Storytelling

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, songwriting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Songs I Wrote in 2023: “I Feel Like I Used to Be a Good Person” – 7th of 13

As 2023 progressed, the process of writing my Enneagram book continued to help me reveal more about my perception of life. Like with the previous song, “St. Doubting Thomas”, I was in the deconstruction stage of ego death.

Perhaps that is what prompted me to mention the final stages of grief, at the end of the song:

I feel like I used to be a good person – Twenty years ago, I saw the world as beautiful – I felt so alive – That was me there at the dress rehearsal – I was the golden child – Life was wonderful – The future was so bright – I never died as a hero – I lived long enough to get old – I see myself now as a villain – Will this story have a happy ending? What does that even mean to me anymore? Looking back to when I was a good person – That was before I had a chance to crash and burn and was forced to learn – I feel like I used to be a good person – But what the world needs now is the current version – The one who can get the job done – I’m here to audition for the part of the tortured artist – What’s the best we can hope for in this life if we’re being honest? We find ways to cope – It gives us hope or at least distracts us – This is my denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: So… Maybe Take a Break from Losing So Many Teeth?

13 years old.

Dear Jack,

Exactly three weeks ago on your 13th birthday, you randomly announced as it was nearly time to walk out the door to go to school:

“I think I can pull this tooth.”

Within a couple of minutes, it was out.

For each week that has followed since, the same thing happened; as if it were a scheduled weekly occurrence.

For the record, you have now lost three teeth in a span of two weeks.

A few nights ago at dinner, you mentioned how it is now a bit difficult to eat, due to your lack of teeth these days.

So yeah, maybe take a break from losing any more teeth for now?

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Rockin’ Around Our New White Christmas Tree

7 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

My entire life, I had always wanted a white Christmas tree. It seemed that it would simply add to the Christmas magic.

I had totally forgotten, but last year after Christmas, Mommy ordered a new Christmas tree for our home- and the decision in our family was unanimous in choosing a white tree! So this past weekend, we set up the new white Christmas tree as a family, for the first time.

I insisted we take a family photo in front of it before we left to go to church on Sunday morning. Fortunately, Mommy shouted out, “Now let’s do a silly one!”

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, People, songwriter, songwriting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Songs I Wrote in 2023: “Apology Tour” – 3rd of 13

I spent most of 2023 writing a book about Enneagram, which I plan to have published in early 2024. During the process, I ended up unpacking a lot of personal issues I have been carrying with me. Specifically, one of the things I learned is that I have a lifelong habit of being very critical of myself, while assuming that everyone else is just as critical of me… which is not actually the case.

In the opening chapter of my upcoming Enneagram book, I began my paraphrasing the lyrics of this song:

I keep beating myself up over all the stupid stuff I did and said – You probably don’t remember it but I’ve carried this with me – I didn’t forget, even if you did – I keep beating myself up – Too much is never enough – I’ve still got one foot in the doorway – You may have moved on but I guess I stayed – I didn’t forget, even if you did – I’m going on an apology tour – Gonna make things right from my former life – Going on an apology tour – Gonna tell you I’m sorry – Better late than never – I’ll be coming to your town – Gonna turn this thing around – I’ll be knocking at your door – Gonna settle this thing for sure – On my upcoming apology tour – What if the only evidence of my crime is locked away in my mind? Perhaps a tree has fallen in the forest and I’m the only one who heard it – I didn’t forget, even if you did – Would it make me a better person if I convinced you I learned my lesson? Would you be able to see I’m a different me than the one who lived in less humility? I didn’t forget, even if you did

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, songwriter, songwriting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Songs I Wrote in 2023: “What’s Mine is Yours and Always Was” – 2nd of 13

In my 2nd song I wrote this year, I thought deeply about how children never have the opportunity to accept an invitation into this world, yet we as parents bring them here, for better and for worse.

This mirrors how God as our Creator does not ask us if we wanted to exist either, yet we are brought into a world where we become responsible and accountable for our decisions and actions.

Specifically, I wrote this song for my son. I reference how I have followed him around with a camera his whole life, as I have documented the story of his life on my website; ever since my wife and I found out she was pregnant with him.

I reference the Bible, in comparing my vision for him in the way God describes his relationship with us.

In these lyrics, I also point out how my own perception of time is undeniably based on my observation of him growing up.

Here are the lyrics to “What’s Mine is Yours and Always Was”:

I’m sorry, I never thought to ask – Did you want to be born into this world where nothing is ever promised how long it will last? Was I lonely? Was it selfish of me to give you life when I’m confused by mine? This place is not exactly what I’d call paradise – One day is thousand years – A lifetime of souvenirs – Good memories to overcome our shame and fears – The days are long and the years are short – I’ve seen it all but there still is more – Getting close to point where you can take it from here – I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper – Not to harm you, no – Plans to give you hope – I know the plans I have for you, plans for a future – No matter what you do, I’m still gonna love you – What’s mine is yours and always was – What’s mine is yours – It always was – With my camera, I followed you your entire life – I hope you didn’t mind – I may not be inside the shot, but I was always there – When you’re older, I hope you look back and see the ways I gave you all I had – I was always far from perfect but I was always there