The Human Condition - stories behind one songwriter’s songs

The Human Condition - Adventures of Tom and Old Dick The Horse

It's almost Father's Day and this one is inspired by and dedicated to my Dad, Tom the Adventurer. Happy Father's Day! ................................................................................... Adventures of Tom and Old Dick The Horse Riding Old Dick through the woods Bareback like the old folks did Looking back on fonder days Simpler times, or so they say Memories made, remembering when We made dreams with childhood friends Those days are gone, but not forgotten Still stars above to make our wishes on Done his work, the age for play Happy to carry a young boy away Into the playground of countryside Carefree summers are made to ride! Memories made, remembering when We made dreams with childhood friends Those days are gone, but not forgotten Still stars above to make our wishes on Open meadow, winter’s snow Didn’t matter where, we’d go Wind through his mane, bareback skin Time moved slowly way back then With a whinny and a stomp, We went trotting through the swamp Even water up to his belly didn’t stop that Old Dick! Memories made, remembering when We made dreams with childhood friends Those days are gone, but not forgotten Still stars above to make our wishes on

The Human Condition - Crippling Fear of Failure

Take a deep breath...hold it... and exhale.  Feel any better? We all carry worries around with us every single day of our human lives.  The word ANXIETY is one that I'm guessing everyone has heard of or experienced or related to.  We should all feel a healthy level of anxiety so that we can deal with stressful situations and to some level its actually a good thing - but unfortunately, in some people, anxiety is creating havoc in their body, and keeping them from living their life to its full potential.  Today's podcast relates my song, Crippling Fear of Failure, to those feelings of anxiety and we touch on some of the differences between a normal healthy type and the type that becomes a disorder of thoughts and function.  .................................................................................... Crippling Fear of Failure You’re raised to do the best you can Always looking for that gold star But some things are just so hard to do The extra mile seems so far Its that crippling fear of failure, don’t let it bring you down Make more room inside your head for the blessings that you’ve found Success around the corner, it’s easy to achieve Belief will fill up your head and failure will have to leave Talent oozes when you’re home And friends all think you’re proud But then one day you’re invited out To speak before a faceless crowd Its that crippling fear of failure, don’t let it bring you down Make more room inside your head for the blessings that you’ve found Success around the corner, it’s easy to achieve Belief will fill up your head and failure will have to leave Deep breath in – deep breath out Trying to build up your courage They say you’ll be fine, they have no doubt So why are you so worried?

The Human Condition - Atlas Shrugs

Imagine the Titan God, Atlas, condemned by Zeus to carry the weight of Earth on his shoulders (I know he was actually condemned to carry the heavens - but I'm not the first to just go with it...so bear with the mistake) - and now imagine that giant shrugging his shoulders - and now imagine what that movement must do to Earth!  A natural disaster or... a pandemic maybe? This is a 'Quarantine Song'.  You might imagine, and probably have heard a bunch of songs written in the last year or so relating to how it feels to be alone, and the desire to just get back to normal!  This is another one of those :) ................................................................................ Atlas Shrugs The sun’s still shining, the seasons still change The green of the world comes alive from the grey The flowers are blooming, the blossoms still grow Yet the world is different, changing its ways. I’m alone with my thoughts; I’m alone in this house Distance and space between me and my Dear I’m carrying on, but nothing feels normal The world feels different without him being near The window is open, and the breeze blows right through Carrying my love from here to you My kisses are waiting with the hope of your hug Holding my breath in case Atlas shrugs The future’s unsteady, the future’s unknown Sharing my thoughts with the weight of the world My guitar, medication; my voice, a vaccine Against nothing but the worry my mind’s unfurled

The Human Condition - Addictions

Do you know someone who drinks a little too much, a little too often?  Do you know someone who smokes pot for anxiety, but they didn't have anxiety before the started smoking pot?  Do you know someone that was prescribed medication for pain or to help them sleep, but they slowly needed more than their doctor was willing to give?  There are amazing people out there that for one reason or another, try to escape their emotions by using drugs or alcohol.  So, ya, maybe you find someone great and want to think about a future with them.  But then learn that they have kept something from you.  So now you learn they have been lying AND they have a substance use disorder.   That was me.  I will always want the best for someone, but I had to learn the hard way that sometimes you have to walk away.  I know I can't be everything to someone, but I can try.  And I need someone to love themselves enough to try to get help.  Sometimes you just want to be like a lighthouse in the storm, guiding them home, but sometimes, they are just fading further and further away from you off shore. ........................................................................... ADDICTIONS I can’t make you high You'll always want more I tried my best to be enough for you But you’re fading to a distant shore I don’t want to compete Don’t you like how you feel? Are you driven by the crashing waves, When I crave an even keel? One day we’ll be enough for someone We’ll have no fears to quell No need to hide your addictions Just leave the bottle and drink from my well Who are you? Who do you want to be? Do you want to be the Captain, all alone out at sea? I’m not looking to fix you I don’t want to tell you what to do I can be the light that guides you home I’m not sure what else I can give to you I can’t make you high You’ll always need more I tried my best to be enough for you But you’re fading to a distant shore…

The Human Condition - Poison Rose

Trigger Warning: This podcast deals with ideas of sex trafficking and the traumas associated It's a horrendous and heinous crime that we have been hearing about way too often - and it happens around the world and maybe even in your own 'backyard'.  This week's song, Poison Rose, tells the tale of a young woman seeking love and attention but finds herself caught in a world beyond her understanding.  She finds attention, but not a healthy kind, and she certainly does not find love - instead, she finds a world where she falsely loves someone who will never love her in return - she finds someone who only seems to understand abuse - abuse of power over knowing that victims, like her, need something - attention, money, even something as basic as needing a roof over their head.  She is lured by luxury, of 'the good life'  - unknowing that once used she might just be cast aside for another... ................................................................................. POISON ROSE My obsession started at a tender age, Lustful thoughts as my hormones raged My head was turned, but you turned the page I’m a pretty bird in your pretty cage I followed you around, I was lost in a dream Thinking you’re my King and I, your Queen All along I thought your thoughts were clean But your laughter covered a world obscene Then one day, the world reversed My best day, became my worst Poison rose, your gift rehearsed That moment on, my life was cursed Darkness entered through your lips A poison rose for your next young Miss Another innocent, turned by your kiss One day, taken, the next, dismissed