Boyce, Wayne Watson and Wes King.

God Works in mysterious ways, no doubt. The song ‘Mysterious Ways’ by Kim Hill is an inspired and conscious reminder of that undeniable fact.
And a very relevant one, in view of recent happenings in my life.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS
By Kim Hill

Living in this game of chance
Driven by the wheels of circumstance
while at the hand of mercy
Balanced on a changing scale
How can life be strong and yet so frail
what is the deeper meaning?
In my feeble mind I try to find the reason
who knows why it’s hard to say
God works in mysterious ways
Never show what just lies waiting round the corner
Feeling through this haunting maze
God works in mysterious ways
God works in mysterious ways

Knowing there’s a greater plan
Believing still is hard to understand (I don’t understand)
Uncertain things before me (I dont understand)
Dealing with the less I know
Learning that His ways are not my own
But still I keep believing
Making sense of consequences hard to fathom
Looking through this holy haze
God works in mysterious ways
Black and white could surely clear this clouded vision
But I live in a world of grace
God works in mysterious ways
God works in mysterious ways

Questions fall like showers of endless rain
Into oceans of the unexplained
Someday it all will be made known…

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Kim Hill. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

The thing is, God works in mysterious ways. And miracles do happen. Period.
That is my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Learn, share and experience the inexplicable work of God in your life.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, music, prayer

Forever Young, The Good Old Days

Lately, I’ve had the chance to look back at days gone by, to those cherishable moments that truly add value and epitomize meaning in life.

It was then that I thought, “What if Pete was forever young?”

The following song by Alphaville, is a timeless reminder .  .  . Enjoy!

FOREVER YOUNG

Let’s dance in style, lets dance for a while
Heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you going to drop the bomb or not?
Let us die young or let us live forever
We don’t have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music’s for the sad men
Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders we’re getting in tune
The music’s played by the madman

Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever
Forever young

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don’t they stay young
It’s so hard to get old without a cause
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever
So many adventures couldn’t happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true

Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Alphaville. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Learn, share and maintain the spirit of youth.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, choice, determination, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, media, music, Self Discovery, words

You've got to Work Hard for it Sometimes

Life has a way of presenting situations that often seem impossible.

Such situations are usually appropriate for us to go the extra mile, try one more time, gauge our limits or even realize our potential.

And this only happens if we take the initiative. . .

The following song by Amerie is quite relevant during those times when you feel you have reached your tether’s end.

Gotta Work
by Amerie

Sometimes it’s gonna be days like this
Sometimes it’s gonna be rain like this
Sometimes you’re gonna feel pain like this
Sometimes you gotta work hard for it

Because when u feeling low
And u cant get no lower
That’s when u know your close
Sometimes u gotta work hard for it

Woke up in the morning
It’s another cloudy day
But that never mattered too much to me
‘Cause it’s still a new beginning
And I know I got it in me
Had my share of ups and downs
But now I know I can do anything

Some people think I’m aggressive
‘Cause I know what I want
But that never mattered too much to me

Show me some body with no goal
Show me some body with no control
‘Cause life is for living
So go and get it
When times get rough remember

[chorus]
Sometimes it’s gonna be days like this
Sometimes it’s gonna be rain like this
Sometimes you’re gonna feel pain like this
Sometimes you gotta work hard for it

Because when u feeling low
And u can’t get no lower
That’s when u know your close
Sometimes u gotta work hard for it

Ohh gotta get it
Hey hey hey
Sometimes the road may seem too far
You never really know for sure
If you’re ever gonna make it
Sometimes the end may seem so far
You never really know for sure
If u got the strength to make it

But u gotta remember

[chorus]
Sometimes it’s gonna be days like this
Sometimes it’s gonna be rain like this
Sometimes you’re gonna feel pain like this
Sometimes you gotta work hard for it

Because when u feeling low
And u can’t get no lower
That’s when u know your close
Sometimes u gotta work hard for it

Days like this
Rain like this

Do it cause I love it
Feel like this
Gotta work hard for it

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Amerie. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and believe in ourselves. That we can do anything. If only we try hard enough.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, choice, determination, faith, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, positivity, Progress, Self Discovery, words

Pray. Deep from your heart, since the world has lost the way

Inspiration comes to us from many places. Nothing however, compares to what happens when we connect with God, in prayer and supplication. The outcome is invariably beyond comprehension.

At a time when countless bad things are happening in our lives, our country and even globally, we need to connect with God in prayer. Now is the time to pray, deep from our hearts.

