I would like to share some parts of my life journey and struggles through the songs below.

My experiences I
believe would inspire, encourage or cause each of you a frenzy of emotions which I am grateful to impart but a
big part of wishes that I would impact you in more positive way.

My first chosen song is the “Lighthouse Tale by Nickel Creek”. It is about a lighthouse, the keeper and his fiancée.
The story between the keeper and his wife-to-be did not end well as narrated in the song. It is a song about
love, pain and loss. I have a close friend and he was about to get married but unfortunately his fiancée met a
very bad accident and she did not survive. My friend was very heartbroken and depressed. The fear of being
alone and not being able to live without her was overwhelming and me as his closest friend felt the same sadness
and depression as I love them both and witnessed the love and struggle they have done through to be together.
He wanted to be with her so bad that he has attempted to kill himself as he thought of as the only way to be
with her and end the pain that he is going through. I felt responsible of making sure that he sees the light in his
pain and that his fiancée wouldn’t want to see him this way or do anything unreasonable. He has suffered
through that loss but with that loss, he moved on remembering that his fiancée doesn’t want him to be miserable
and so he went on helping other individuals/people that went through similar challenges he had. He still feels
empty and alone from time to time but him seeing the others moving on slowly, it gives him relief and a strength
to keep on going.

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.

I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.
I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.
I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.
And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.
And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me,
Of what has been, and what can never be.

The River of Dreams by Billy Joel is a representation of the Stream of Consciousness. It is spiritual song which
includes some biblical imagery including the line “Through the Valley of Fear” which is a reference to Psalm 23:4.
I personally love this song as it provides positive motivation to continue and pursue my dreams. I know that my
dreams doesn’t have expiry or end date and that I have to keep on trying and trying until it becomes a reality. I
would relate this songs to the test of life and going through it, keeping the faith that everything will be in good
state even after all the adversities and challenges in life, getting up when you fall down and that everyone is the
same at some point of life but success relies on how hard you work in achieving your goals. It is like finding
yourself and being true to yourself in all of this struggles. Most importantly, this song means a spiritual quest
and a leap of faith as well. I know a lot of people thinks that they can replace spiritual search with many things
such as happiness, love, a new outlook on life, a radical life change, all of which are ends up searching for the
same thing which I believe goes back to the spiritual pursuit. This is just how I interpret the song, I could be
wrong.
In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To a river so deep
I must be looking for something
Something sacred I lost
But the river is wide
And it's too hard to cross
And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and I stand on the shore
And try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find out what I've been looking for
In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep
With all the challenges I’ve been through such as making wrong decisions and falling short or any kind of problem
that is tossed at me, I think it made me a much better person as I was before. There are quite a number of
learning curves which helps us make decisions better and plan ahead better. I lost my job recently and I felt so
distressed and most importantly extremely worried on how will I feed my family. I was not prepared when my
employer communicated that he cannot guarantee my position once I return to work after my school term. I
was partly responsible of this dilemma as I assumed that I have planned everything before taking my
course/school full time. I thought we are on the same page but it was unfortunate that we are not and I have
been complacent. It was a little too late to realize that there was miscommunication about my plans of going
back to school. No matter how difficult our situation is we need to bounce back.
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
You shoot me down, but I get up

I'm bulletproof nothing to lose

Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall, I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium, I am titanium, I am titanium, I am titanium

The lyrics below talks about not worrying in every aspects of life as every little thing is supposed to be alright
and that things happen for a reason. The main message is pretty straight forward to enjoy life and let us not be
concerned too much especially the things that is beyond our control. I used to micro manage everything in my
life, personal and workwise until I realized that it is giving me so much harm than good. I started to take things
easy. With work, I started letting people decide and just guide them by making them see the pros and cons of
their decision and the same applies in personal life. This gives a chance to the people around me to grow as an
individual, makes their own decision and as for me, I started seeing the benefit of trusting people on their
capability and it makes me feel happier and appreciate things around me.

Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Perch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!

Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!"
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right"

The entire journey of coming over in Canada is not an easy feat. I stumbled and fell. We have no relatives here
however we do have quite a number of friends though they are spread out in different provinces. Not to mention
that I have strong family support back in my home town. I have been dreaming of going back to school since I
came over here few years ago but was set aside as I as working hard and started a family of my own. This song
is my daily dose of positivity. It drives optimism to achieve my dreams, a better life for my family and to help
my parents.

I'm on top of the world

I've tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something
I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn't have 'cause
I've traveled all this way for something
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey