Ain't Got No...

This by far is one of my favorite Nina Simone songs.(Originally written during the Civil Rights Movement, but it resonates to my core not only for the rights of minorities, but as a woman/person suffering with inner doubt.)  She boldly states what she doesn't have but in the end states louder:

I 've got life, I've got my freedom
I've got the life

I've got the life
And I'm gonna keep it
I've got the life
And nobody's gonna take it away
I've got the life

We so often talk about the things we don't have but rarely discuss the things we have and are grateful for. I have learned the hard way that one must stop and "actually smell the roses." No really stop and smell the damn flowers and take in all that this world has to offer you.  I tend to close myself off from people and not reaching out when I need help with things. I am the person that likes to do things for themselves and don't even try to ask if you can help... I will eat you alive, even if I am drowning in my own sweat. What do I not have in my life right now? I don't have a job, a job that I love doing-teaching. I love it more than just a job, it is my calling. I would love to say I had a great first week with new students and enjoyed decorating my classroom, but I can't do that now. I was sad, frustrated, irritated, etc. seeing people talk about their first day back in the classroom, but I got over it. It's not my time to be there yet...there is a plan in place and I am just following it to the end. I am staying positive and not regretting my decisions, even though I do ruminate on them now and again. So that is one thing that I don't have in my life, but what do I have? I have LIFE....simply stated like Simone sings, " I've got life, I've got freedom." Why does this song dig deep into my soul? It reminds me that I have something to live for. I woke up this morning with breath in my lungs, a body that supports my everyday challenge not to kill myself while working out, a husband that loves me and cares for me unconditionally, a family that supports- those are the things I've got. I have so much to be thankful for, I just have to look around. You tend to miss the things that are most important to you, because you are so used to them being there. People like to accumulate THINGS...well I have been purging my life of things. I don't even remember the last time I stepped into a store other than to buy food. I have been purging my life of people that don't understand me (totally sarcastic and can be off putting to many-thanks to my resting bitchy face) I swear I am a pleasant person. In the last year I have learned that THINGS don't matter, my LIFE matters and that is what I take from this song. It breaths new life into me when I hear it and grounds me. So the next time you start talking about the things you DON'T have, think about the wonderful LIFE you do have, you just have to open your eyes to see.



Entire Song Lyrics:

I ain't got no home, ain't got no shoes
Ain't got no money, ain't got no class
Ain't got no skirts, ain't got no sweater
Ain't got no perfume, ain't got no bed
Ain't got no mind

Ain't got no mother, ain't got no culture
Ain't got no friends, ain't got no schooling
Ain't got no love, ain't got no name
Ain't got no ticket, ain't got no token
Ain't got no God

And what have I got?
Why am I alive anyway?
Yeah, what have I got
Nobody can take away?

Got my hair, got my head
Got my brains, got my ears
Got my eyes, got my nose
Got my mouth, I got my smile
I got my tongue, got my chin
Got my neck, got my boobs
Got my heart, got my soul
Got my back, I got my sex

I got my arms, got my hands
Got my fingers, got my legs
Got my feet, got my toes
Got my liver, got my blood

I've got life, I've got my freedom
I've got the life

I've got the life
And I'm gonna keep it
I've got the life
And nobody's gonna take it away
I've got the life