My interpretation of Bend but Don't Break

I have based my blog off of the song “Bend but Don’t Break” by the band No Justice. So it is only fitting I give you the lyrics in case you have not yet YouTubed or searched for the song.

Bend but don’t break give before you take
Always look ‘em right in the eye
These are words to live by

Jim proposed to Sue she said I do
they eloped into a summer’s night
Heading for Loredo that’s the way wind blew
They got in their first real fight
Standing at the alter shoes and her halter
Jim sweating out his Sunday best
Looking all around them but nobody found them
And this is what the preacher said

Chorus:
Bend but don’t break give before you take
Always look ‘em right in the eye
Always have a reason dress right for the season
Never cheat and never lie
These are words to live by

Billy’s washing dishes and all the time he wishes he could find a better way
Yea and no season had rain for a country singer bound for a life of that fortune and fame
He wrote a couple songs and they got a long into the hands of a bad Nashville man
playin’ on the radio and he ain’t never seen no doe
looks back down at them ugly pots and pans

Repeat Chorus
Bend but don’t break give before you take
Always look ‘em right in the eye
Always have a reason dress right for the season
Never cheat and never lie
These are words to live by

You know times in our life are nervous and reckless, sometimes it’s hard just to get by
Ain’t it good to know that we can still grow So gimme one word and tell me one time

Always me and mother and never were no other Daddy died when I was just three
Always understood that she did the best she could I needed someone right there Momma would be
I never thought twice to ask for advice when I got crazy in my head
Whatever the cause she would slowly pause And this is what Momma said

Bend but don’t break give before you take
Always look ‘em right in the eye
Always have a reason dress right for the season
Never cheat and never lie
These are words to live by

So the drift I catch from this song is be flexible, be lenient, be humbled, ask for help when you need it, don’t lie, never cheat, and live your life. There’s going to be times in your life that are tough to get through, you’re going to have to lean on others for support, and you’re going to get down on yourself. But don’t let that be the norm of your life. Let those times be the exception. When I hear this song, I don’t hear a country band singing to a crowd of drunk people at a bar. I hear “keep going” and I hear “life is tough, but it’s tough for everyone.” I also get reminded that life is ever changing and never the same so you have to be able to “bend” so to speak or you will break. Lena Horne said “it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” We can all take something away from Ms. Horne, we can rearrange, use your legs-not your back, lean on people, and just push through it. (That's a subliminal message about CrossFit, which will be mentioned in later posts undoubtedly.) I struggle with leaving work at work, my faith sometimes, and my relationships. I feel like those are things we all struggle with one time or another. But, I just throw it all onto my other shoulder and keep going. I mean after all, if I choose to bear it all, I must carry it all too. My point is, don't let your load get in the way of your view and your goals. Just take everything in stride, hold your head up, and you'll get where you're going eventually. Just remember, Bend but Don't Break.

Be Kind and Rewind VHS tapes,

Hilary