Quote - Robert Browning

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s heaven for?
- Robert Browning

Quote - George Bernard Shaw

“Some men see things as they are and say, why; I dream things that never were, and say, why not”.
-George Bernard Shaw

I am the first of me - Hoobastank

I must make a choice
A tough decision
Listen to my voice
Should I give in
To temptation, admiration
One leads to myself
The other someone else
Just an empty shell
Just an empty shell

It's harder than it seems
When you're told that
All your hopes and dreams
Are yours to hold if
You just give them
What's expected
Something they can sell
Put upon a shelf
But I am not for sale
I am not for sale

I hear a voice inside
It's grown into a scream
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me
'Cause I can't live the lie
I am just what you see
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me

If I can't refuse
The price they offer
I am sure to lose
And I will suffer
Sell my soul to make a profit
All I have to do
Is make believe it's true
That's something I can't do
That's something I can't do

I hear a voice inside
It's grown into a scream
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me
'Cause I can't live the lie
I am just what you see
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me
Ah oooo
I am the first of me
Ah oooo
I am the first of me

So when the waiting's done
And it's time to face the truth
You know your good enough
Deep down inside of you
You've finally woken up
If only just to prove
You were born to lead the way
And be the first of you

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Our so called 'sense of reality' or knowledge or wisdom is a meld of all past experiences that form a mirror. Our perceptions of ourselves and others (objects both animate and not), which form the basis of our relationship with the external world, are but reflections of truth from this mirror. If the mirror is spotless then one can see the truth, clearly. If it is not, then the image is tainted by the imperfections in the mirror. But there is hope; these imperfections can be corrected and one can experience truth. This in my current understanding is what enlightened beings have achieved after a long period of persistent practice/penance/what-have-you. Assuming that we are all in search of this 'enlightenment' are we but slaves to the tainted reflections during this arduous journey? and the stains they project both on the viewer and those viewed? and the consequent pain that lingers on?

How do we start to clean this mirror? Firstly do we know for sure that the image that we see is distorted because of the imperfections in the mirror and not inherent in the object that is reflected? In which case it is not the mirror that needs cleaning but rather the object. I guess it will never be known for sure. But one thing is clear, once this thought process starts in one's mind then confusion is a constant companion. Yet, there is hope. Is that not the only virtue that takes us through life in the face of the fact is death is a certainty?

Questions like these and a million more pouring down on the mind like hailstones on a tin roof. Each stone creates a sound that resonates for hours in the boombox of an empty mind, numbing the senses, repressing expression and halting life in total. In this cacophony there are some sounds that sound familiar, some pleasant and some not as much. And in stringing up these individual notes, once in a while a tune emerges. One can then write a song to match the tune. My tune is almost composed but words seem to want to play hide and seek these days. I'll sing them loud when I've found them.