Feel it, own it and live it. Always.

Proudly, I am a child of the ’70s, which means I have a head chock-full of very random and often completely unrelated, but yet otherwise always color-filled experiences and images, many, most gratefully, leaving their longest lasting impressions. Being a child of the ’70s is the reason I prefer spending my time wandering about outdoors and probably the root cause of my constant state of barefootedness.

Perhaps it might also explain my love of cheese products over the fancier foo-foo varieties I see at the market. And, upon careful reflection, it might also be the basis for my most recent purchase, a vintage Rock’em, Sock’em Robots set. These are just a few of the many reason I am now, and will always be, such a hippie at heart.

So today, in honor of my inner hippie, I pay homage to Mr. Billy Preston whose music helped fill and shape my little hippie heart, and whose energy helped to shape my spirit. Thank you, Mr. Preston, I learned a lot of really cool sh*t from you. The following is just the short list.

1. There is no such thing as a “bad hair day.”

Hair should fly free, in all directions, with the wind blasting through it. It should never be smoothed down, tethered, tormented and otherwise spritzed to its breaking point; it should be an expression of you, yourself, your spirit, your most individual you. And the same thing goes for you, and your own spirit. Fly free and stop worrying about what that mirror is telling you. Remember, its opinion is only really your very own after all.

2. Happiness has a beat; bounce to it.

I always loved watching Billy onstage because the music just seemed to come through him. No fancy acoustics, no light shows, no lip syncs—just a man with his hand directly on the pulse of the music. When Billy sang, he literally bounced. You could tell he was all joy in that one moment. Not too many artists out there today, can so effortlessly tap into the real “beat” of the music.

Happiness has that beat and life has this beat, too. Never be afraid to bounce to your own beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE&w=420&h=315

Feel it, own it, and live it. Always.

3. When the American Idol judges tell you to make it your own, refer to Billy Preston’s cover of the Beatles song “Blackbird” as your benchmark. 

Also, “make it your own” applies to all things in life and living, including bubble baths and impromptu ninja fights, but most of all, it applies to you. Make it your own in all things you say and do—never, ever, ever, ever afraid to apply your stamp to even the silliest things like forever and faithfully eating only the pecans out of your favorite butter pecan ice cream or going frosting first on the cupcake (it’s only a delivery system anyway). “Make it your own” applies to all things and everything.

4. Surround yourself with only the most wonderful of spirits and friends.

Surround yourself with only the most amazing, awe-inspiring spirits and friends. Those, who’ll raise your spirit up 10,000 degrees just by their sheer presence in and around your heart. Love them, embrace them and hold them dear with everything you’ve got and while you’ve got them here.

Bask in the light of their inner weirdo and smile at all the millions of reasons their spirit stands so much higher than the rest. These souls will light your way—no matter where you go and no matter how dark that path may seems. Let their light fill your entire universe.

P.S. I’ll bet George Harrison was one of the most amazing friends ever.

5. And finally, joy is all around you—smile until your face hurts.

There’s joy all around us; it’s up to you to see it. Find what makes your heart smile and live in every single moment of it. Because, in the end, we are the gatekeepers to our own spirits and life should always and forever be just this way.

 

 

~

Editor: Sarah Winner

Like elephant journal on Facebook