Rihanna
When times of distress come, what’s really important to us begins to surface. In this week’s song choice, Umbrella by Rihanna, a storm is about to hit and the offer is made between lovers to share the protection of an umbrella.
Although there have been many interpretations regarding the meaning of this song, it seems to me there is a clear application in terms of our well-being. The choices we make regarding our priorities will have a significant impact on our experience of life when we face times of challenge: We don't see the shininess of a car in the dark!
In life, and in particular in the western world, we have a tendency to gather possessions. But ultimately, what good do they do? As I look around my own home, it is over full with possessions which are nice, and sometimes even useful, but in the final analysis are not that important. Yet how much of my time is spent either gaining the money to purchase items or expending effort to protect them?
Yet there are things, or rather people, around me who do bring more sustained meaning. The song speaks of sharing, and it is ultimately our family and friends who share our joys and burdens. Yet they are also the ones who often suffer from our lifestyle choices which are all too frequently informed by a desire to gain more possessions for ourselves.
So, the song proposes we are left with a choice. Do we choose fancy things or people? The song is clear, what really counts is people. When the world seems to overcome us, it's those that care about us who'll still be there. Love and relationships make a real difference to the quality of our life experience. And perhaps this leads us to the importance of re-evaluating and realigning our life priorities.
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