Have you ever found a song so perfect for yourself or someone that you can’t help but feel like it was created just for you?

When I was younger I remember hearing the song playing on my blog today. It’s by Cat Stevens. The song always caught my eye for one reason, the lyrics

But if you wanna leave, take good care
Hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there

Oh, baby, baby, it’s a wild world
It’s hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby, it’s a wild world
and I’ll always remember you like a child, girl

You know I’ve seen a lot of what the world can do
And it’s breakin’ my heart in two
Because I never wanna see you sad, girl
Don’t be a bad girl
But if you wanna leave, take good care
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there’s a lot of bad and beware

The song struck a cord in me because honestly when I was younger I was pretty fucking hot, and I knew it. I also knew that I could pretty much get my way with my smile. Don’t believe me, ask my algebra teacher in high school who let me audit the class the entire year and then gave me an A on my report card.

I’ve gotten out of a lot of speeding tickets with a smile. Even as recent as last June, when Ginger and I got pulled over going to Vegas, I put the smile on, and drove off with no tickets.

Anyway around the time I graduated or moved out I remember my mom giving me that CD. I knew what she was trying to tell me, and I understood it.  I kept my smile, because it is true to me, but I put away all the other things I was keeping up just for appearances.

I might also add in how much shit I got for owning and listening to a Cat Stevens CD (don’t even get me started on the hell I got for my Joe Cocker CD, seriously, if you say anything I will kick you in the shin)

About a month ago I was driving with my much younger cousin and the song came on. I was flabbergasted because at that exact moment we were talking about appearances, and how you present yourself. You see, for a while my little cousin took a wrong turn in life. She went through the skanky clothes phase and the emo phase and it just drove me bonkers. She is beautiful. She has a great personality, and if she applied herself she could have an amazing future. That day she showed up in a pair of normal boot cut jeans basic white converse a very cute little hoodie. I said to her, “do you realize how beautiful you look right now?” We kept talking about how sometimes being plain is the best. She mentioned Jennifer Aniston, and I said YES exactly like her. No matter what she stayed true to herself. You never see her prancing around in skinny jeans or whatever the current trend is. It’s boot cut jeans, a tank top and a cute flannel shirt. Then my cousin had a bit of an epiphany, every man in the world has a crush on Jennifer, and they have for years. And then she understood. With the exception of about 5 months in 8th grade I have never strayed from my basic style. Boot cut jeans, tanks, hoodies, sweaters, and basic shoes. In the summer, casual dresses, and cute fun summery shoes. None of that weird gladiator shit that people wear because People magazine said it was cool.

At the exact moment we were talking about all of this, the Cat Stevens song came on and I was just blown away. I turned it up, expecting her to make fun of me but surprisingly she liked it, a lot. She listened to the words and in those three minutes it clicked in her head how much more important it is to stick to your guns, be who you are and be happy no matter what.

I have to say, that since that day she has dressed so much different, she still wears skinny jeans sometimes but only on days she needs to wear her uggs and tuck them in. She wakes up early to do her hair rather then go to school with it all ratty. But most of all she just looks happy. Every day, since that drive with her I have thought of that song, and thought of how much it hit home with both of us. While I still like my smile I have been careful to stick to who I am like it or not. I plan to buy her this CD for her birthday, so just like me she can remember how important it is to listen to yourself and not a celebrity, or the kids at school in their little cliques.

I am sure the conversation would have ended the same no matter what, but I can’t help feeling like that perfect song came on at the perfect time for the perfect person.  I would like to hope that day helped her make the change, or it’s possible she did it herself.  Either way I am glad she woke up and saw the light.
 

This post may have ended up seeming irrelevant to a lot of you, but I’m willing to bet, on of you will listen to my song, read this blog, and understand just exactly what I’m saying.