I believe in second chances, even third and fourth
However many it may take to reach what’s worth reaching for
I believe in happy endings, happy middles too
And if you aren’t quite happy yet say “plot-twist” and push through
Push through, it’s what we’re meant to do
Keep going, Keep trying, Keep Swimming, Keep Flying
Yes, keep, keep, keep spreading those wings, wings wings
Keep laughing, keep hoping, keep dancing, keep rowing
Yes, keep, keep, keep all of your dreams, dreams, dreams afloat
And you’ll find that wherever you go
You’re on your own Yellow Brick Road
I wrote these lyrics in the summer of 2014. They came to me as I played with my youngest son in our sweltering, but still magical backyard. Sprinklers spun and the grass was thick and green under our bare feet. I had no idea how much I would need to hold on to these words in the coming years.
Seasons change, and while there is beauty in each one there are challenges in them too.
I wrote this song for my kids. But really, it’s me who needs it right now. Kids are resilient. They are quick to keep going and keep trying. They may cry and throw a small tantrum (or sometimes a BIG one!) but they never think “That’s it! I’m done with that dream!” They are made up of dreams. They speak dreams. And they believe in them.
Last night we watched The Never Ending Story with the kids as we tried to stay up till midnight. When The Nothing was described in the story it hit me hard. In case you’ve forgotten, The Nothing is a spreading storm of destruction that grows when people have stopped dreaming, believing and hoping. Little by little it is destroying the land of Fantasia, simply because people are not living with imagination. Depression, the lack of drive I’ve let into my life from time to time, is The Nothing. And maybe it’s because it’s the holidays and I’m especially tired, but lately The Nothing seems to be encroaching much closer than I would like it.
We have different reasons for giving up on dreams. I’ve put mine on the shelf, thinking that focusing on my kids entirely would make me a less-stressed, happier Mother. But the opposite happened. I lost my fire. I lost my drive and delight. Essentially, by “sacrificing myself” I stopped being the kind of dreamy-eyed, whimsical woman I want raising my kids.
So believe. Believe that YOUR Yellow Brick Road, no matter how much it twists and turns and takes you directions you didn’t expect, is still a path toward your greatest dream. And every day is one step closer.
Here are the rest of that song’s lyrics. Best wishes on your journeys through 2016!
(Verse 2)
Sometimes life gets muddy, the road’s not even paved
You feel like you’re going uphill in the snow both ways
That’s why God made snow shoes and the sunshine too
So even when it’s cloudy that bright sunshine still shine’s through
So shine too, It’s what we’re made to do
(Chorus)
Keep going, Keep trying, Keep swimming, Keep flying
Yes, keep, keep, keep spreading those wings, wings wings
Keep laughing, keep hoping, keep dancing, keep rowing
Yes, keep, keep, keep all of your dreams, dreams, dreams afloat
And you’ll find that wherever you go
You’re on your own Yellow Brick Road
(Bridge)
Some people say all good things must end
But I simply smile and whisper to them
When a door closes a window opens
It sounds cliche, I know
But it’s still true so
Keep going, Keep trying, Keep swimming, Keep flying
Yes, keep, keep, keep spreading those wings, wings wings
Keep laughing, keep hoping, keep dancing, keep rowing
Yes, keep, keep, keep all of your dreams, dreams, dreams
Keep searching, Keep reaching, Keep praying, Believing
Keep, keep, keep your faith through all things, things, things
Keep singing, keep smiling, keep trusting His timing
Yes, keep, keep keep knowing you’re never walking alone
He’s been there ’cause he made each road
So remember wherever you go
You’re on your own Yellow Brick Road