Life (The Remix)

I remember cringing when P. Diddy came out with an entire music album called “We Invented the Remix” (I actually cringe at everything P. Diddy does, but that’s another story). I was a bit of a stuffed-shirt for my age and didn’t understand why music, good or bad, had to be “remixed.” Wouldn’t it be more logical to just create a new song?

Sometimes logic only exists in our heads. Life beyond our thick skulls, which was made thick by The Man and his crummy education system (which is also another story), often imitates the pensiveness of a musical composition. Having experienced the snares and hi-hats of life, I’ve come to realize there was a method to P. Diddy’s madness all along. He’s right, ya’ know? We invented the remix.

You see, some foolish part of me still believes that life, in its purest form, is probably good enough as it is. But some wise guy came along and changed all that. With the burden of careers, credit reports, and crummy education systems, life is so complex these days. It’s become one FUNKY remix that we’ve each had a hand in engineering.

And it doesn’t stop there! No remix is complete without guest appearances. Let’s throw in a verse from Guy Kawasaki, and perhaps one from Zig Ziglar, Robert Kiyosaki, and Hill Harper. Each telling us, in some way or another, the same cliché about hard work and perseverance. Before you know it, we’ll have a massive posse track requiring two versions. All the well-known guys will be on the radio version (and of course, receive all the radio play). The extended, B-Side track will include everyone else: All the hopefuls, and hobos with holes in their shoes.

We invented the remix, but…

For me, life and music are most confusing when there’s too much background noise. I’ve grown weary of the remix. I’d probably vomit from my ears if I heard one more thing about a mortgage or Master degree. In many ways, I believe we all yearn for the simpler times. When it was okay to be our simple selves, with that one simple voice whispering in our heads.

You were right, P. Diddy. “We invented the remix.” But remixes are rarely better than the originals. What could replace the rhythm of a heartbeat? What could be more valuable than a sound mind, or the simplicity of strings by which it’s composed?

My hope for you, dear reader, is that you will succeed in all your endeavors! That you will accomplish your heart’s every desire. And in the process of it all, that you will acknowledge life. Real life, and not it’s remix.

This is your Monday Unleaded for the week of September 29, 2013. Have a productive week!

Imagine – John Lennon