masterwordsmith-unplugged

Did you ever watch "Funny Girl" (1964) in your younger days? If you did, perhaps you might know the song "People". "People" is a well-known song, written by Jule Styne (composer) and Bob Merrill (lyricist) for the Broadway musical Funny Girl (1964) starring Barbra Streisand, who sang the song. Its most famous line is from its chorus, "People who need people....". This song has been recorded by Dionne Warwick, Jack Jones, Richard Clayderman, Perry Como, The Supremes and others, but is most closely associated with Streisand as her signature song.

With the passing of time, I cannot help but realize how much I have changed in my life. I reckon the biggest change that I have experienced is in the area of human relationships. Once upon a time, I used to make friends easily and was a very sociable person, having guests at my house, going out a lot and doing lots of stuff. A couple of experiences changed my perspective and the way I connected with people.

And then I slowly withdrew into my shell...into the world of blogging - a safe, secure world where I could express my thoughts and feelings. Those who know me from days gone are quite shocked that I have since become very reclusive, quiet and reserved.

What is it about human relationships that can be so complicated? If one is too caring, the recipient runs away. If one is too cold, where does it leave us? The older one gets, the more complicated life becomes because one may realize that people are not what they seem to be. Where then do we draw the line of how real we should be?

I guess I am blessed in that blogging has brought a few real friends into my life - strangely, friends whom I may not have met before and some who became real friends even before we met. That is one of the blessings of blogging that I have experienced in the last one and a half years.

Only time can tell who are our real friends. Sometimes, one can be a friend only for a season, for a reason. Perhaps I am being an idealist to hope and dream that my friends can be in my life for all seasons. Yet, with the many hard knocks in life and various disappointments, I have come to grips with this fact that people are complex and confusing creatures who can be warm and also cold, unlike dogs or other pets who are warm, kind and loving all the time.

I have come to accept that each person is different and I should just cherish the moment for what it is. Unlike before, I no longer get all emo when I lose a friend or if they choose to stay away or remain passive. I treasure the moments shared and move on. All these emotions that have been going through my mind brought to remembrance two songs - People and Alfie, both sung by Barbra Streisand.

The song "People" asserts that "people who need people" — that is, people who love others and are not emotionally cut off from them — are the "luckiest people in the world". I guess I am lucky then, by this definition, because I have not hardened by heart to love others and still have the capacity to love even though it is not as easy as it used to be.....CLICK HERE for Barbara Streisand's beautiful rendition of "People".




And here's Alfie, written by Burt Bacharach, a song that has truly taught me LOTS about people....and I wish to dedicate it to all my blog readers, especially those who have become dear friends and who have taught me so much about life, giving, politics and what it means to be a friend...you guys have restored in me hope and faith that yes, things can get better....

CLICK HERE for Joss Stone's version of Alfie.

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,

What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've
missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.


Click HERE for Barbara Streisand's definitive version of Alfie or HERE for Cilla Black's Live recording of Alfie (which I find rather rough) and OVER HERE for the ORIGINAL Alfie sung with so much haunting sadness by Cher!!

Finally, here's something for all of you, especially for all my regular readers, friends and former students...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant .

* Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season but I hope it will be for a lifetime, for all seasons! Indeed, in this cruel world, true friends are treasures to be cherished.