Episode #19

What’s your song?

Really.

When you wake up in the morning, what music begins to fade-in?

When you walk out your door each day, what band is playing?

When you get to work, what music accompanies you?

What is your theme song?

What is your intro music?

This week I had an encounter at the gas station. As I was walking into Exxon, there was a gentlemen holding the door open for me.  This young man was very much different than I am, but I appreciate his style, and quickly realized that we were from very different backgrounds. His attire was in opposition to the way that I typically dress, as his clothes were looser, and hung a bit lower than I typically wear mine. But, I’m not exactly Giorgio Armani, so I will just leave that alone. He was dressed in the way that the people who are bad for our country, say are bad for our country…so I kinda liked him. I thanked him for the courtesy of holding the door for me, and he graciously responded with , “Yes, sir.” He followed up with asking me if I was having a good day. I assured him that I was having an excellent day, and I made my way back towards the Gatorade section of the store.

I retrieved my drink from the cooler, the snacks for the kids, and I approached the cash register. As I slowly inching forward in the checkout line, the same young man, with a nice smile and clear eyes, asked me,

“Do you like rap music?”

I responded,

“No, sir. I like old school rap, but don’t really listen to today’s rap too much.”

He then said,

“If I told you that I was the best rapper in Memphis, would you buy my CD?”

I said, “No sir, I am not interested.”

He then held up his hand, turned his head, and began to slowly back away. As he was widening the distance between the two of us, he said,

“Say no more. Hey, I appreciate you listening to what I had to say. You good, man. Let’s be good good to each other.”

And he walked away. He went about his business, shopping for whatever it was that he came in the store to buy, and I went about mine, standing in line at the register.

I made my purchase, went back to the car, and gave my kids the snacks which they had requested. As I sat with my vehicle in “park”, I continued to think about the young rapper and the pleasant exchange that we had with one another. I thought about his hustle, his drive, and his determination. I thought about how I would feel if that was my son, trying to sell a piece of his work. I thought about the lack of resources that this particular gentleman, most likely, had available to him. And, I thought about the person who raised him, and taught him to be courteous. Honestly, I don’t really know what it was about him, but he had me thinking.

After realizing that I had thought about it enough, I removed my seat belt, stepped out of my vehicle, and went back inside to find the young man. I told him,

“Hey man, I want one of your CD’s.”

As he was settling up with the attendant, he said,

“You got it, sir.”

I told him,

“The real reason I’m buying this is because I appreciate your hustle,  and I appreciate your shutting the hell up when I told that I wasn’t interested.”

He said laughingly,

“I try to sell my music everywhere I go, and when people don’t wanna hear me, they don’t wanna hear me, so I get quiet, real fast.”

I made the exchange of $5 cash for a CD, which had no cover. I wasn’t really interested in what was on it. It had labeling on the front and appeared just amateur enough to be legit. I stuck it in the CD player, curious to see if I had been sold a blank CD. I heard the music play, and felt satisfied with my purchase, knowing full well that I would most-likely never listen to it.

I wasn’t buying the CD for the music that was on it, I bought it because I liked his song. I liked his spirit. I liked his spunk. I liked the positivity that shown through his being. I appreciated his bright smile, his courtesy, and his acknowledgement that we should all “be good to each other”. I’m a sucker for an optimist. I’m a sucker for someone who is putting in the work. I’m a sucker for someone who is willing to do things to better themselves, especially when they have no blueprint. I’m a sucker for a lot of things. Above all else, I’m a sucker for a song.

Allow people to hear your song. Don’t distort it, or muffle it, or try to keep it quiet. Be that song, and appreciate what the people around you bring with them into the equation. We can all get on the same wavelength, and in tune with each other. Our song doesn’t have to be a good one every day, but it needs to be heard. The only bad song is no song at all. Let your song sing. Don’t turn it off for anybody or anything, not even for a second. Rock that song.

Peace, Love, and all things Beef related,

Beefcake

My name is Wilson Horrell, aka “Beefcake”.  I’m a junkie turned sober that found CrossFit, running, and community to be my new addiction. I have no education or experience as a writer, and almost zero knowledge of grammar. I love sitting in front of a computer and spitting it out on paper as it goes through my brain. I hope you enjoy reading, and feel free to reach out or comment at anytime!

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