Following is a very inspiring song by Celine Dion. Be uplifted:

PRAYER
By Celine Dion

Can we touch the soul of heaven
Can we unite a sacred lesson
Every child creates a skylight of beauty
Can you hear cathedrals falling
All the universe is calling
Cry a single cello from your heart
Since the world has lost her way
Loneliness journey endlessly
Yet the promised chance remains
Gifts of what could be

So let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain
Prayer

Every voice along the shoreline
Standing still within time
Spinning unresolved the walking
As each season passes
Through wonderland and looking glasses
The secret garden shires beckons you
Gentle flower, don’t fade away
Sweet innocent still harbors thee
In the faith of golden dreams
Where one love lives eternally

Let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain

Prayer
Prayer
Prayer

Bless the children for they are the light
They are the truth of spirit in flight
Yes the children engender the rain
As the river runs through life
Healing their pain
If you could trust with your heart but for time
Sweet angels, conceive you have
Forever and always believed Prayer

Prayer
Prayer
Prayer

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Celine Dion. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and stand in the gap to seek God’s grace in overcoming the odds that are stacked against us.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, faith, hope, Insight, Inspiration, lyrical insight, media, music, prayer, selflessness, words

Judging a Book by More than its Cover: Bigger than My Body

Every now and then, life presents us with situations that are seemingly insurmountable. We find ourselves in great disadvantage. At times, any attempt to do the needful only gets to remind us of our limitations.

At a time when the outcome of our actions is most in doubt, we need to encourage ourselves and strive to surpass our obvious and outward ability. Additionally, even if our efforts do not really bear the expected fruit, we should at least acknowledge the effort made and fully appreciate it. And be proud of the fact that we took the initiative and tried.

Once again, it’s John Mayer with an inspiring song!

Following are lyrics to John Mayer’s song Bigger than My Body from the album Heavier Things.

Be edified!

BIGGER THAN MY BODY

This is a call to the color-blind
This is an IOU
I’m stranded behind a horizon line
Tied up in something true

Yes, I’m grounded
Got my wings clipped
I’m surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I’ll circle
While I’m waiting
For my fuse to dry

Someday I’ll fly
Someday I’ll soar
Someday I’ll be so damn much more
Cause I’m bigger than my body gives me credit for

Why is it not my time?
What is there more to learn?
Shed this skin I’ve been tripping in
Never to quite return

Yes, I’m grounded
Got my wings clipped
I’m surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I’ll circle
While I’m waiting
For my fuse to dry

Someday I’ll fly
Someday I’ll soar
Someday I’ll be so damn much more
Cause I’m bigger than my body gives me credit for
Cause I’m bigger than my body now

Maybe I’ll tangle in the power lines
And it might be over in a second’s time
But I’ll gladly go down in a flame
If the flame’s what it takes to remember my name

Yes, I’m grounded
Got my wings clipped
I’m surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I’ll circle
While I’m waiting
For my fuse to dry
For my fuse to dry

Someday I’ll fly
Someday I’ll soar
Someday I’ll be so damn much more
Cause I’m bigger than my body
I’m bigger than my body
I’m bigger than my body now

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to John Mayer. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and seek to rise above our outward, tangible and obvious limitations. Let us be bigger than our bodies.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, choice, determination, hope, Inspiration, lyrical insight, music, rock music, words

Still in Repair? …Are you Ready? …Or are you Getting There?

I have always loved music by John Mayer, since my college days.
The other day, I decided to increase my John Mayer music collection, and added over 50 tracks to the dozen songs I already had.

And boy, some of the tracks are simply mind-blowing.

A clear favorite is ‘In Repair’, from John Mayer’s third album ‘Continuum’, which won two of the three Grammy awards it was nominated for in 2007.
This is what John Mayer had to say about the Continuum album, “With any trilogy, the third in the series blows it open.” And if you listen to the music, you will agree to that.

Following are the lyrics to ‘In Repair’ by John Mayer.

