any poets, philosophers, and regular folks have tried to point out the importance of being alert and enjoying the little pleasures in life. One of my favorite examples of this is the line from “The Color Purple” from which the movie gets its name. Two girls are walking through a field. The tall grass is brushing against their legs as they navigate through the weeds. Then one girl stops to look at a small purple wildflower. She says something like, “I think God gets really mad when we don’t notice the color purple.”
When we moved to Lynchburg, we began to take in some of the local flavor and quickly came to appreciate the small city. We found seemingly hidden gems tucked here and there throughout the city of Lynchburg. The gems came to characterize the city in our minds. Places such as the White Hart cafe that I’ve spoken of here on this blog, and places such as Daddy Bim’s Pit Barbeque formed my image of the city.
We now live in Front Royal and are beginning to find the same hidden treasures. Not really hidden; but hidden if you pay attention to the big city (Washington, DC) and don’t stop to notice the little splotches of the color purple scattered all around—little pockets of excellence that may frankly be found anywhere, if only we take the time to look.
I was reminded of this just today when I found a video of one of my favorite musical groups. This group isn’t well-known. And they aren’t rich and famous. But they are one of the best vocal ensembles I have ever heard.
But you won’t find them if you’re not looking.
If you happen to be in the right place (Disneyworld’s MGM Studios in Orlando Florida) at the right time (just prior to the presentation of Beauty and the Beast Live), you may notice a stage hand walking across the stage checking microphones. He looks the part—kind of geeky, looking a bit socially inept, and probably making a modest, if not poor, income for his age. If you pay attention to this geeky stage hand he will introduce you to his three friends—all dressed in MGM Studios staff uniforms. And then you will be in for the impromptu concert of your life.
You’ve just found the color purple in a quiet corner lot in one of the most bustling and talent-filled places you could ever visit. And you’re about to hear musical magic. Here’s Return 2 Zero:
Check out the great analysis of the words of this song at Lydia’s Extra Thoughts.
Wow, now I'm a fan of "Go the Distance." I'm so out of it culturally that I'd never heard it before now. Working on a post using the full version sung by Michael Bolton. Will give hat tip.
ReplyDeleteLovely sound those Return 2 Zero guys have.
It's good to hear from you, Lydia. I hope you're doing well.
ReplyDelete"Go the Distance" is one of the songs from my favorite Disney animated movie: Hercules. The music from that movie is top-notch and I love the moral themes in the movie--even though they present the ancient Greek theology of multiple capricious gods. Still a great movie.
I have a mild curiosity about how far the movie diverges from the myth. In the myth, Hercules burned to death when he put on a shirt of fire (I assume he didn't know it was a shirt of fire) made by his jealous wife. Kind of weird and not, I would think, a very enjoyable ending for a movie. So they must have changed that part.
ReplyDeleteI've put up a whole post about the song at my blog. Theological reflections and all, and a hat-tip to you.
We're all doing well. Beautiful September weather and a new school year starting.
The movie does not really follow the myth very much at all. Hercules is the offspring of Zeus and is half-human. I think that's about the only thing the comes close to the myth. In the movie he meets a human girl and falls in love and after Hercules saves the world the gods welcome her to Mt. Olympus to live among the gods.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out your post right now. Thanks for the HT.
We're loving the cooler, almost fall temperatures and clear blue skies as well. David has just begun his first year of high school - so it is a time of great transitions.