Happy St. Patrick’s Day!🍀

On St. Patrick’s Day, I enjoy thinking about the first trip I took to the country of my ancestors. 💚 (If you’d like to read about my first trip to Ireland, you can do so here.) It was an extremely emotional and amazing experience visiting the land of my ancestors. I am grateful I was able to go on that trip. 💚

It is important to spend some time thinking about all of the challenges our ancestors overcame in order for us to be where we are today.

It is helpful to remember that our ancestors overcame challenges when we are trying to get through a challenge ourselves.

When you are experiencing a challenge, is there a particular song that you like to listen to?

A song that always helps me get through difficulties is Sheryl Crow’s “Diamond Road.”

Lyrics:

Walk with me the diamond road
Tell me every story told
Give me something of your soul
That I can hold onto
I want to wake up to the sound of waves
Crashing on a brand new day
Keep the memory of your face
But wipe the pain away

When you’re lonely (you’re not alone)
When you’re heart aches (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
Yeah, it’s gonna take a little time
When the night falls (you’re not alone)
When you’re stumbling (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side

So don’t miss the diamonds along the way
Cause every road has led us here today

Little bird, what’s troubling you
You know what you have to do
Cause what is yours you’ll never lose
And what’s ahead may shine
Beneath the promise of blue skies
With broken wings we’ll learn to fly
Pull yourself out of the tide
And begin the dream again

When you’re lonely (you’re not alone)
When you’re heart aches (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side
When the night falls (you’re not alone)
When you’re stumbling (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side

So don’t miss the diamonds along the way
Every road has led us here today

Won’t you shine on
Morning light
Burn the darkness away

Walk with me the Diamond Road
Tell me everything is gold
Give me something of your soul
So you don’t fade away

When you’re lonely (you’re not alone)
When you’re heart aches (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side
When the night falls (you’re not alone)
When you’re stumbling (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side

When you’re lonely (in every love song) (you’re not alone)
When you’re heart aches (in every sunrise) (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time (I will remember you)
To make it to the other side (I will remember you)
When the night falls (in every sunset) (you’re not alone)
When you’re stumbling (whenever you call me) (on Diamond Road)
It’s gonna take a little time (I will remember you)
Everything will be just fine

So don’t miss the diamonds along the way
Every road has led us here today
Life is what happens while you’re making plans
All that you need is right here in your hands

The photo I included here is from my trip to Tokyo Wan Kannon. It was quite a hike from the train station to Tokyo Wan Kannon, and this was a sign along the road cautioning an incline and winding roads ahead. It was QUITE the incline! Let me tell you! 😉 However, once I got to Tokyo Wan Kannon, it made the challenging journey worth it. ❤️

When I am experiencing a challenge, I like to play “Diamond Road” on my acoustic guitar and sing the song. My cover of Sheryl Crow’s song is much slower and softer. My favorite part of the song is the following:

With broken wings we’ll learn to fly
Pull yourself out of the tide
And begin the dream again

What do you think of the song? Which part do you like the best?

Despite the pain we may be experiencing, it is important to remember the power that we have in our lives over the things that we can control.

May you have the strength to get through any challenges you are currently facing.💜