Ah yes, the distraction that is the three-day weekend. Hence, it is Tuesday and my blog comes out. But, honestly, doesn’t it feel like a Monday???
This time of year invariably sets people reflecting on their goals and aspirations, as well as their past triumphs and failures. We make our resolutions- some predictable, some more obscure- for the year to come. Many will fail and a few will reach their goals. This seems true of all dreams. How bad do you want it?
People have been making New Year’s resolutions since the ancient Babylonians. (One wonders what they resolved to do? Given the times, perhaps gain weight?) In Rome the New Year was a time for public officials to rededicate themselves to service to the state through ceremonies to the god Janus. Refreshing. The month January was even named for Janus, the god of two faces who looked both forward and backward. He was the god of beginnings and transitions. As his sphere of influence included gateways, Janus was also god of the threshold and correspondingly, the home. During times of Roman peace the doors to his temples stood open, when at war, they were closed.
In a way, as we make our resolutions, we are all Janus, seeing the past and the future. Hoping for better, learning from what came before, each of us at another crossroads.
Which brings us to this week’s song, Someone Else? by Queensryche. A lush tune penned by main songwriter, Chris DeGarmo and the Ryche’s classically trained lead singer, Geoff Tate. The band was never quite the same (or as good, in my opinion) after DeGarmo left to work on his marriage and become a pilot. Incidentally, he was the only member of the group whose marriage survived their success, so I guess he knew what he was doing.
At this crossroads- what have you resolved to accomplish? What do you see when you look behind?
Queensryche video “Someone Else”
I never realized
how deep the flood was around me.
A man whose life was toil was like a kettle left to boil,
and the water left scars on me.
I know now who I am.
If only for a while,
I recognize the changes.
I feel like I did before the
magic wore thin and the baptism
of stains began
They used to say I was
nowhere, man,
heading down
was my destiny.
But yesterday, I swear,
that was someone else not me.
Here I stand at the crossroads’ edge,
afraid to reach out for eternity.
One step, when I look down,
I see someone else not me.
Looking back and I see
someone else.
All my life they said I
was going down,
but I’m still standing,
strong and proud.
And today I know there is
so much more I can be.
From where I stand at the crossroads edge
there’s a path leading out to sea.
And from somewhere
deep in my mind,
sirens sing out loud
songs of doubt
as only they know how.
But one glance back reminds, and I see,
someone else not me.
I keep looking back
at someone else … me ?
Songwriters
Chris DeGarmo, Geoff Tate
This post was written by Erika Gardner. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on this blog. Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner or “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller. Check out her contributions to the BBB Blog.