It was a busy weekend, in which I had considerable reason to think about the way people’s minds work.
I think we all have those times when we are bitter about something, and we’ve all hung on to things longer than we should have. Like, for example, I still get righteously angry when I think about that elderly guy in his yard who yelled at me and my friend N when we were about 14, walking by the pond (he accused us of being young punks who trespass and litter – technically we were trespassing but we used to pick up litter – and we felt he was the trespasser because there never used to be houses there at all! See??).
Anyway, I feel that we would all, every single one of us, benefit from following the advice of K’naan. This is a guy who grew up amid the violence of Mogadishu, Somalia. He moved to Rexdale (Toronto), Ontario, Canada as a young teenager, and I have no idea where he found the personal strength to wrest himself from the brink of gang life and become this wise poet.
K’naan is famous for his song Waving Flag, which was chosen as the FIFA World Cup theme this year, but the first song I ever heard of his was Fatima – a poignant song-story that you don’t forget once you’ve heard it.
For those who know little about K’naan, obviously you can go to Wikipedia, but Jian Ghomeshi (of course) recorded this amazing interview with him on Q (CBC). One cannot fail to be impressed.
i haven’t gone to the interview yet, but that is a sweet video 🙂
I’m so adding this to my playlist, what a beautiful song. And couldn’t have come at a better time. I haven’t spoken to my little sister in 3 very long months (not by any choice of mine) and saw her the other day. The kids and I are finally going to see her today…I’m just gonna take a minute and let it ride <3 I love this.
I’ve liked everything I’ve heard from K’naan, and that includes the Q broadcast and his interview on The Hour (although Strombo, engaging as he is, is certainly no Jian!). He’s just starting out, too…imagine what we’ll hear from him as his career unfolds!
Chris, I’m so glad. It’s so hard to get past the rifts that happen in our lives, but I’m sure you and your kids are going to be happy you did.
bd, I know! I’m excited. And I admit to having a soft spot for George, but Jian is THE MAN.