One of my favorite songwriters is probably someone that 99% of you have never heard. His name is Bill Mallonee. He is a dedicated man who has played over 180 shows a year for over a decade and toured with REM for the majority of the 90’s with his Rock ‘n Roll band called the Vigilantes of Love.  He has a musical pedigree that is a mile long with over 38 records to date.  He is one that will capture your heart if you see him perform live.

I believe that the one thing that keeps me coming back to his music is the journey.  He is not concerned with the future, the past, or even where he is at the present moment, but he can tell a great story about the journey.  In fact, Rolling Stone had this to say: “Bill Mallonee… [has] remained fascinated with the shadowy emotional toils and struggles inherent in the American experience, compelling, insightful, [he] continues to probe through Americana rock and roll proving that sometimes the only story worth telling is that of the journey.”

There is something that we can pause and think about for a minute. A lot of times people are so focused on what is “next” or the “goal”; however, the journey is that part that we are living in today. We can look back and gain from our previous experiences and help let this lead us to our future. Much like a child who is learning to walk will fall when he realizes that mom is not holding his hand anymore, we need to stop and look to our left and our right and enjoy and learn from what is around us.

This blog is written to encourage the reader to pause and think about their life story and to take a second and look around you, you might enjoy what you see. So, if you want to hear some music that will help you along the way and might even teach you how to enjoy how to appreciate the steps you are taking, start with Bill’s record “Audible Sigh”.

Bank

it’s been known
for a train to jump its track
it’s ok so you’ll know
most the time they come back
and it’s ok to lose your life
when you finally see your birth
it’s ok to say i love you
figure sometimes it’s gonna hurt

don’t forget to bring kindness
don’t forget to say thanks
don’t forget to spend your love
no it will not break the bank
don’t forget to bring some empathy
for the saints and the sinners
don’t forget to bring encouragement
yeah we’re all just beginners

By Adam Glendye MAMFT
aglendye@ GROWcounseling.com