"Reach for the sky" and God's help
I recently discovered the music of Terry Draper, a former member of Klaatu, a '60s rock group originally confused with the Beatles. Terry went on to record some inspirational songs that resonate with me and my crazy life of chasing God-ordained insane goals.
I loved Klaatu for "Subrosa Subway" and "We're Off You Know," but several of his solo songs lift my spirit.
Ever since OU when I'd have to walk through Cate Center -- where girls were sunbathing -- to get to my 1 o'clock classes, I've used music to motivate me past distractions and keep me on course.
I used to listen to Styx' "I'm Okay" and "Fooling Yourself" at the end of exasperating days as sports editor after trying to get naysayers and foot-draggers to seek excellence instead of just a paycheck. Now, while questioning my masquerade as the Senior Sooner and getting no traction yet toward creating a group of senior OU fans, I find I'm in need of encouragement.
And I've found just that in Terry Draper, especially his "Reach for the Sky" and "Carry On." Hmmm, come to think of it, my Midwest City High School's motto was "Ad Astra," Latin for to the sky. And as an Air Force brat I often looked skyward, so I was interested in what Terry had to say, or rather sing. Here are some of his lyrics:
"If you're going to do it, do it right.
Don't be afraid if you think you might
make a mistake.
Go ahead and try it anyway.
If they don't buy it; that's okay.
You've got to give it a try.
Know you can do it if you want to.
Know that you will if you try.
There isn't one thing you can't do
when you reach for the sky."
Terry's "Carry On" also is about achieving dreams, with a sad note about "how many times must we see our dreams collide -- nevertheless carry on." And there's his to-the-point "I have a Dream."
And while I don't know if the late Mr. Draper was a believer, I translate the word sky for Almighty God of the Bible. The Lord, in His wondrous sense of humor, likes using simple ol' me to confound the supposedly wise. Time and again He calls me to a seemingly impossible venture where I MUST reach out for His grace to see it through. And when things don't go well, I still must carry on.
Here's where you can listen to Terry's tunes:
* Terry Draper - I Have A Dream
As well as these from Styx:
* Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
* I'm O.K.
