11-17-18
“Life is a playground, but it takes a lot of work, so you better learn to love, or it will it tear you apart | ‘Cause in the end we are measured by the size of our heart, so we can’t do this alone…”
Compassion is one of those emotions that doesn’t always to seem to come with the auto-install software humans are programmed with. Some of us seem to have this skill innately in place, while others seem to be practically devoid of any semblance of it ever existing. It’s also one of those emotions, in my humble opinion, that can be completely learned. One of the most common places I’ve seen it enter into others’ lives, is from that one “good friend.”
Our parents, and our guardians do what they can to instill a strong moral barometer, something to help us navigate the quandaries we’ll face, but really, when we’re out in the world on our own, it’s those ‘friends’ we choose to have around us that help solidify those concepts.
When I was younger, I moved around… a lot. It was easy to make ‘friends,’ in fact it became second nature since I was doing it so often, having a “good friend,” wasn’t something I would come to experience until I was nearly two decades into my life.
To have people, people that are not related to you care for you, want to see you succeed, and want to take away whatever pain that may exist for you, this was such a foreign concept to me. Though foreign, it is one that I was always searching for. I saw it modelled in the books I read, and the stories I watched, but beyond that it was rooted in fiction. Not wanting to believe in a “fantasy” this made me a bit more skeptical to the entire process, however this did not shut me off from the concept in whole.
When I was fortunate to find my self in the presence of a truly “good friend,” I understood the significant difference in relationship. It was kind and kindred. As the years have gone by those “good friends” have become family, and it’s been our compassion which has bonded us together.
As I look back, I remember a few constants in my life. I was fortunate to have my family, and my teddy bear Jerry. As I got older I would come across stories I would write about me and Jerry. It would detail our adventures, and it would relay the morals in which Jerry tried to depart. I understand now that Jerry was listening to my parents more than I would, so he would often try to teach me the same things. Jerry was, and truthfully still is, one of my closest friends. Having him by my side ensured I was never alone, his constant compassion and care was a reflection of my own. I always appreciated that in Jerry, and so I suppose I appreciated that in myself as well.
Lyrics:
[Intro]
All I need is a good, good friend
All I need is a good, good friend[Verse 1]
Oh, this life is so strange, you need a sense of humor
The Maker is half caretaker and half joker
We are not broken ones
Just shattered pieces of the same bright sun
Trying to figure out which way to run
And we can’t do this alone[Chorus]
All I need is a good, good friend
To get me through this
All I need is a good, good friend
To help me out
When I’m burning down
When I’m all stressed out
When I’m underwhelmed[Bridge]
Life is a playground, but it takes a lot of work
So you better learn to love, or it will tear you apart
‘Cause in the end we are measured by the size of our heart
So we can’t do this alone
Some of us are laughing
And some of us are choking
Some of us can teach ’till every bone’s been broken
All the while The Maker just sits there joking
You never really were alone![Outro]
All I need is a good, good friend
All I need is a good, good friend
To get me through this
All I need is a good, good friend
To help me out
When I’m burning down
When I’m all stressed out
Thank you for being around