Rockin the stage.

5 Songs to Live By

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Rockin the stage.

Studies in neuroscience have shown that music is capable of influencing complex neurological processes. What I get from this is that the type of music I listen to affects me in different ways. Does it control me? No. Can it influence me? Hell yes! Clinical studies provide some evidence that music can be used in treating depression, autism, schizophrenia, and dementia, as well as problems of agitation, anxiety, sleeplessness, and substance misuse. Are you kidding me? Music can do all that? The simple answer is yes. It can affect you in both positive and negative ways. Which is why I put together a list of music to live by . . . because I want a lifestyle that rocks!

Simple Man
“Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied”

Simple equates to satisfied, and being satisfied leads to happiness which is my ultimate pursuit in life. I learned in the Marines that the less I “need” to be satisfied the happier I am. For example, if you need a comfortable pillow, silky sheets, a pillow top mattress, and a hot lady next to you to be satisfied, you’re not going to sleep happy very often; however, if all you need to sleep is the ground, then you’re going to sleep happy every night. This works for everything — try it.

Amazing Grace
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.”

Oh no, look out, a song about belief? I don’t care what you believe in — but you should believe in something because when you don’t, your lack of belief and principles make you a boring, spineless man. I believe in all kinds of ideas: America, Apple Pie, God, Family, Love, The Right to Bare Arms — I’m a big fan of tank tops on ladies — and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Our beliefs are what make us interesting to each other. The combination of your beliefs make you unique. None of us agree on everything, heck some of us don’t agree on anything, but that’s where we get to have the most fun as men talking.

Margaritaville
“Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
Now I think
Hell, it could be my fault”

‘Wastin’ away is up to you, but if you are blaming your woes on a woman or anyone else for that matter, I have news for you: It is your fault, deal with it and move on to searching for the lost salt shaker. This is a great song because it’s about dropping your baggage, relaxing, being in the moment and enjoying life. Again, that eternal pursuit of happiness.

Copperhead Road
“Everybody knew that he made moonshine
Now the revenue man wanted Grandaddy bad
He headed up the holler with everything he had
It’s before my time but I’ve been told
He never came back from Copperhead Road”

Rebellion isn’t just for teenagers. It’s every man’s duty to rebel against things “that just don’t make no sense” (Oh Brother Where Are thou). Two things that don’t make any sense to me are Death and Taxes, and I promise to rebel against these two things until they make sense to me.

Final Song
The final song I leave up to you. Individuality is an important part of being a man. Cloning up for zombie land might be a must do, but it doesn’t make you intelligent, cool, or even good at your job. So take a moment, figure out the song that makes you an individual and let us know. So yeah, I want to know — it won’t be the same as mine, I guarantee it.

Believe in simple, satisfied, and being in the moment with a shake of rebellion.

This image shows a YETI Roadie 48 wheeled cooler on a beach with a lake in the background.


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