you gotta be

did you hear music when you logged onto my blog?

if not, turn your speakers on...there you go...now you hear it? that's a good ole 90's one hit wonder by des'ree called "you gotta be". it was the inspiration for the title of this blog...challenge what the future holds (it's the second line of the song).

this song was the song on the radio as i pulled out of the driveway headed to the big unknown of freshmen year at iup. this song would be on the radio as i sat in my dorm room 4 hours away from home missing my family and friends when things weren't going well at school. it would start playing as i drove in the car on the way home for a weekend...and without fail, i'd hear it again on my return trip back to school. it helped me through breakups, bad grades, trouble with my family and the loss of loved ones...all the while teaching me that love (love for not just others, but myself) will save the day.

i will admit that the first few times i heard it, i didn't really listen to the words...but once i finally did, i realized this song was all but written for me! these words/this song have gotten me through a lot over the past 9 years and i can't help but shake the feeling it will help me through yet another tough time.

for those not familiar with the song...here are the words.

des'ree
you gotta be

listen as your day unfolds
challenge what the future holds
try and keep your head up to the sky

lovers, they may cause you tears
go ahead release your fears
stahd up and be counted
don't be ashamed to cry

you gotta be, you gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all i know, all i know, love will save the day

herald what you mother said
read the books your father read
try to solve the puzzle in your own sweet time
some may have more cash than you
others take a different view
my oh my, hey...

you gotta be, you gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all i know, all i know, love will save the day

time asks no questions, it goes on without you
leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
the world keeps on spinning
can't stop it if you try to
this time it's danger staring you in the face
oh oh oh

remember listen as your day unfolds
challenge what the future holds
try and keep you head up to the sky

lovers, they may cause you tears
go ahead release your fears
stahd up and be counted
don't be ashamed to cry

you gotta be, you gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all i know, all i know, love will save the day