You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find...
You get what you need...
Lyrics from "You Can't Always Get What You Want, by Rolling Stones
LIVIN' LOVIN' LIFE (LLL) - Even When You Don't Get What You Want:
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is my family theme song. I would sing it to Austin when he was pouting about something he wanted, but couldn't have. When my other two boys are begging for the next best "but everybody else has it" item I look at them and sing, "You can't always get what you want. You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need...." To which they respond, with minor irritation in their voices, "Ugh.... Mommm, would you stop!"
I am guilty of needing this song sung to myself, especially when I'm pouting because my plans aren't working they way I had "planned". This was definately the case a few weeks ago. Kenny Chesney was playing at the stadium in town. Billy Currington and Zac Brown Band were the opening acts. We had amazing seats and the original forecast called for warm weather and sun. Mike and I hadn't done very much as a couple in the past couple months, so I was looking forward to spending a relaxing evening with him, while soaking in some great music. To make things even better, all three bands sing songs that remind me of Austin....
I couldn't wait to hear Billy Currington sing "God is Great, Beer is Good, People are Crazy". I can hear Austin laughing the first time it came on the radio when we were together. From that time on, every time I hear that song I always think of Austin. My smile gets bigger when I think of the story the song is telling - I can just picture Austin being the guy singing...
This old man and me, were at the bar and we
Were having us some beers and swapping I don't cares
Talking politics, blond and red-head chicks
Old dogs and new tricks and habits we ain't kicked
We talked about Gods grace and all the hell we raised
Then I heard the ol' man say;
God is great, beer is good and people are crazy...
Last call its 2am, I said goodbye to him
I never talk to him again
Then one sunny day, I saw the old mans face
Front page Obituary, he was a millionaire
He left his fortune to some guy he barely knew,
His kids were mad as hell
But me, I'm doing well
And I dropped by today, to just say thanks and pray,
I left a six-pack right there on his grave and i said;
God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy...
Austin had that way with people, they warmed up to him instantly. So why wouldn't a stranger leave his fortune to him. I was looking forward to listening to Billy Currington sing this song and feel as though Austin was with us, because he would be in spirit. In addition, the DVD I made in memory of Austin contains songs from both Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney. So needless to say, between "God is Great, Beer is Good, People are Crazy" and all of the other songs, I couldn't wait for the evening to begin, which did, but not according to my plans.
Hurricane Irene was heading our way, with anticipated arrival time being the following morning. Preceding Irene was rain - lots of it - and it began before the concert did. No problem, I grabbed Austin's rain jacket and was ready for a wet evening. I wasn't going to let a little water ruin my night out. I would just make it better by bringing a little more of Austin with me, via his raincoat.
The concert started at 5:00pm. Billy Currington came on, followed by Zac Brown. We arrived at the concert at 7:40pm, missing all of Billy and catching the last 4 songs of Zac Brown. I won't go into details as to why we were so late, but let me just say I was not a happy camper. I was ticked. I stood with the rest of the crowd listening to Zac Brown, mad, grumbling and not enjoying myself. My plans had been ruined.
As I stood there pouting a conversation began in my head. I said to myself, "So, because you're mad that you missed the first half of the concert you're going to sit here, be miserable and not enjoy any of the concert, not even the part you made it to? Come on, now you're being just plain stupid. Knock it off and enjoy the rest of the evening!" It took a few songs, but by the time Kenny Chesney came on stage I was having a good time.... And the rain stopped! This was the last concert of Kenny's tour so he he was having a little extra fun. After Kenny played his set, which was amazing, he brought Zac Brown back on stage and they jammed for another hour. How awesome was that! And to think I was going to let the fact that the evening hadn't started the way I had planned ruin the rest of the night.
Austin was with me in spirit that night, not only with the songs, but with the adjustment of my attitude. Many times, as a child, when Austin wasn't getting his way he'd pout for a bit then be off doing something else, making the best of what he had and enjoying it. I remember, more times than once, when I'd grounded Austin from an activity or priveledge I knew he liked. His response would be, "That's OK. I didn't want to do that anyway." And then off he'd go, having fun doing something else.
How often have I not enjoyed what I'm doing because I have a pouty attitude for not getting my way? What have I missed out on because, rather than being present in what I am doing, even if it's not my first choice, I allow a crummy, pisspot attitude to take over? Unfortunately, it's more times than I want to admit.
As the song says....
You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you might find... You get what you need... And sometimes, many times, you may already have what you need... all you need to do is change your attitude.
That was Austin....
Always finding what he needed to live life and enjoy it with his uncanny ability of
Livin' Lovin' Life... no matter what!
