Music Monday: Things Worth Fighting For

A recent Facebook post really resonated with me. It said:

I once asked a very successful woman to share her secret with me. She smiled and said:
“I started succeeding when I started leaving small fights for small fighters.
I stopped fighting those who gossiped about me.
I stopped fighting with my in-laws.
I stopped fighting for attention.
I stopped fighting to meet people’s expectation of me.
I stopped fighting for my rights with inconsiderate people.
I stopped fighting to please everyone.
I stopped fighting to prove they were wrong about me.
I left such fights for those who have nothing else to fight.
And I started fighting for my vision, my dreams, my ideas and my destiny.
The day I gave up on small fights is the day I started becoming successful & so much more content.”

Here’s what I know for sure: What we focus on, grows. What we give our attention to, expands. What we think about, we create. Our brightest visions, biggest dreams, best ideas, and powerful destiny requires all the energy and attention we can muster. When we spend any time and energy on what other’s think or say about us, especially in a negative way, we are squandering our precious resources and beckoning into our experience the very things we don’t want … all while delaying the things we do.

I’m not talking about being secretly angry or passive aggressive about these things. I’m suggesting that we try to truly let go of heavy, negative energy and redirect it toward your strengths, gifts, blessings, and future possibilities.

This week leave the small fights for the small fighters. Redirect your attention toward fighting hard for your own dreams, ideas, and goals. That is when you will become successful and be so much more content.

And for our Music Monday selection (always the first Monday of every month), I’ve selected the classic three-song medley from Barbra Streisand’s return concert in 1994, I’m Still Here / Everybody Says Don’t / Don’t Rain on my Parade which feels like the perfect fit.

As long as you’re still here, even if everybody says, “Don’t”… never allow them to bring around the clouds or rain on your parade!

Barbra Streisand – Medley
I’m Still Here/Everybody Says Don’t/Don’t Rain On My Parade

Good times and bum times, I’ve seen them all and, my dear
I’m still here
Gold statue sometimes
Sometimes a kick-in-the-rear, but I’m here
Now one day you’re hailed for blazing trails
Next you’re nailed for fingernails
Either they cheer or they jeer, but I’m here

I’ve heard them say song writing, acting, producing
What makes her think that she can? Or better yet song writing, acting, producing
What does she think, she’s a man?
One day a Tony, Tuesday you’re top of the Bill
So I’m here
Wednesday you’re phony, Thursday you’re over the hill
But I’m here

Now I’ve kept my clothes and kept me space
I’ve kept my nose to spite my face
Still once you say you won’t
Keep your place loud and clear
Once you announce you’re directing all you hear is

Everybody says don’t, everybody says don’t
Everybody says don’t, it isn’t right
Don’t, it isn’t nice
Everybody says don’t, everybody says

Don’t tell me not to live, just sit and putter
Life’s candy and the sun’s a ball of butter
Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
Don’t tell me not to fly, I’ve simply got to, If someone takes a spill
It’s me and not you
Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my parade

I’ll march my band out, I’ll beat my drum
And if I’m fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn’t fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn’t make it
Get ready for me love, ’cause I’m a-comin’
I simply gotta march, my heart’s a-drummin’
Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade

I’m gonna live and live now
Get what I want, I know how
One roll for the whole shebang
One throw that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham
One shot, one gun shot and bam
Hey, look at me world, here I am

I’ll march my band out, I’ll beat my drum
And if I’m fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn’t fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn’t make it
Get ready for me life, ’cause I’m a-comin’
I simply gotta march, my heart’s a-drummin’
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade

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