My iPod is a non-conforming cacophony of musical variance and surprises. This morning, as I was listening to the randomness of my taste in tunes, an old goodie comes on – “Pop Life” by Prince. Most of you know it when you hear it. The lyrics are something like
What’s the matter with your life?
Is the poverty bringing U down?
Is the mailman jerking U ’round?
Did he put your million dollar check
In someone else’s box?
I’ve listened to this song a million times before, but the lyrics fell on my ears in a different way today. Lately, my mind has been encumbered with recession woes, unemployment fears, family members not getting along and ultimately, things not working out the way that I think they should. But that’s life, right? These things can’t be avoided. Life is all about how you respond to this crap. “Life, it ain’t real funky unless it’s got that pop.”
So the little, wise voice in my head asks… What’s your purpose today? Where do you fit in? Where are you forcing it? We all got a space to fill. What’s your “pop?” I’m working on answers. Maybe you are too.
[alert style=”white”] A sidenote of trivial nature: the noise snippet at the end of the song is rumored to be from a concert where Prince, early in his career, was booed off the stage as the opening act for
Rolling Stones. If this is true, what a creative way to say, ‘how you like me now?’ [/alert]
suraya says:
I have found myself asking these same questions to myself over the last few years. Sadly, I have found no answers as of yet. The “how’s” on finding the answer is what gets me in a knot that cannot be unravelled…at least not yet. When you figure out how to find the answers please share.
kenn says:
Suraya, I think the answers may be different for everyone. There are the more common platitudes that people toss around that don’t really say anything but those are pretty useless beyond sounding wise. Our purpose can change from day to day. Maybe mine was to be transparent and share this post that would have people wondering if I’m “okay” or maybe it’s to find a new level of endurance that deals directly with my attitude toward things. I’ll keep you posted.
Katina says:
Well bro, I was beginning to wonder how you were doing, so I’m glad you posted 🙂 I’d give you a ring, but I’m still waiting for my voice to return. My son says I sound like a monster right now (lol!) smh. Real quick though, I second the notion about that “new level of endurance that deals directly with” one’s attitude toward things.
Suraya says:
The answers will most definitely be different for each individual. From what I gather when asking people on the “hows” no one really knows that answer. For the most part I see what works for those who have found the answers which is to embark on a journey to India or some country where one finds a guru to be taught how to get to that point of finding meaning in life. Who knows it may work it may not. I am hoping a getaway to Italy next year gets me at least to the door of finding out the “how”.
kenn says:
I don’t know that you have to travel to a place to figure out the “how.” Although traveling to places definitely opens your mind to think in different ways. I think I need a vacation too 🙂
MonCherie says:
Prolific stuff. Inspiring. Wow!
kenn says:
Thanks, Cherie and yes, I’m okay.
tiffany says:
I often struggle about what my purpose is in life. I’m not exactly unhappy, but I’m not exactly happy either there is just this kind of constant gnawing sense of dissatisfaction with my life. There has to be more than just work, the occasional happy hour, the occasional volunteering and dealing with family drama that makes up the bulk of my life. For me it all begins and ends with God, so when I’m feeling spiritually weak I pray Paul’s power prayers in Ephesians over myself. eph. 1:17-19 and 3:14-21. I also just try to wake up each morning and choose to have love, joy and contentment in my life that day. But some days those things elude me and I just accept it until it passes, and it does.
kenn says:
Choice. That’s what it comes down to. We have to consciously make a choice to be happy or to be sad. To hear the melody in the midst of the noise.
kenn says:
excerpt from “Broken From the Start” by Switchfoot
tiffany says:
“To hear the melody in the midst of the noise”
I just wanted to say that since reading that, I have held those words in my heart and have used them several times to recenter myself when things get chaotic. thank you.