I Just Want to Be OK

My wife drew my attention to a young female vocalist and songwriter named Ingrid Michaelson. The song she pointed me to, a video actually, is titled "The Way I Am." A wonderfully cute video that has meaning on many different levels to me, and makes me laugh every time I watch it or even just listen to the song. You can view it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJOzdLwvTHA

Google Ingrid and find her other hit song, "I Just Want to Be OK." I am under the impression it was inspired by or in response to a women's group with breast cancer or survivors of breast cancer. Or maybe both. But it is a song that got into my head and I find myself singing the chorus over and over again. Again, it is so cleverly written it is applicable on many levels.

Her other songs are very good, as well. She is going to be at the Birchmere in November. I am thinking about booking tickets. Anyone interested in going or meeting me there? Tickets are $25.00. The Birchmere is a dinner/music theater in Alexander, VA. Very renown, and more can be learned about them here: http://www.birchmere.com/. After looking over the menu, I am very inclined to go.

But the reason for this blog post is to talk about the song title and line, "I Just Want to Be OK."

Many people, especially in 1st world countries like the United States, want a lot out of life. People are more and more living their lives to be as much as they can be, accumulate as much as they can, go as many places and see as many things as possible, all for their own gratification. I find very few people in this country who have a heart of outreach and would rather do something for someone else than for themselves.

When you get below the surface and into people's lives in 3rd world countries you find a remarkable absence of this mindset. That, unfortunately is changing somewhat as more of the less privileged of the nations strive to improve their standards and infrastructure. There are more and more peoples in poorer nations adopting a capitalist mindset and become more focused on themselves.

But for the most part, people who have less seem to want to share it more readily. And are far more thankful for what they have. They don't regard life as owing them anything. They have a clearer understanding of the distinctions between rights and privileges.

I never was one that sought to gain a lot in life. Probably a good thing, since I haven't. But as I have gotten older I find myself even more willing to give of what I have to others. I don't believe I could be accused of ever being greedy, but I can see where I have been protective and selfish in the past with my possessions.

But this song hit a stong chord with me, and sort of encapsulates my life's proverb at the moment. I just want to be OK. Not rich or powerful or successful in the eyes of my neighbors or peers. Not wise or talented or funny or witty. I just want to be a guy who others can say, "You know, that Bruce, he's an OK guy.

RUOK?