Folk music speaks to me in a language that is universal and it encourages me to walk my talk. One of my favorite songs was penned by Phil Ochs, called When I’m Gone.  The voice of a generation, his music was the soundscape for a culture that was pro-peace. From what I know of Phil, he led a rather tumultuous life, fraught with the wild ride of Bi-Polar Disorder that eventually lured to him  into taking his own life. The year before I graduated high school, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy of kyrics that encouraged people to speak up, stand up and make a difference. Hearing the song today got me to thinking that none of us knows how much time we’ll be given to dance on this earthly plane, so it behooves us to take a look at the ways in which we can reach out beyond our own immediate concerns to (as Gandhi was quoted as saying)  “Be the change”, you wish to see.  I learned that I need not wait for someone else to take the first step, although I have been  beckoned by leaders to join them on their inspired path. And then there are times when I carry the baton on to the next person in line who will bear it for awhile.  Each day I look for ways to make a difference, even if it is simply smiling at someone who, in turn pays it forward. I recently saw a woman with the word ‘beautiful’ tattooed on her forearm. I felt myself channeling my parents, who likely would have said the same thing I did…”Yes, you are.” and then she smiled shyly at me. I  consciously choose mindfulness and a growing awareness of how I operate in the world, when once upon a time, I did a great sleepwalking act. I would drift through each day, sometimes dreading them, immersed in fear thoughts. Rarely does that happen now, as I KNOW that all works for the Highest Good, despite appearances at times.

It isn’t about being remembered once I ‘leave the building’, but the example that I set while I still inhabit it. I like the idea of ‘leaving the campground better than  I found it.”, which means to me to move forward with the intention of cleaning up any messes I may have inadvertantly made. It means shifting relationships with a sense of solid communication and with an  open heart.  It invites me to love fully and with abandon. Love is never wasted, I have found.

When I’m Gone by Phil Ochs

There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone

And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone

And you won’t find me singin’ on this song when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t feel the flowing of the time when I’m gone

All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I’m gone

My pen won’t pour a lyric line when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t breathe the bracing air when I’m gone

And I can’t even worry ’bout my cares when I’m gone

Won’t be asked to do my share when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t be running from the rain when I’m gone

And I can’t even suffer from the pain when I’m gone

Can’t say who’s to praise and who’s to blame when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

Won’t see the golden of the sun when I’m gone

And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I’m gone

Can’t be singing louder than the guns when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

All my days won’t be dances of delight when I’m gone

And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I’m gone

Can’t add my name into the fight while I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t be laughing at the lies when I’m gone

And I can’t question how or when or why when I’m gone

Can’t live proud enough to die when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone

And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone

And you won’t find me singin’ on this song when I’m gone

So I guess I’ll have to do it I guess I’ll have to do it

Guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

 

http://youtu.be/IYGriOgOjnA When I’m Gone covered by Kim and Reggie Harris and Magpie