Paradise Of Strangers

ALERT!

There seems to be an epidemic going around, perhaps on mist of the current state of illness that is also getting passed from folk to folk.  In this modern day of flying machines and words, pictures and sound travelling invisiblly from one box to another around the world, it seems that nothing is impossible.  That maybe true, but for something to live, something else often parishes.  i think in this case, in our case, what is dying is the word NO.

What happened to NO you might ask?  Well it seems a lot of good people became so worried about being KNOWN as good people they hurt themselves in the process of pleasing others.  They become sick, broke, lonely, resentful, angery, over promising and under delivering GOOD people.  What good is doing something nice for a person if you are going to resent them for asking you anyway?  If someone asks you to do something for them, like (and im just throwing this out there) going to gillsotu.com and buying a copy of my new cd, if not for you then as a gift for someone who needs good music in their life...you have the option to decline.  Not lie, not exaggerate, as to why you dont want to.  Not even elaborate as to why you cant.  Just a good old fashion "No, thank you." 

When did we get so scared to tell our truth?  When did we decide that we were so despicable that no one would appreciate the real us.  It may be shocking to the reciever of that NO, but aren't you a little tired of living the life someone else wants you to?  Now dont get me wrong.  there will be and should be lots of occasions you do something for someone you love when you don't want to.  Such is life, such is love.  But i know there are times when you really got stuck or dragged something out because you were scarred to be you.  It is ok to be a loving as well as an honest person.  im saying this to myself as well as to all of you.  I get asked to do so many shows and events and charities and "business opportunites" and although id like to entertain them all, i simply cannot.  So lets be each other's support group and learn to be happy being honest, and not always see it as a bad thing.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK:
Give that person you have been putting off the answer you have kept in your heart for a long time.  whether it is a no or a yes, but be honest.  dont hesitate, don't wait for the perfect opportunity.  If this doesn't apply to you, pick someone that means something to you, tell them something honest that you have been wanting to say (hopefully its good). 

This week, try to catch yourself telling small lies and/or exaggerations.  correct yourself instantly.  I haven't mastered this skill in myself, i am only aware of the problem.  i will be with you brothers and sisters.  be well.

On A Personal Note:
Valentine's day is approaching, a lot of people really hate this holiday.  Usually it is ones who are alone or hate giving gifts in the first place.  (im not judging, im just sort of validating you.  i understand)  i am indifferent about it, but i like doing nice things for the one i love.  What sort of bothers me is that so many people need an official date to do something nice.  But for those alone or those with someone and still lonely, this poem is for you.  it is from a free write called Paradise of Strangers.  It goes back to being honest.  the scene in the poem is a couple who walks into a party at the verge of breaking up but pretend everything is ok.  Lying for the sake of lying because we dont want to be pitied.  but at the same time we are dying inside.  That is why i call it the Paradise of Strangers.  Sometimes when you are tired of being you, meeting strangers is the greatest thing.  you get to reinvent yourself everytime.  So here it is:


PS...So you gonna buy that CD right?

Until then, be now
Gill

Paradise of Strangers

In a paradise of strangers we are silent/
They mask our shame/
They laugh above our insecurities/
We hide comfortably amongst the people who don’t give a damn about us/

Its been so long I can’t remember,
is this what we said our love was gonna be/

We run into the conversations of others for a distraction of who we are/
Water to the dehydrated
With you I feel I am king of a desert
Ruler of isolation/
Your indifference is a silent sun, beating upon me/

And I’ve been lost so long I really cant remember,
Is this what we said our love was going to be?/

I can’t help but to watch you trying/
Standing amongst the strangers
Holding a flashlight above your head/
A fake shine
The rumor is everything between us is fine/

And as I leave you claim I am not feeling well
Another mirage in my desert
I put on my crown
And walk out into nothing