As I listened to the song “Anyway” for the first time, I felt a wash of hope and renewed determination regarding the brutal situation I was facing at that time. This song/poem helped me to reconnect to the goals and dreams, that had been laid aside for an awfully long time.
Fast forward nearly 15 years to today. This global pandemic has stretched us in every imaginable way—truly it has rocked our world…making us question things we’ve believed and held on to for decades. Circumstances beyond our control have brought unfamiliar and difficult changes to our collective and individual versions of “normal.” Things that once defined us—shaped us continue to morph or disappear, leaving us dangling and unconnected. While our days feel endless…the months have clipped by. In many cases, we’ve made valiant effort without much reward.
So what now? Throw in the towel on the hopes and dreams and goals that have always motivated us? Complain bitterly about the unfairness of it all? Throw blame wherever it will stick? Seems prudent that we don’t “throw the baby out with the bath water” as the saying goes.
So how shall we regroup, brush off our resolve and carry on—”Anyway”?
The message of hope and determination that we desperately need is the focus of McBride’s rendition of the song “Anyway.” Take a listen and maybe sparks will ignite what you need to find your direction in an impossibly difficult time. Hopefully its message will resonate and become a source of light and energy—
Recently I’ve learned that this song started as a poem (written by Kent Keith) which Mother Teresa of Calcutta treasured. Now when I read the original poem or listen to this inspirational song, I can imagine in my mind’s eye how it must have inspired Mother Teresa to continue her life’s work—blessing the lives of the poorest of the poor.
Anyway
You can spend your whole life buildin’
Somethin’ from nothin’
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway.
You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway.
(Chorus)
God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good
When I pray it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway
This world’s gone crazy and it’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway
You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
love’em anyway
You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah, sing it anyway
I sing, I dream, I love
Anyway
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