Beatlemania at its Finest !?

Truly something incredible about the Beatles is not only their lyrics, musics, or interesting ensemble of musicians. One inescapable fact about the Beatles is their phenemonial success as a band. They  are listed in Rolling Stones' magazine as the #1 greatest band of all time. This is no small feat.  An enigmatic question is Why? Why were the Beatles such a great success? They are forever written in the book of time and have been a sensation for decades. I do not envision that changing, either. Was it the marketing strategies that made the Beatles flourish? Perhaps it was the time that they arived to the scene?  During these pivotal times of social unrest due to the Vietnam War and the civil movements, The Beatles had a message about peace and opening one's mind to new ways of thinking. For example, in the song entitled "Revolution 1", it says " You say you'll change the constitution, well, you know, we all want to change your head, You tell me it's the institution, well, you know, you better free your mind instead".

People were just beginning to move past the horrors of the Vietnam. This was a time of great social revolution, and the Beatles arrived at the scene just in time to soothe the wounds of social heartache. The Beatles creative spark left a wave of impact throughout the western world, and western consciousness. They had a message of peace and love, and that was exactly what the world needed at the time. Today, the youth perhaps look towards the Beatles as a reassurance that there was once a time, a place, a moment in history, where peace, hope and love dwelled.

The Beatles appeared to be the Be all, end all, of music according to young listeners. I didn't really know anything about music other than the Beatles. I was not drawn to the Beatles for their music alone, but more so about the culture that their music brought forth. The Beatles were not solely music. But they were, in fact, a huge entity describing the times and events unfolding. The Beatles, in my young mind, would last forever. The Beatles were my Reality, both culturally and musically.

I remember growing up and witnessing the crazy hysteria that the television stations promoted surrounding the Beatles concert. We all bought into this hysteria. Girls were screaming and weeping at the knowledge that the Beatles were playing the Cow Palace nearby.  I would have down anything to be able to attend this concert. However, my mother nixed the idea as I was too young. My sister who was five years older than I was allowed to attend, which I found to be so grossly unfair. My parents did not allow me to see the Beatles concert and that was an offense larger than any. I stayed home that night and cried myself to sleep.

Another memory I have from my adolecense is regarding the controversy that John Lennon found himself entwined in. John Lennon made a remark that said "We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first, rock 'n' roll or Christianity." I wasn't really offended by his comment at the time, thinking "it is no big deal".  I thought his comment was interesting, but I hadn't really thought of christianity and myself being attached at all. Not until many years later had i thought that perhaps his wording was incorrect. Now, as an adult, I realize that his comments were extremely outlandish. As a Christian, I understand now why it caused the controversy that it did.  In spite of the controversies, populations still adore the Beatles. Through good times and bad, the Beatles left a profound legacy that most appreciate to this day.

A Hui Hou and with my warmest Aloha,
Tara

If I Coulda Woulda Shoulda by Lou Rawls

Lou Rawls- If I Coulda Woulda Shoulda 

(http://youtu.be/uxSCsldCHhk )

I could have been a little more understanding 
and i'd still be loving you right now

I should have been smarter 
I could have used my head
and we would still be together some how

if i coulda woulda shoulda 
that's what folks always say

if i coulda woulda shoulda
but it's always too late
i'm saying it now

if i would have stopped it before 
it all got started out
i wouldn't be so sad and lonely without you

I wish there was a way 
to turn back the hands of time
I'd do it different if i had to do it all over again

if i woulda coulda shoulda
that's what folks always say

it's always too late
i'm saying it now

you know, i'm gonna profit from all my mistrakes
i'll never do the same thing, the same way, all over again

I could have been a little more understanding 

and i'd still be loving you right now

I should have been smarter 

I could have used my head

and we would still be together some how

if i coulda woulda shoulda 

that's what folks always say

if i coulda woulda shoulda

but it's always too late

i'm saying it now

Do you live a life filled with Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda's? Do you like living life on the edge, or flying by the seat of your pants? Do you like pushing the limits, flirting with danger, or the excitement of living life a little recklessly? When was the last time you threw all caution to the wind and lived life with full abandon?

People say this very often, If i would have done this...or If could have done that...then they would have a more positive, a more preferable, outcome. Yet, to say woulda coulda shoulda, has no meaning because you can not go back. You can not rewrite past decisions whether good or bad. To second guess past decisions you have made in your life can leave you riding a rough wave of discontent.

What can we do to make sure we do not fall into the trap of regret?  Do not be too hard and fast about the rules of the game. Let not the rules bind you from the satisfaction of fulfilling your dreams. Let not there be fear but instead let there be an open heart filled with joy and acceptance for all.  Follow your heart, speak your truth often, and be sure to follow your dreams not your fears. Regret is living in the shadows of the past. Don't woulda coulda shoulda your life away. Rather live life to the fullest by way of making definitive choices.

The song by Lou Rawls is saying that it is never too late to move forward in the direction of your dream. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. It is folly to merely wait around and see what happens. There are many people who merely wait for life to make decisions for them rather than carving their own path. Wouldn't it be great to know that you did what you wanted to do no matter the outcome? Regardless of the outcome, these are choices that you made and are standing by them. The most important things is that you Chose. When you chose, there is no room for regret.

A Hui Hou Kakou (until we meet again) :)
Tara

What it is to be a Woman

To be a woman might be considered by some to be either a blessing or a curse. The feminine in daily life is often forgotten or left behind in the modern pace of our world. Did you know that the civilizations of old were often matriarchal societies?  These societies placed woman in positions of power and often held them in high regard. In contrast, there have also been societies that have thought of woman as lesser beings. Examples that highlight the often harsh realities that being born a woman can be are seen both in the past and the present. 

One example of woman being considered 'less than' can be viewed through the life of Anne Boleyn, Queen of England from 1533- 1536, and second wife of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn, albeit she may have been in the highest position as wife of the King, she all the same was not able to protect herself from the dire and painful demise that the King ordered to her. The will of the King for her execution was supported by mass public favor.  Henry VIII grew increasing infuriated when the Queen produced no male heir to follow in his footsteps. Equipped with minimal and false evidence, Henry VIII ordered for the execution of Anne Boleyn on the basis of sexual misconduct and treason. Henry VIII would go on to have his long sought male heir with his next wife Jane Seymour, who he would consider as his "true" wife. The legacy of Anne Boleyn will live on as a true story of a female who did her all for her husband, and yet was not appreciated due to her inability to provide a male heir. 

A current example of another travesty that has affected woman can be witnessed through the One-Child Policy that China has long imposed. The enforced policy that Chinese couples are to only have one child often leaves families with much greater favor for their male children. Through this one-child policy, female infants have experienced greater degrees of abandonment and neglect. This brings into question why does our society prefer males so much more  than females? Are not woman, too, capable? 

Woman are strong enough to give birth and strong enough to rule nations. Being a woman exceeds a mere biological reality. Being a woman connects us with something much deeper than ourselves. Being a woman connects us with the history of all woman. Women were once warriors, and medicine women, and wise women. Women were healers and priestesses, goddesses, and mothers. They were counselors and sages. The rights of woman have never been so great as they are today. Most notably we see female presidents becoming a modern trend. For the future, I hope for a new way of thinking regarding the value of women. God made woman to be so intelligent and so capable and yet woman have been down-trodden throughout time. My vision for a world that honors women begins with honoring all people first.  This can also be applied to people with disabilities and those with other forms of affliction. They, too, have rights and deserve respect. Whether you are female or male, we all deserve to be treated fairly.