John Mayer's title lyric "Waiting for the World to Change" is a powerful reminder of the responsibility that adults have in empowering children and young adults to have a voice for change in our culture.
Our (adult) responsibility is to demonstrate and empower in our young friends that the world is theirs to change and that, rather than sympathizing with the disposition that Mayer describes, they should instead aspire to a different set of lyrics.
If you haven't heard John Legend's "If You're Out There" take a moment to find it and perhaps even pay for it. Reading the lyrics here doesn't do his rendition justice.
Are you out there?
If You're Out There lyrics
If you hear this message, wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman, calling every man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday and we're already late
We've been looking for a song to sing
Searched for a melody
Searched for someone to lead
We've been looking for the world to change
If you feel the same
Then go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
Now, now
No more broken promises
No more call to war
Unless it's love and peace that we're really fighting for
We can destroy hunger
We can conquer hate
Put down the arms and raise your voice
We're joining hands today
Oh I was looking for a song to sing
I searched for a leader
But the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes
Just go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
Now, now
Oh now, now
If you're ready we can shake the world
Believe again
It starts within
We don't have to wait for destiny
We should be the change that we want to see
If you're out there
Ooooh
If you're out there
And you're ready now
Say it loud
Scream it out
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you hear this message, wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman, calling every man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday and we're already late
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Mike,
ReplyDeleteOutstanding blog. The idea of the John Mayer lyrics inspires my thinking about the future, which I agree began yesterday for me. Inspiring blog, Mike, and I have bookmarked it for future entries. I am honored to have you working with us at Bethlehem.
mike tebbano
Hi Mike---as a consumer of language, it's nice to see poetry as part of your blog. That said, there is much to be gleaned from those words. I've always enjoyed learning new techniques and methods. My frustration lies in having great ideas but not having the tools with which to implement them.
ReplyDeletebeth
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to start a blog. I have been meaning to start one myself. This a great song by John Meyer and great message. I think we continually need to look for ways to change in our teaching and in life. It keeps our ideas fresh and innovative. Sharing these ideas with others is even better.
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog! And so motivating for the rest of us. Blogs stimulate reflection, and without reflection growth is stagnant. As educators, we don't often have time for true reflection. But, here you have made that time. Very powerful, thanks for sharing. Twitter your blog so I can follow it! Hmmm, now I need to think about doing one myself.
Dianna Reagan
I don't tweet but I did start a blog!
ReplyDeletebeth
http://readingwritingandnewtechnology.blogspot.com/
Mike~ Thank you for inspiring me! I am always excited to discover a new email from you in the inbox...and this one has potential to send me over the top! I have so much to learn....and I want to learn this song and sing it as loud as I can! Thank you for this gift! Barb
ReplyDelete