The Future's So Bright . . . Are You Insane Like Me?
Early in my career, I was an insurance agent. To say I was a fish out of the barnyard would be an understatement. I completed all of my training and licensing ahead of schedule. I was one of the sharpest agents on product knowledge. Guys with 15 years of experience would ask me technical questions. And I knew it cold. But I couldn't prospect worth a damn. I was not cut out for sales.
Bob was in his late 60s, a veteran agent -- oozing personality, full of extrovert energy and life. He often danced into the office singing in a loud voice, wearing cool sunglasses -- fashion 40 years too young for him. His favorite song was "The Future's So Bright," by Timbuk 3. And we heard it often, accompanied by dance moves.
We young guys in the office would look at him like he was insane. But he was alive. More alive than any of us.
Bob died of brain cancer a few years later. It didn't seem right.
I long ago moved on from being a young, modestly successful insurance agent. But I never moved on from Bob. I think of him often, as I move through an eclectic mix of music. I regularly bounce between Dua Lipa, Halsey, John Denver, Bach, Elton John, Alanis Morissette, Cheryl Crow, the latest TikTok sensation, classic rock and Top 40. I think about the life and energy Bob exuded when he engaged emotionally and physically in music "way too young for him." Now I do it, too.
While making dinner tonight, I blasted Halsey's "Gasoline" loudly from Alexa:
"Are you insane like me?
Been in pain like me?
Bought a hundred dollar bottle of champagne like me?
Just to pour that motherfucker down the drain like me?
Would you use your water bill to dry the stain like me?
Are you high enough without the Mary Jane like me?
Do you tear yourself apart to entertain like me?
Do the people whisper 'bout you on the train like me?
Saying that you shouldn't waste your pretty face like me?
And all the people say
You can't wake up, this is not a dream
You're part of a machine, you are not a human being
With your face all made up, living on a screen
Low on self-esteem, so you run on gasoline
I think there's a flaw in my code
(Oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh, oh)
These voices won't leave me alone
Well, my heart is gold and my hands are cold
Are you deranged like me?
Are you strange like me?
Lighting matches just to swallow up the flame like me?
Do you call yourself a fucking hurricane like me?
Pointing fingers 'cause you'll never take the blame like me?
And all the people say
You can't wake up, this is not a dream
You're part of a machine, you are not a human being
With your face all made up, living on a screen
Low on self-esteem, so you run on gasoline
I think there's a flaw in my code
(Oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh, oh)
These voices won't leave me alone
Well, my heart is gold and my hands are cold."
(https://youtu.be/BE5x_jQq9A4)
I'd like to think I've captured a bit of Bob and made part of him part of me. If I die in a couple of years, I'll die alive. Like Bob.
Are you living? Is your future so bright you've got to wear shades? Are you insane like me?
I hope so!
We all deserve to be alive and thriving. That's what the Personal Revolution Program is all about!