Hello all. I salute you today and hope life is good for you and those you love.
As usual , I find myself inevitably nostalgic in these last hours that mark the dawn of a year that, in a way or another, has changed us, all of us; and despite my bohemian nature may push me into a lethargic state of mind, I wanted to share with you the white wave of optimism that fills my heart.
Time and circumstances morphed us like human clay into the creatures staring right back at us through a mirror. We live in a world that feels saturated, scrambled, abused and neglected in almost every possible way: there is so much noise.
Many of us have developed a blasé attitude towards everything: sometimes it feels like we have listened to every song, tasted every wine, and said every word; and so, we go on building our little fortresses of safety to help us endure the hardships of life.
But today, beyond the political, social and economic situations that affect us, beyond the roar of the world, our world, I was hoping my words would serve as a microscope to spy into my memories; a devise to reveal some of those wonderful and small things I feel so grateful for, and maybe even a via for some of you to reminisce about some of the things that make your life worth living and fighting for.
I come from a very humble and poor family. Many of my childhood memories speak of a man and a woman who gave everything to obtain for their two children the chance to be free in a world full of chains. My parents are one of the greatest blessings I have had: One of the many I am not sure I am worthy of, but just another reason that fuels my desire to triumph. I am so thankful for my parents.
I am thankful for being able to speak my mind, even when I say a silly joke, or when I really don’t think about what I say.
I am thankful for the moon, the silver dame queen of the night sky; she has been my companion and inspiration, and the night is not the same when she hides miles away from my eyes.
I am thankful for the wind that carries the voice of centuries and speaks to me about who I am and who I used to be, so that I can have the wisdom to become my own prophecy.
I am thankful for the road, for it taught me to walk: Set behind me to show me what I had accomplished and – every time I’ve had the valor to step further – laid before me showing me what I could do.
I am thankful for the mountains, for they showed me the beauty of a free soul and taught me the value of obstacles.
I am thankful for the water: She gave me life and taught me the code of the wolf, so that I could survive.
I am thankful for the pain and the grief, for it is only because of darkness that we can see the light. Every time I prevail, I am stronger and better in every way, becoming worthy of my path.
I am thankful for my friends. My companions, the owners of many of my secrets, my mirrors, my compass, my support; people who keep so many little pieces of my affection, so many of my smiles and cries; people who helped me fabricate memories and chuckles to keep in my heart, so that they would come forth in the moments I needed them the most. Some of them are lost miles and miles away; some became ghosts due to the relentless pace of time; some have fought beside me and helped me win numerous fights against the world’s negligence and against my own. Some have changed irrevocably for time and circumstances morph us like human clay; they have become one more stranger. For all of you, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my sister. You are probably the only person who understands me. You are my best friend. I am so thankful for you.
I am thankful for you, the owner of my heart, who filled my life with light. Even after the dawn of our union, there is not a day I am not thankful and happy about every single second I had the fortune to share with you. You changed my life. You helped me become better than I have ever been. Even now that you are away, so far away, you are still light, still love. I am so thankful for you.
I am so thankful for my voice and my guitar. I was born to seek freedom and sing and, for all I know, only when I raise my voice and play my guitar, then and only then, I am. Once a teacher told me that our voice is the ultimate element of dignity we posses as humans. The world may tie you down and rip you apart, but your words and your voice are YOURS: Indestructible and untouchable; free as long as you let them be free.
I am so lucky to be able to fight my fights with my words-swords and the songs-wings that music reveals to me. I have so many memories of people coming together to share, letting music be the perfect excuse to leave all of the weight of the world behind them and just be themselves and free, if for a moment. I am so thankful for all of those moments. I am so thankful for my voice and my guitar.
However, most of all, I am thankful for this instant. I am so happy that I can write these words and let them be my testament to the universe: I am alive! I will keep on fighting! I will spread my wings into the night and howl a chant of freedom for me and for all of us: My fist in the air and my song louder and higher riding the wind… I will not stop.
See you in the distance…
Thanks for reading all this, hope it can help you somehow, or it can make you smile =]
Leo