The Right Words

A few posts ago (The Dangerous of Being True To Yourself) I mentioned how many inspirational quotes there are out there and that words can only go so far.

I don't admit this often, but I was wrong.

Let me start of with this awesome quote from Mark Twain:

I think this really applies to "inspirational" crap as well.

It's not about the words- it's about finding the right words to inspire you.

See the difference? 

What gets me inspired and pumped up to write and just be plain awesome might not be what gets other people'e juices flowing. 

Here's what gives me strength:

"SOME NIGHTS"

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore...
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh

This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype - save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style

And that's alright; I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? mmm... mmm...

Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end
Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights, I always win, I always win...

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know... (come on)

So this is it? I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of God for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?

(Come on)

No. When I see stars, when I see, when I see stars, that's all they are
When I hear songs, they sound like this one, so come on
Oh, come on. Oh, come on, OH COME ON!

Well, that is it guys, that is all - five minutes in and I'm bored again
Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands
This one is not for the folks at home; Sorry to leave, mom, I had to go
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?

My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she call "love"
When I look into my nephew's eyes...
Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...
Some terrible lies...ahhh...

Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh

The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me
I called you up, but we'd both agree
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...

Or, you know, if you want to hear the song if you haven't already check out the video:

To me, this is a song about being an underdog. It's about doubt. It's about figuring out who you are and what it might cost you to be true to yourself. It's about weather or not it is worth doing what you do if you feel like no one understands. To me, it pretty much sums up my Dangers of Being True To Yourself post. 

When I need a kick in the pants or when I need to feel like "YES! I may be super nerdy! I may want something that isn't easy (a life where I can be a writer and just write) but NO! I will not give up!" I listen to this song.

Also, sometimes just one or two lines - like the hook or part of the chorus of a song - really empower me. So this one from Imagine Dragons' song "It's Time" is one I shout at the top of my lungs in my car when I need some reassurance. 

I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am!

Then - I also have this lovely picture hanging in my bathroom. Every morning when I brush my teeth I see it. Every night when I get ready for bed, I take it in.

It's "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

Some days that road is hard and bumpy. But I am better for it I think, "And that has made all the difference."

I'll wrap this up now - but I do want to share that I made an iMix on iTunes that I think you can search for and download. It's called "Music For Writers" but I really think it can be for anyone who might need a bit of inspiration. Just incase, here's the track list:

1. Die Vampire, Die - [title of show] 
2. Some Nights - fun.
3. Through Heavens Eyes - The Prince of Egypt soundtrack
4. Defying Gravity - I like the Glee version and the original so whatever floats your boat
5. Just Dance - Lady Gaga
6. I Want It All - Queen
7. Eye of the Tiger - Rocky Soundtrack
8. Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
9. It's Time - Imagine Dragons
10. Paperback Writer - The Beatles
11. Open Book - Cake

What songs empower you? What words? Share them here or just find them and hold on to them. The right words make all the difference.