While Plowing
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In the past couple months, I have written several articles about songs by Willie Nelson that I enjoy. Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, On the Road Again,and Seven Spanish Angels spoke to where I am in life. This essay is based upon Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain. I want you to watch the video of this song and think about the meaning of his message. What is your spin on the video? Willie Nelson’s message haunts me. However, if you just listen to the song as you read the lyrics, it is merely a song about unrequited love. Well, at least in this life, he won’t walk hand in hand with his love again. At least at that level, it is one-dimensional in its message. He lost his love in this world, and he will go to his grave not being with her again. However, in the next life, they will walk hand in hand again. Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
However, I don’t get that message from the video. Willie Nelson’s character was in love with a beautiful blond-haired woman, which didn’t work out many years ago. Years later, what was he doing plowing the field of a fairly young brunette as an old man? That is haunting. While I love the song, the video causes me to think and reevaluate the meaning of the song. Now, to get all my cards out on the table, I have done the dance with death a couple of times, which radically changed my Weltanschauung on life from what it was before the dances. That is my first card. My next card is that in many emotional relationships, I have failed. Okay, all my relationships have failed. Some of the romantic moments that died or like Nelson said,
As I look back upon those relationships, some failed primarily due to the other person, some due to me, and most due to both of us. Willie Nelson is correct about dyin’ embers. So, what? What might have been isn’t going to be in this life at least. The question that begs an answer from me is how has this affected me? Well, I’m able to function. I’m happy. I’m driven. I’m returning to Burma in a month. Looking back, I am sure that what seemed a heartache doesn’t seem so heartbreaking to me now. I attempted and failed, but, in the long run, I am content that none of those relationships lasted. The Dalai Lama assured us with his truth, “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” I’ve been lucky. However, beyond that, what have I learned about relationships and life in general? Be honest. Don’t BS people. Don’t lie. And even worse, don’t act self-righteous about being honest while you lie. Additionally, at my age, I am free to be me. That means a great deal, but it is especially true as I near 75. When I watch the video, Willie Nelson and I are old. If you are not as old as Willie and me, you will be all too soon. 
Willie Nelson out plowing a field Go out and plow fields for others. Don’t expect anything. Give without getting. Help people without any reason other than they could benefit from the help. This applies to more than just relationships with the opposite sex. It applies to any relationship…with adults and with children. I feel very lucky to be me and where I am in life. I have failed many times in relationships and in life in general. However, I have attempted to be honest and fair. There are many people from Donald the Dumb down to the most common of people in this world who have a great deal or have a lot of stuff but in reality are poor as the proverbial church mice. I love teaching at the college level, and I enjoy teaching young children. I love to see my students get the information that I had attempted to present them. That process enriches me far beyond the stuff that the world deems important. This giving of time and talent applies to my Irish Setter, Ginger. Ginger wants to learn as we journey down the yellow brick road of life together. 
Visit the Best and Worst of Times page to read more about this topic.
Visit the Connecting the Dots page to read more about this topic.
Visit the Music I Love and Why page to read more about this topic.
Visit the My Hauntings page to read more about this topic.
Visit the Thus Spoke Ginger page to read more about this topic. 12/08/17 Follow @mountain_and_me |
