Why Consider More Than OK?

I enjoy listening to all kinds of music. There is power in the music itself and also power in thinking through the lyrics. In my previous teaching of a college success course I tried to use songs to have students think of building success in life. One semester I had a student bring me a CD of the band Switchfoot and said, “Sir, you have to listen to this band. Their song “More Than Fine” I felt had some important thoughts to ponder about life and how to live to the fullest. Click on the highlighted title to hear the video of the band and then reflect over the lyrics below.

More Than Fine by Switchfoot
When I wake in the morning, I want to blow into pieces. I want more than just ok, more than just ok.When I’m up with the sunrise I want more than just blue skies.I want more than just ok, more than just ok.I’m not giving up, giving up, not giving up now. I’m not giving up, giving up, not backing down.More than fine, more than bent on getting by. More than fine, more than just ok.When I’m wet with the sunshine. I want more than just a good time. I want more than just ok, more than just ok.I’m not giving up, giving up, not giving up now. I’m not giving up, giving up, not selling out.More than fine, more than bent on getting by. More than fine, more than just ok.More than fine, more than bent on getting by. More than fine, more than just ok.More than oceans away from the dawn. More than oceans away from the dawn.More than oceans away from who we are More than oceans, more than oceans, yeah.More than fine, more than bent on getting by. More than fine, more than just ok.More than fine, more than bent on getting by. More than fine, more than just ok.

The lyrics point out to me an exciting way to look at life. It challenges me to consider what am I putting into my life to enjoy a better life for myself and my family. Living with expanded possibilities for the potential we have is like looking out at the vastness of the ocean. If you have been to any large body of water you can picture what the song is saying “more than oceans away from who we are…”. I remember gazing off into the Pacific Ocean going on forever; so can be our impact in the world if we are open to living more than ok.

Not settling for the mundane of getting by, but blasting off beyond the blue skies. How many of us blast out of bed in the morning looking at the opportunities we have to serve and grow. Instead we cover our heads and hit the snooze button hoping the day disappears. How many of us give up on our dreams or are not open to new dreams for our lives? We settle for what we begin to think is fine when there is so much more potential out in the vastness of the ocean of life for better present situations and futures. My desire with this blog is to send out ideas and thoughts to make myself and those who stop by to read, move beyond the boredom of ok and getting by-- to blasting out in the possibilities of life. Don’t give up or back down in your life!