1.31.24

Tonight’s selection is one of my Bad Day Songs. It’s also one of my Good Day Songs. Whatever mood I’m in, it makes me happier and gives me a bit of a perspective readjustment.

Tonight, it’s decidedly a Bad Day Song, but it’s already making my day a bit better.

I came home from school not entirely certain that I’m half-decent at my job. Not even feeling like I’m pulling off the whole being-an-adult thing that well. But also knowing that I will try again tomorrow because I love what I do.

When British rapper The Streets released his 2008 album, Everything Is Borrowed, I was not the person I am now. A day like today would have done me in for days. I’d go home, go to bed, wake up to eat dinner, and go back to bed.

As I write this, I am in the funkiest of funks, but it’s nothing compared to back then. The fact that I’m writing this is testament to that. And by the time I fall to sleep tonight, I’ll be mostly ok.

The Streets’ surprisingly earnest lyrics (he’d been pretty cynical and rough on previous albums) remind me of the fickleness of life and the importance of focusing on what matters most. Taking stock of the important things, I realize I’m a hell of a fortunate guy.

The people I’ve surrounded myself with — the ones I consider my tribe, my inner circle — are the outward manifestation of the better angels of my nature. Related by blood or spirit, they inspire, carry, and motivate me. They provide a surplus of the only thing that goes with me when my time is up.

It’s hard to feel bad for long in the midst of so much love.

I came to this world with nothing

And I’ll leave with nothing but love

Everything else is just borrowed