It should come as no surprise for most of you, upon reading this. Lavictoire has to be behind my taking up the keyboard once again. How could six years have gone by and not a peep. But, I wanted to let him know what I thought of his "more recent" (I know I'm months behind... I must have been busy) efforts and Messenger, somehow, did not feel like the proper medium to do so. Even though this is directed only at him, some people might also get a kick out of it. So there it is. My impression of xSunfallx's Go the Distance.
https://xsunfallx.bandcamp.com/album/growing-pains-go-the-distance
Sunfall - Go the Distance
I made a promise to myself to never let it slide
No matter what life throws my way
Pushing and pushing one day at a time
I'll roll up my sleeves and go against the tide
Focused and curious I keep an open heart and mind
This fire in my heart it's keeping me alive
I hold it like a torch to light my way
Live and learn from my mistakes
I've seen the light of day
I will go the distance for those who went astray
The footsteps laid before me have sent me the other way
I'd rather beat my own path
I'd rather beat my own path than follow the misled
Roaming along blindly living like they're dead
I'm a father, a husband, a brother and a son
A role model to my children I would never wrong
All the loved ones gone lost to addiction
My aim is true and strong I will always carry on
I hold it like a torch to light my way
Live and learn from past mistakes
I've got to seize the day
I'd rather beat my own path
" I made a promise to myself to never let it slide
No matter what life throws my way"
The personal choice. The reason why. I'm sure I could ask everyone claiming the Edge and there would never be an absolutely unanimous reason behind each decision. Something would probably show up in all the answers, a common ground shared by all, in broader terms, but I'd like to believe that there are personal motivations and nuances behind everyone's choice. DIFY (do it for yourself, if I have to spell it out). Reading Ross Haenfler might confirm. In other words, if you could sum it up on one page, how would one write an entire book about it? You might do it to change the world or influence others to make a positive change, and that's cool. Politicool, even. The world could use a lot of posithink, you see (here's your hint: U Seed). I must be jaded and just think time and trends are more likely to take their toll on the resolve, in the long run if you're not doing it for yourself at least a little.
Can't help but think of Gomorrah's Season Ends when I hear the words "promise to myself". A little tribute to the Canon. Worked for the Greeks. There are university courses on this. Makes me wonder what a hardcore or straightedge curriculum would look like...
"Pushing and pushing one day at a time"
Seriously, how do we get through those weeks?! It's not hard to imagine how people might be tempted to escape. But now I'm reminded of Lion of Judah. Pushinanapushinanapushin...
"I'll roll up my sleeves and go against the tide"
All the solicitation throughout the years. "Hey, you used to do it", "you changed, man", "just one sip would not affect you". Entirely missing the point every time, but it's not their fault. People are doing it for you, in case you would be interested. People made it seem like drinking and using was the norm. Thanks for pointing it out so eloquently, Ian. Or is this about pant sleeves? Of course, it's better to roll them up before going against the tides. You don't want to walk around in wet pants all day. Good piece of advice.
"Focused and curious I keep an open heart and mind"
Focus and curiosity, personally, have got to be my favorite rewards that I associate with sobriety. It's probably not entirely because of dropping the habits, there must be a pinch of predisposition, but it at least allowed enough room for the mind to exercise and retain. Took years before I started to notice, too. "Molded bearings, feeble stance, it's all in what you ball inside." I digress.
"This fire in my heart it's keeping me alive
I hold it like a torch to light my way
Live and learn from my mistakes
I've seen the light of day"
Aaaaaand, now... Allow me to ruin it, just a bit, and leave this here: "I hold it like a torch to light my winds". Heart and fart are only one syllable apart, after all. If I read too much into this, I'd say lighting farts is a way to laugh and release tension for some people. In this perspective, the activity allows one to reflect upon past mistakes, learn from them, laugh a little, live another day. So, it would make sense (scents?). Constructive autoderision. Is it properly ruined, yet? Polarizing paragraph. It's either a smile or a frown, on your face, at this point.
"I will go the distance for those who went astray
The footsteps laid before me have sent me the other way
I'd rather beat my own path
I'd rather beat my own path than follow the misled
Roaming along blindly living like they're dead"
Emphasis on the "I" to add a Cappo-esque touch. Empathy towards those who decided it wasn't for them. Disagreement? Disappointment? Life is too short. Go get what it is you want. Try not to hurt others, but try not to get hurt, too. With or without you. It's a Bono-fied choice.
"I'm a father, a husband, a brother and a son
A role model to my children I would never wrong
All the loved ones gone lost to addiction
My aim is true and strong I will always carry on
I hold it like a torch to light my way
Live and learn from past mistakes
I've got to seize the day"
Quite the fuel, if you ask me. Something I make myself believe I owe to friends and family. Because I know I would have a hard time accepting failing them or not be there when needed. Cannot settle for less than all. Loved ones gone... Disappointing, can you say you'd like to end up the same? "O Captain! My Captain!" Walt is resting in peace with Homer's mother. Talking about loved ones... I loved Robin Williams.
"I'd rather beat my own path"
Over My Dead Body, anyone?
Note to the author: I know I must've told you this, before, but keep doing what you're doing. It's a beautiful thing. I can say it again, and express once more how you cannot possibly have any idea of the extent. Of course I'm completely biased, but hearing and reading the words that came out of your brain is like getting news from you and because I'm miles away, I'll take every bit of news I can get. Many ideas this song evokes hit straight home. No wonder.
Cannot wait to hear what's next
for xSunfallx. And now that I have remembered my password...