IN REPAIR

Too many shadows in my room
Too many hours in this midnight
Too many corners in my mind
So much to do to set my heart right

Oh, it’s taken so long
I could be wrong, I could be ready
Oh, but if I take my heart’s advice
I should assume it’s still unsteady
I am in repair
I am in repair

Stood on the corner for a while
To wait for the wind to blow down on me
Hoping it takes with it my old ways
And brings some brand new luck upon me

Oh, it’s taken so long
I could be wrong, I could be ready
Oh, but if I take my heart’s advice
I should assume it’s still unsteady
I am in repair
I am in repair

And now I’m walking in the park
And all of the birds, they dance below me
Maybe when things turn green again
It will be good to say you know me

Oh, it’s taken so long
I could be wrong, I could be ready
Oh, but if I take my heart’s advice
I should assume it’s still unsteady
Oh yeah, I’m never really ready, yeah
Oh yeah, I’m never really ready, yeah
I’m in repair
I’m not together but I’m getting there (x6)

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to John Mayer. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

So, are you still in repair, or are you ready?
But then again, you may not be together yet, but let’s hope you are getting there.

P.S: This post was initially posted on February 27 as a Facebook Note. Read other readers’ thoughts and comments here.

Let us learn, share and continue rocking!

Filed under: Inspiring Music, determination, faith, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, media, music, positivity, Progress, rock music, words

The Rain is Gone. The Sun is Bright. Can You See Clearly Now?

Life sometimes presents challenges and situations that blur our focus. Sometimes, these situations slow us down.

The good thing however, is that these setbacks never last, only tough, forward looking, hopeful and positive people do. These are the people who eventually get to see the bigger picture. Their reward is a crystal clear view in life. Thanks to their attitude and supplication.

The following song is an all-time classic, that I first listened to in an NBA playoffs TV promo way back in 1997.

Be edified:

I Can See Clearly Now
by Jimmy Cliff

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here’s the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
Real, real, real, real bright, bright sunshinin’ day
Yeah, hey, it’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Jimmy Cliff. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and purpose to see the brighter side of things. Only then can we have a clear view of the bigger picture.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, bigger picture, choice, hope, Inspiration, lyrical insight, media, music, positivity, words

It's true. We live in a Beautiful Place

Reminisce

Sometimes, it really feels good when you look back at the good old days. When there was love in our hearts. Before our hearts became dark and evil.

That beautiful place…..

A Beautiful Place

Consider the following by Good Charlotte:

A Beautiful Place

By Good Charlotte

Mother can we start over?
I wanna be the boy I was back then
Before the world came, made me colder
I wanna feel the way I did back then
With love in my heart.

We live in a beautiful place
Let love take away all this pain
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh
We wasted so many days
Our hearts are as dark as the rain
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh

Father, can we start over?
Take me to the places that we lived
Before the days came, made us older
I wanna feel the way I did back then
Before my heart grew cold.

We live in a beautiful place
Let love take away all this pain
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh
We wasted so many days
Our hearts are as dark as the rain
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh, ah oh

Our hearts are as dark as the rain, ah oh
Our hearts are as dark as the rain, ah oh
It’s a beautiful place if we make it
It’s a beautiful place to be wasted, don’t you know?

We live in a beautiful place,
Let love take away all this pain,
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh
We live in a beautiful place,
Let love take away all this pain,
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh, ah oh
We wasted so many days
Our hearts are as dark as the rain
We live in a beautiful place, ah oh, ah oh

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Good Charlotte. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and continue acknowledging and appreciating the best in our world.

Yeah, we live in a beautiful place.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, hope, human condition, human nature, Inspiration, life, love, lyrical insight, rock music

Rain: Continue Living on Hope, Living Life, and Depending on Truth

Rain

Rain epitomizes blessings. It heralds and facilitates growth. Rain renews hope.

The song ‘Rain’ by The Corrs is a personal favourite. Consider the following deep lyrics to a really nice song:

Be edified:

RAIN
By The Corrs

Going crazy in the middle of the night
Slipping, sliding into heavenly bliss…
Fallen angel spinning from the light
Slipping, sliding into heavenly lace…

But it’s all, it’s alright now
‘Cos we’re living for this night for so long now
Yes it’s all, it’s alright

We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die
We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die

Lost and lazy, floating through the dawn
And twisting, turning, in a hazy mist…
Guardian angel of silver and ice
Sweeping, sinking in a stream of light…

But it’s all, (alright…) it’s alright now
‘Cos we’re living for this night for so long now
Yes it’s all, (alright…) it’s alright

We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die
We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die

[Violin solo]

But it’s all, it’s alright now
‘Cos we’re living for this night for so long now
Yes it’s all, it’s alright

We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die
We are living on hope, we are living on life
Depending on truth until the day we die

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to The Corrs. They appear  for educational and personal use only.

Let us learn, share and be hopeful till the end.

Filed under: Inspiring Music, hope, Inspiration, life, lyrical insight, media, music, rain, truth, words