when life is hard, you have to change
Daisy - my trusty ride
One of the hardest things for me in life is trying to navigate the seemingly never-ending “noise” in my mind. Especially when I decide to sit down to write it out. The current state of the world feels like an illegal subwoofer polluting my peace.
Like many, I write because I believe that what I have to say may impact my readers enough to resonate with their own feelings and experiences. Too often though, the trouble I encounter is the dissonance between the power the original idea struck me with and translating it to pen and paper (or on a keyboard).
The driving force behind that original idea blurs by the time it gets here. Just like strength training, I have to train my writing muscles to maintain their focus and avoid the depressing distractions of the world. When I train with weights or words, I feel a sense of clarity, strength, and satisfaction.
If you’ve never ridden a motorcycle before it may not make sense to you but when I ride, I experience a unique clarity. I truly settle into a flow. Something about being immersed in the world passing by on a motorcycle heightens my senses and calms my thoughts; the pavement inches below my feet, the rush of wind on my face and by my ears, the growl of the engine, the smells of hot pavement on a summer day, freshly cut grass, farmland and more.
Riding requires presence. It forces connection with your vehicle and disconnection with any unnecessary distractions.
This afternoon as I rode parallel to the Ohio River just beyond downtown Pittsburgh, the noise in my mind was LOUD. I found myself thinking of all the things I need to get done: the immediate tasks and the BIG IDEAS. My mind wrestled with what should take priority. I also thought of my friends and family; those I am grateful to have seen recently, and those I feel guilty for not connecting with more regularly.
And as I rode, the song “Change” by Blind Melon came on the radio. (Yes, I listen to music while I ride. No, it is not a distraction)
I had never heard it before. But like a lot of 90’s Alt Rock the lyrics spoke to my motivated, yet sometimes melancholy soul. After a bit of research, I found the singer & songwriter, Shannon Hoon had written it the morning following a drug binge.
The song starts with some serious somber tones; Hoon questions if he could see the sun from his current state.
“As I sit here in this misery
I don't think I'll ever, no, Lord
See the sun from here”
He continues to share some of the judgment he’s experienced while noting those doing the condemning are the ones who really need to change…
“’Hey, look at him
I'll never live that way’
And that's okay
They're just afraid to change”
The first half of 2025 has felt a lot like this song’s beginning. But just like life, hope lives on.
As the acoustic melody continues, Hoon finds and shares a message of hopeful change for the better.
“And when you feel your life ain't worth living
You've got to stand up, and take a look around you
And you look up, way to the sky, yeah
And when your deepest thoughts are broken
Keep on dreamin', boy
'Cause when you stop dreamin', it's time to die”
Don’t miss the message here…we have to keep on dreamin’ boy! No matter what your dreams may be.
So many people start out hot with the fire and passion of a fresh dream, yet the chaos and noise of the world beats them down. Down into submission.
No matter what your dreams may be, do what you must to keep on dreamin’!
Hoon punctuates a potent messsage that despite the misery and judgment he’s felt, what he has to say remains worthwhile…
“But I know we can't all stay here forever
So, I wanna write my words on the face of today
And then, they'll paint it”
And finally, a call to action. He seems to have found the sun.
“‘Hey, look at him
And where he is these days’
When life is hard, you have to change
When life is hard, you have to change”
The misery that led him to drug use and judgment for his lifestyle is hard. Unfortunately, too many in this position never find the sun again.
Yet he paints a picture where those former haters are looking at a changed man. He reminds us that when life is hard, you have to change.
If life feels hard and you won’t be able to see the sun, you have to change.
I’m here if you need a hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1WbBaWTdc&list=RDYn1WbBaWTdc&index=1