New Beginnings

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Spencer C. Young

Although it may be February, it’s never too late to undertake new initiatives for the new year — for as the saying goes: “This is the first day of the rest of your life“, so why not make it a good one? . . . and then build on it !!

[Performance may be preceded by a brief advertisement and lyrics are reflected below.]

This Is The New Year

[Blaine:]
Another year you made a promise
Another chance to turn it all around
And do not save this for tomorrow
Embrace the past and you can live for now
And I will give the world to you

[Marley and Jake:]
Speak louder than the words before you
And give them meaning no one else has found

[Artie and Sam:]
The role we play is so important

[Ryder and Unique:]
We are the voices of the underground

[Marley:]
And I will give the world to you

[Brittany:]
Say everything you’ve always wanted

[Sam:]
Be not afraid of who you really are

[Jake and Marley:]
‘Cause in the end we have each other
And that’s at least one thing worth living for

[Jake:]
And I would give the world to you

[Artie and Brittany:]
A million suns that shine upon me
A million eyes you are the brightest blue
Let’s tear the walls down that divide us
And build a statue strong enough for two

[Jake:]
And pass it back to you

[Ryder and Jake:]
And I will wait for you

[Blaine and Sam:]
‘Cause I would give the world
And I would give the world

[New Directions:]
And I would give the world to you

[Unique:]
This is a New Year

[Blaine with New Directions:]
This is the New Year
A new beginning
You made a promise
You are the brightest
We are the voices
This is a New Year
We are the voices
This is a New Year

Posted in Believing in Yourself, Communicate, Never Giving Up, Thinking Positive & BIG | Tagged , | Leave a comment

If You Yearn For A Loved One . . .

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Spencer C. Young

Lost a Loved One - 640x251. . . feeling sad and alone, look up to the heavens and sense you’re at home.  And those who are skeptical or wondering “why?”, give a glance to this video and then look to the sky. [Perhaps a poet, but don’t know it.]

Posted in Loving Others, Overcoming Loss | Tagged , | 1 Comment

You Gotta Get Up And TRY

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Spencer C. Young

P!nk - 640 x 401Music feeds the soul, in part because lyrics speak directly to each listener, and are interpreted differently from one person to the next.  While the song “Try” by recording artist P!nk is about getting over a lost love, it is unquestionably inspirational and can be applied to virtually ANY set-back in life — for when faced with the ensuing dilemma of whether to: (A)  call it quits; or (B) “get back up on that horse”. . .

. . . You Gotta Get Up And TRY

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NOW Is The Time . . .

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

topoftheworld - R

. . . to be On Top of the World.  Here’s a deceptive music video by Owl City.  I say this because it’s graphically simple, and cute in its design and delivery, but don’t be fooled — it’s jam-packed with POWERFUL and INSPIRING messages.  Crank up the volume and BELIEVE its sound bites.

” I’m on top of the world . . . I’m burning like a wildfire. . . It’s my turn now. . . I’m feeling so alive . . .  I’m over the moon . . . It’s my time . . . I’m going for it . . . I’m moving forward . . . I’m reaching for the stars . . . I’m so stoked . . . I’m moving forward . . . I’m living on the edge . . . Even if it’s cold, I’m getting warmer . . . It’s high time my dark days went out of order . . . I’m on fire and the flames keep on getting higher . . . I’m ready to take on the world . . . I’m ready to rise to the top . . . The sky is my only limit “

Keep these thoughts foremost in your mind, and the MAGIC will happen — so get ready, because NOW Is The Time to be . . .

On Top of the World - 640 x 106

Posted in Being a Leader, Believing in Yourself, Getting Inspired, Thinking Positive & BIG | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Shine Your Way

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

Shine Your Way - 640 x 254

In your pursuits, gauge your efforts to a level YOU are proud of.  Seek NOT to reach perfection . . . for you will assuredly fail.  Make your standard be that of  “excellence”, which you will know and feel in your heart once you’ve reached it and keep in mind an axiom attributed to author Scott Allen, which plasters the walls at Facebook‘s headquarters (and has been its mantra throughout its existence) . . .

Done Is Better Than Perfect - Bordered - 640 x 161

So strive toward a standard of excellence (NOT perfection) in all that you do.  If you do, you will surely shine . . . shine your way.

[A brief advertisement precedes this performance, which is even better than the movie version.]
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“Be Nice To People On Your Way Up . . .

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

Be Kind As You Rise - 640 x 295

. . . because you’ll meet them [again] on your way down.”

— Jimmy Durante

This concept is embodied in this foreboding performance of “Everybody Loves You Now” by Billy Joel, with lyrics reflected below.

