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Pop music in this decade has taken on a positive message. One Republic, a pop band from Colorado, has released hit after hit from their album, NATIVE. One song that I particularly like is titled, “I Lived.” Written by lead singer and band organizer, Ryan Tedder, “I Lived” has a remarkable beat and unforgettable words. Once I get it going in my head, I hear it there night and day.
Tedder wrote “I Lived” for his four year old son. When discussing the meaning of this song in an interview with People magazine, he said, “So for every day that you’re on this earth, for every minute that you have, the whole idea is doing nothing less than exactly what you feel you’re supposed to do and squeezing every last drop out of life every day, regardless of the difficulties or trials that you face.”
The song begins with the line, “Hope when you take that jump, you don’t feel the fall.” What good advice for a dad to give to a young son. What jump are you waiting to take? “Hope when the water rises, you built a wall.” Life happens, doesn’t it? We can make some preparations, like having a spiritual practice and a network of friends and loved ones.
“Hope when the crowd screams, they’re screaming your name.” Everyone deserves to feel that he/she is on top at least once in life. “Hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay. Hope that you fall in love, and it hurts so bad. The only way you can know, you gave it all you had. And I hope that you don’t suffer, but take the pain. Hope when the moment comes, You’ll say I, I, I, – I did it all. I owned every second that this world could give. I saw so many places, the things that I did. With every broken bone, I swear, I lived!”
In the next round, Tedder sings, “I wish I could witness all your joy and all your pain.” Are we not meant to witness each other’s achievements and challenges? Somehow those highs and lows are not as memorable without someone to witness them. For whom are you the witness? Do you take that responsibility and privilege seriously? Parents and grandparents, do you show up and give your kids’ lives meaning?
Visit OneRepublic.com to listen to the music. I would love to know what you think of this song and if it inspires you to reach for all that life has to give, as it has me. I hope that when your moment comes, you will say, “I,I,I – I did it all!"
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