“Daddy… Are you crying?“
You’d be surprised at how often I hear that question.
And you’d be similarly surprised at how often I am forced to squeak out a dishonest “no” from my phelgm-filled throat, whilst hastily wiping away any evidence to the contrary from my moistened eyes.
Today, Jen’s Tuesdayer Army celebrates “Beautiful” on Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday, and for this prompt I could literally litter you with song samplings to last well over the next several months.
But I won’t.
I haven’t enough tears.
My song bucket this week is filled with choices that to me, express my belief that beauty lies in hope. But it also lies in sorrow. It lies in the sun, and it lies in the thunder storm. It lies in victory, and it lies in defeat. In short, beauty lies at either end of life’s spectrum, versus the muddy monontonous middle – the very area where most of us feel “safe” enough to normally reside. Following is a mere sampling of what I see Beauty as being.
First, we have hope…
Followed by sorrow…
Then we have sun…
Followed by thunder…
Victory…
Then defeat…
And then, if you are among the very bravest of the brave, and the wisest of the wise, you recognize the aforementioned belief that the middle is the very last place to be, as it’s both ends of the spectrum that bring beauty to life. For it is only through the constant interplay between this absolute darkness and the purest light – the sun and the rain – that the brilliant rainbow that Life truly is, can come bursting through…
•••
And to the eye of this one beholder at least; that, my friends, is what Beauty truly is.
∞
as long as i'm singing 
Ah, that was the most BEAUTIFUL collection of songs. (The boys have recently found THE RAINBOW CONNECTION and I cry every single time they put that song on and their little voices warble toward the chorus. )
I think we all need a Rainbow Connection lately, don’t you?
Lately and every day dear. Hope you can make yours today =)
I cried, I nodded, and I felt hope. True Beauty gives Hope, and it is only in Him. Thank you for a re-boot message on a hot Tuesday morn.
=) I don’t know if you noticed or not, but while I was originally going to throw in “Mr. Blue Sky” by ELO at the tail end, I decided instead to keep the song count to (7), as it’s the # of God, and heck n’ doodle, there ain’t a chance in all the world of seeing beauty without Him (Her/It/Whatever), right?
sigh
(i had to stop watching in the middle of sorrow–z had a live lesson and i was making the internet too slow for him)
Well, make sure you pick it back up when you can dear! There’s some good stuff here, I promise =)
I suppose my response will be different than expected…I wasn’t able to get to where I thought that I should get to go this morning. I tricked myself into being less displeased by grabbing scissors and thinking to go to my garden to trim lavender and basil instead–and to grab a few sprigs and spears to bring home. I thought what a WONDERFUL–I really wasn’t that enthusiastic, but was working on it, IDEA. The light seemed right and I enjoyed taking a PILE of images, imagine a pile on the inside of the teeny tiny-card-thingie in the camera. Two of them I named for you. One I posted today and one I will post tomorrow.
I am beyond touched that you would do that for me. Again, thank you so much!
OK, so I’m creative today. You are welcome. I got another one titled Hope as Faith. The last one will post there in the morning.
Last one….Evening Beauty
Damn. You are GOOD!
“Today.” “Today,” she says! Dear, these are beautiful, and I’m danged sure that your “creative” (and talent) happen every day!
The Call is beautiful – I’ve heard it before but not known who it was by. Thanks for that.
The rainbow connection, muppets style was awesome. And if you’d thrown in Mr Blue Sky, I wouldn’t have minded one jot – also a fantastic song.
Also, now I’ve been back to mine and seen your comment there, PLEASE find some way to share how it goes when you meet your Unmet Best Friend, and SEE RAVEN!
You’re more than welcome (when first I heard it at the end of whichever Narnia flick it was featured in, I sat in the theatre – even though the kids tried to drag me out – until I could see who the performer was, my eyes blurry at the time of course!)
Great message and songs……it really is what we make of it, isn’t it?
Thanks Michelle, and It really is!
excellent list. Regina, Suzanne, Bob and I’m warming to Mackelmore because of Same Love.
good stuff
Thanks Lance – I’m thinking he’s going to become a force to be reckoned with. Hey, don’t forget to bug your loved ones for the newest Clash box set, out today, b-day boy!
