Here in Spirit

Listen while you read:  https://youtu.be/h-5JUqv8LcY

No compromise
But willing to sacrifice
Believe what you want
Go on and be who you are
Go out and get what you want
Full of life

The stone is thrown, it's coming fast
The next thing you know, it's crashing through the glass
Now we're down on our knees, picking up the scraps
Whatever it takes, we're gonna build it back

If you don't speak out, we can't hear it
Our love is always here, here in spirit
And all those who came before, here in spirit
And all those who came before, here in spirit

~  Jim James (of My Morning Jacket)

I began this daily blog on New Year's Day.  This is my 55th post.  Yesterday, for the very first time, a friend cautioned me to consider my words.  While I do believe that she misconstrued something I'd written, her observation allowed me to give some careful thought to what I am doing here.  There was a brief moment several weeks ago when I considered avoiding political posts, but I soon abandoned that idea, feeling that I had a responsibility to use my microphone to comment on what I believe to be injustice.  And although I look forward to selecting lyrics and writing posts that are devoid of political content, I feel an urgency now to confront the news of the day and state my opinion, for what it's worth.  The bottom line is this:  if you find my blog offensive, please do not read it.

Jim James, alternately known as Yim Yames, is the frontman of My Morning Jacket.  I got to witness his artistry from the front row at Levon Helm's Barn a few years ago, and it was magnetic.  I am a fan.  Jim participated in the "30 Days, 30 Songs"  pre-election effort last fall with his "Same Old Lie." He later released  Eternally Even in November.  "Here in Spirit" appears on that album.  "It's a song about speaking out and trying to be there for people in spirit even if you can't be at every rally and battle."

I am one of those people.  While I applauded the efforts of those people, including my daughters, who took part in the Women's Marches last month, I was not in a position to participate.  (I hope to remedy that soon.)  And we non-participants, here in spirit, are legion.  I do what I can, and the best that I can do is this, my blog.  If you don't speak out, we can't hear it.

I value each and every one of my friendships here on this planet.  My friend and I, despite our different political ideologies, will do our best to navigate this divide, to focus on what we have in common instead of what we don't.  It is all we can do.  She is important to me, and I do not want to lose her friendship.

Jim James said it best in his Rolling Stone interview:  "So much confusion in the world right now . . . so much pain and chaos.  In times like these, it's easy to get angry and direct our sadness into the empty space-time false reality of the Internet. But we have to try and stay positive and continue to work and speak out for peace and love and equality -- in the real world . . . right now.  We need to reach out to those we disagree with and find common ground.  We must fight the divide and conquer techniques that are working so well to hold us back from universal love."

There is no doubt in my mind that my friend and I are on the same page in that regard.  Meanwhile, I will speak out.  Can you hear me?