Showing posts with label Human Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Human Nature. Show all posts

Inspirational Song Analysis: Early in the Morning by Charlie Wilson, Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor


When Harlan Howard was asked to describe what makes good, honest music, especially in country and folk, he replied "three chords and the truth." This is also true for rhythm and blues, also known as R&B. Relatable music serenades your heart and mind: the heart feels the emotions and the mind interprets the message. Inspirational music encourages positive change. At a recent gathering, a DJ played "Early in the Morning" written by Charlie Wilson, Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor, originally recorded by The Gap Band. Even though I had heard the song several times, this time I really listened to the lyrics and discovered a powerful message about acceptance, letting go and moving on. Let's discuss....

#Earlyinthemorning #GapBand

How to Be Happy: Happiness Becomes You by Tina Turner

 



                                                        Tina Turner, Courtesy of Wikipedia

Tina Turner (November 26, 1939-May 24, 2023) was a famous singer, actor, producer and writer. Her hero's journey began in a small rural town in Brownsville, Tennessee. Turner's childhood was difficult due to financial poverty and racial discrimination. However, she was destined for greatness. Turner became an international star and sold millions of records worldwide. While browsing books at a recent library visit, Happiness Becomes You by Tina Turner caught my attention.  Turner dedicated the book to her readers: "I dedicate this book to you....in honor of your unseen efforts to triumph over each problem life sends your way." Let's discuss...

Book Review: Men and Grief, by Mitch Cohen M. ED, Contributors: Jon Yaeger; Robert Rainey; Dom Caratzas; Derek Scott, RSW, and Stuart Smith, LPC

 

"Life is suffering," is one of the Four Noble Truths in the Buddhist religion. Even though I am not Buddhist, I agree. Suffering is universal because it is an integral part of the human experience. Grieving is one of the few experiences in life we all have in common. Show me one person who has never cried in life. Go ahead, I will wait. Everybody grieves. It is quite common for women to be vocal about grief. For an example, most talk shows are female topic focused. In contrast, it is not common for men to be vulnerable and openly share their grief.  In the book, Men and Grief by Mitch Cohen M. Ed. and Contributors: Jon Yaeger; Robert Rainey; Dom Caratzas; Derek Scott, RSW, and Stuart Smith, LPC, men share their stories of grief and how they found strength to overcome sorrow through family, therapy, community and love. Let's discuss.....

How to Get Away with Murder: In Defense of Michaela Pratt

                  Michaela Pratt from How to Get Away with Murder, portrayed by actress                                                                     Aja Naomi King

How To Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM), rated TV-14, is one of my favorite legal dramas. As of November 2025, it is streaming on Amazon Prime. Peter Nowalk is the creator and Shondra Rhimes is the executive producer. HTGAWM follows the lives of Analise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor, and five of her law students (K5), who are involved in a series of complex murder plots. However, the complicated relationship between the K5 is why I repeatedly watch it on streaming. My favorite character is Michaela Pratt, portrayed eloquently by actress Aja Naomi King, who on the surface is not very likeable until you get to know her. I know her. Let's discuss....Warning, this post contains spoilers.  

Dr. Jack Schafer's Friendship Formula: How to Make Friends or Lose Them


                                                               Courtesy of Amazon 

"Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone"
  From Maya Angelou's poem, "Alone"

Dr. Angelou is right. Nobody can make it in the world alone. People need people. Everything is interrelated. Recently, I had car trouble.  My over 300,000k miles sedan needed an alternator, but I did not know it at the time. Yes, my battery light came on, but I kept on driving.  I didn't heed the signs (we'll discuss this in a separate blog). As I sat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck, I started thinking about the interrelationships of life.  As social beings, we need each other, but not all relationships work out. Sometimes it is challenging to find the right people for us. I took my car to one body shop, but they could not do the job on my schedule, needed to order the part and charged me double the price. So, I took it to another shop who had the right parts, time and price. Likewise, making friends is a hit or miss game. However, according to Dr. Jack Schafer, there is a formula for making friends. After you make them, then you decide which ones to let go of or keep. Let's discuss...