I KNOW! I’ve placed my order
This is a fantastic list. Love that you have Bob Marley and the Muppets!!
Two of my favorites, whenever I’m feeling down and/or hateful towards m’self – haven’t had much call for either recently, so it was good to hear them again today, dear =)
Brilliant. Really, The Rainbow Connection couldn’t be more perfect for this list! And Redemption Song? Thanks for putting up with my lame list this week. I didn’t have it in me for some reason, and the host has to play, right?
You know I love Macklemore, really… such amazing story-telling. Such a true story too. I can’t say more than that. Because you could have made that list with only that one song.
I’m glad you feel that way, because right now my “slow jams” post has only (2) songs earmarked…
And your post was so NOT lame, Jen! Just make sure that Rupert (and his mullet) show up next time =)
as eclectic as ever. Mr. Marley rules of course, but Suzanne ain’t a bad second. Thank you for Wings, very powerful.
Thanks so much Kath – I always love getting a glowing report from you =)
Troy- you’re totally winning right now if this is a Melissa’s favorite list competition…which it always is.
1. Matisyahu- wow. I get to see him again this Saturday. He’s always an awesome experience live. So much positivity!
2. Marley-obviously
3. Rainbow Connection- I just listed this on a Five for Friday post. One of the favorite songs of my youth! http://melstepp01.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/five-for-friday-five-favorite-albums-pre-k-elementary-school-edition/
Awesome list!
Well then, I guess we’re just gonna have to call it “Melissa’s Favorite List Competition Day” today!
And can I tell you how jealous I am about your multiple sightings of Matisyahu? Like so much so, that I may just need to don a wig and a “I’m Melissa” t-shirt, just prior to stealing your ticket and going in your stead…!
Jump at the chance to see him if you ever get to. He’s here with Rebelution (who I also love) this time. I’ll be on the look out for a ticket snatcher!
Your list is wonderful! I agree with so much of what you said, too. Thanks for linking up, just subscribed to your blog.
Thank you so much Jenna! I’m always glad to hear when someone agrees with my “ramblings,” (especially a fellow Princess Bride fan!) and I hope my future posts keep you equally as entertained =)
Oh. My. God. You win TMTT this week, friend. This entire post gave me chills. I love the introduction. I love the music. I love that the Ft. Meyer song had the intro and closing with the families who have loved ones away…I met my husband after he was already done with the Army but I can’t imagine had it been during…
I love the ending and that you chose The Rainbow Connection for the middle place to swing back to. Huge. Like I said. You totally win this week.
=) Thank you dear. Thank you. (=
hey, nice work with the ‘theme’, dude!
yeah, I know this is about mix tapes and such, but the fun (for me) is to take the original idea and turn it into a ‘new thing’ (duct tape and hammer and nails all permitted)*. This ‘beautiful’ was way tough… I mean we’re dealing with music… hell I remember one radio station that used to have their promo as simply… ‘for beautiful music, tune to…’.
*after all, we’re frickin blog writers, who isn’t trying their best to tell a story here?
Beauty WAS way tough – hence the title, Clark. I wasn’t sure who would like what I saw as beautiful, and even less certain that they’d dig the “story” that wove through it, ya know? Fortunately, I think we were both much more successful in the end then we thought we might be, you and me.
Oh, I love that Regina Spektor song! This is such a wonderful compilation. Love it all.
Thank you so much Natalie! And it is a powerful track, isn’t it?
Nice mix, especially Marley and Vega.
Much thanks Tess! Of these two artists especially, the tracks chosen are some of my favorites to boot.
Yo TP… I simply love this List!!! ‘Wings’ was special. Really enjoyed that.
Your very last sentence: What it’s all about!!! Nice, Slu
sorry it took so long to come visit… my schedule is just whack right now.
It’s balls-to-the-walls good, isn’t it?
And thanks for digging my post as well, Slu, no apologies required for your perceived tardiness, my friend – I don’t care when you read, as long as you do!
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