Emotion vs feeling things deeply

I got so caught up in finding the perfect version of the song for yesterday’s blog that I didn’t complete my thought about feeling unexpectedly emotional throughout the day.

But as I think back on it, I find myself pondering the distinction between being emotional and feeling something deeply. And I think I was experiencing the latter.

It seems likely that the song started things off by opening my heart extra-wide from the moment I woke up.

Later I was reading my book — a light romantic novel — but the plot involved the anguish of a doctor who had lost his wife and unborn child. And somehow the grief of my 1995 stillbirth was suddenly right there…almost at the surface, making me feel it deeply once again.

There were a few similar instances during the day, but finally, it was time for our regular Friday date night. We decided to watch the 2015 version of Cinderella, which we hadn’t seen since shortly after it came out.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It’s so beautiful and SO well done. Especially the way the entire story is oriented around the profoundly deep message: “Have courage and be kind.”

I found myself in tears over and over again, because so many of the characters really had…character! On display were qualities like goodness, sweetness, honesty, compassion, playfulness, and so much more.

I think my heart really felt it because — deep inside — my soul knows that a world based on such beautiful qualities is the true reality that we all aspire to…whether we know it or not.

A song for the times

It’s in times like these that Swami Kriyananda’s song, Go On Alone, really speaks to me. We sang it for Sunday service this morning and I felt more strongly than ever the message of Truth that is so powerfully expressed through this thrilling combination of melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics! (The song is at approximately the 16:45 mark in the video below, if you want to listen to it.)

But what is that message? For me, this song is all about being in the spine. About standing strong and living life from one’s center. About having courage of conviction and feeling so secure in who you are that you can act with kindness and compassion towards others. Wow, that pretty much describes a hero/heroine, doesn’t it? Which is what I believe these times are calling us to be, because our world sure has need of more everyday heroes and heroines.

Swami’s brief introduction to the song pretty much says it all:
“The path to truth is not for weaklings!
Seek approval not from others,
But in your self, with God.
-Truth Can Never Die”

GO ON ALONE
Some men call it progress—
Down with those who doubt!—
To join the causes others join,
And shout when others shout.
CHORUS
Come, you’re a man,
No passive stone!
Stand up, and call your soul your own!
Go on alone! Go on alone!
Banish weakness: Go on alone!
Go on alone! Go on alone!
Don’t look back! just go on alone!


Some men lack the daring
Ever to be free!
They shun the heights, and crowd the depths,
And court security.
CHORUS

Cowards see but pride in
Singularity,
“Oh, never mind if men are wrong,
So long as they agree!”
CHORUS

Claim the power within you
Error to defy!
The world may change or disappear,
But truth can never die!
CHORUS