Moment of Truth
Richard Rodgers, of Rodgers and Hammerstein, wrote the lyrics for many incredible Broadway productions. I find that his song Something Good, from The Sound of Music, speaks to me now in a profound way as I come to terms with my past.
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth
For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth and childhood
I must have done something good
A handful of friends have already read Songs from an Imperfect Life. I asked them to do so for feedback and in some cases, to offer a blurb that could be used for promotion. Most read the book immediately and were generous with their responses. Some parts were shocking to those who have known me most of my life. However, I have been overwhelmed by their heartfelt love and support as well as, allowing me to include them on my journey.
I look at my past in two ways. One, what was done to me and two, how I reacted. What was done to me as a child should have never happened to any child. But does that explain or justify my reactions and/or the behavior that followed? I’m not sure that I will ever know or even come to terms with the answer to that question. However, I do believe that somewhere along the way, I have learned from my mistakes. I continue to hope that by helping others to overcome their struggles, as they deal with what may have happened to them as children, that they will realize it was never their fault.
American psychologist, James Hillman, said: “It’s important to ask yourself, How am I useful to others? What do people want from me? That may very well reveal what you are here for.”
So, “Perhaps I had a wicked childhood” and “Perhaps I had a miserable youth.” I now truly believe that “… somewhere in my wicked miserable past, There must have been a moment of truth.”
My “Moment of truth” comes from accepting what was done to me and more importantly, how I let it affect the choices that I now make. It’s time for me to do “Something good.”
Release date for Songs from an Imperfect Life is Sunday, March 18th with an Author Talk and Book Singing at 2:00 p.m. at Parnassus Books 3900 Hillsboro Rd. Nashville
J. Ronald M. York, author of Kept in the Dark, is also an accomplished musician and founder of York & Friends Fine Art Gallery.
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