 

Everybody Loves You Now

Baby all the lights are turned on you
Now you’re in the center of the stage
Ev’rything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime
You’ve come of age
You can always have your way somehow
‘Cause ev’rybody loves you now

You can walk away from your mistakes
You can turn your back on what you do
Just a little smile is all it takes
And you can have your cake and eat it too
Loneliness will get to you somehow
But ev’rybody loves you now

Ah, they all want your white body
And they await your reply
Ah, but between you and me and the
Staten Island ferry So do I

All the people want to know your name
Soon there will be lines outside your door
Feelings do not matter in your game
‘Cause nothing’s gonna touch you anymore
So your life is only living anyhow
And ev’rybody loves you now

Close your eyes when you don’t want to see
And stay at home when you don’t want to go
Only speak to those who will agree
Yeah, and close your mind when you don’t want to know
You have lost your innocence somehow
But ev’rybody loves you now

Ah. you know that nothin’ lasts forever
And it’s all been done before
Ah but you ain’t got the time
To go to Cold Spring Harbor no more

See how all the people gather ’round
Hey, isn’t it a thrill to see them all crawl
Keep your eyes ahead and don’t look down
Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall
This is what you wanted, ain’t you proud
‘Cause ev’rybody loves you now

 

Posted in Being Kind, Loving Others | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Back Down

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

Stand Your Ground - Won't Back Down - 640 x 292B

Here’s an “oldie, but goodie” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with a timeless message that will serve you well in your pursuits, the essence of which was presented in the film Won’t Back Down, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis and Holly Hunter.

[The below videos may be preceded by a brief advertisement and lyrics are shown below.]

I Won’t Back Down

Well I won’t back down, no I won’t back down
You could stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down

No I’ll stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down

Chorus
Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down

Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down

[Chorus 3X] . . . no I won’t back down

Note:  This post is dedicated to Maria Young, a loving mother, and former NYC public school teacher and PTA leader.  This is also a reminder to those who see things they don’t like in this world that it is within The Realm of Possibility they can do something about it . . . but they MUST take action.

Posted in Embrace Change, Never Giving Up, Thinking Positive & BIG | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Are Running . . .

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

Running - 640 x 195

. . . TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

This magnificent and awe-inspiring song by the incomparable Sarah Brightman is accompanied with resplendent panoramic views captured by a mountain climber during his many ascensions.  While this music video is thematically ecological in its message, the notion of “running to save the world” is applicable to the many vexing issues, WE (as representatives of HUMANITY), face today.

Keeping in mind that WE ALL can make a difference, why not undertake a project to correct something, anything you don’t like in this world — to make this world a better place.  And to the extent you can do so in large scale, all the better.  So what are you waiting for?  Join US . . . for WE are running to save the world with LOVE for others and with HOPE for a better tomorrow.

[Lyrics are below — and note that “Gaia” is the Goddess of Earth in ancient Greek mythology.]

 

Running

I was sad and I was silent
In shadow of my soul
Ever seeking the horizon
For promises untold.

I dreamed of silent oceans
And I sang of waters blue
With the crossing of angels
Brought forth to guide me through

To a distant shore so welcoming
where I was free to roam
In a land of ancient mystery
That I could call my own

This is me and you
And we are running
To change the world
Where hope is shining through
Gaia’s green and blue
And we are running
To save the world
That we’re about to lose

We’ll be running
Watch it coming
Green is shining through
Love is rising
Worlds colliding
Green is shining through
Shining, shining, shining

This is me and you
And we are running
To change the world
Where hope is shining through
Gaia’s green and blue
And we are running
Until green is shining through

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Believe You Can Fly

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Spencer C. Young

I Believe I Can Fly

This season of American Idol has uncovered extraordinary talent and has cultivated many inspirational performances by a diverse range of aspiring artists.   This particular gem (video below) was delivered by Curtis Finch, Jr., who has been bestowed with more than just a spectacular vocal instrument of incredible range — he possesses an celestial je nais se quoi which you will FEEL from this performance.

After experiencing Curtis’ masterpiece, YOU TOO will “believe [you] can fly”, but please keep your euphoria in check, and don’t try this (leaping over TEN friends) at home . . .

Don't Try This At Home

[A brief advertisement precedes this performance]
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Hold On - 640 x 220

At times, you may be confronted with a series of mounting challenges, as though you are being ganged up on — you may not know who to turn to, what to do, or where to go.  But no matter what, you gotta “Hold On“, as tomorrow carries the promise of another day.  And if you perceive tomorrow as the . . .

First Day of the Rest of Your Life-R

 .  . . you just may find your soul has been awakened and rejuvenated, and thus suddenly able to recognize a sea of opportunities there for the grabbing.

Although the context of this bluesy music video by Alabama Shakes is from the personal perspective of its lead singer, Brittany Howard, its sentiments can be embraced by ANYONE who feels down on their luck . . . because we’ve ALL been there.

[Lyrics are shown below and performance may be preceded by a brief advertisement.]

Hold On

Bless my heart, bless my soul
I didn’t think I’d make it to 22 years old
There must be someone up above
saying “Come on, Brittany, you got to come on up.”
“You got to hold on . . .
Yeah, you got to hold on . . .”

So, bless my heart and bless yours too
I don’t know where I’m gonna go
Don’t know what I’m gonna do
Well, there must be somebody up above
saying “Come on, Brittany, you got to get back up!”
“You got to hold on . . .
Hey, you got to hold on . . .”

“Yeah! You got to wait!
Yeah! You got to wait!”
But I don’t wanna wait!
No, I don’t wanna wait . . .

So, bless my heart and bless my mind
I got so much I wanna do, I ain’t got much time
So, must be someone up above
saying “Come on baby girl! You got to get back up!”
“You got to hold on . . .
Yeah, you got to hold on . . .”

“Yeah, you got to wait!
Yeah, you got to wait!”
But I don’t wanna wait!
No, I don’t wanna wait!

“You got to hold on . . . (when the world ain’t treatin’ you good)
You got to hold on . . . (when everybody lookin’ at you funny)
You got to hold on . . .
You got to hold on . . .”

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Spencer C. Young | Leave a comment