My Favorites
My Favorite Poem
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
This poem is something quite special. It was shared with me during my Peace and Social Justice class in high school. It reminds me that the world will continue to move, regardless of your trials and tribulations. It reminds me to have faith in the constantly moving world and the absolute beauty in the patterns of the world.
I urge you to read this poem by taking a breath beforehand and letting its words travel within you. Sit with each section; ask yourself what it means to you.
I’m not the type of person who can listen to one song repeatedly. However, for a high school art project, I was once assigned to do so for 2 months, as I created a piece of art inspired by the song. I explored my love for typography during this time, and for some reason, never got tired of the song. This song is special. It tugs on the ambitious heartstrings of visionaries who cannot help but get hung up on their shortcomings. It reminds us to treat ourselves with grace, we only have one life and we must not drain ourselves by thinking about what we have not done. We must refill our own cups with strength by reflecting on our potential as well as the journey that has gotten us here, in the first place.
Vienna, to me, is finding a sense of home within yourself and your community. Vienna is feeling safe in yourself. It is something you must work towards, but something that is already within you. However, it is something you must never stop pursuing. You must never be satisfied, always asking yourself more questions; never become content with your growth. Dream the biggest dreams, and do what you can to achieve them. Do not take rejection as pain, but rather as a redirection and reset moment.
In this technology-filled, fast-paced, world, this song grounds me and takes me back to the reality of living and loving your human life, and doing what you can with your resources to make change.
My Favorite Song
Vienna by Billy Joel
“Slow down, you crazy child. You’re so ambitious for a juvenile. But then if you're so smart tell me, why are you still so afraid?”
“Where's the fire, what's the hurry about? You better cool it off before you burn it out. You got so much to do and only so many hours in a day”
“Slow down you're doing fine. You can't be everything you want to be before your time. Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight”
“You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need. Though you can see when you're wrong, you know you can't always see when you're right”
“You got your passion, you got your pride, but don't you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true.”
“When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?”
