Bono talks with Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens and his wife, Backstage at the Echo Awards 2007 at the Palais am Funkturm Berlin, Germany - 25 March 2007 Credit:WENN
Last week, Bono was on The Late Show and told Stephen Colbert that in one week in 1976 he met his bandmates and his wife. In the same week! What better reminder that everything can change in an instant. The same holds true for heartbreak. In an instant I have lost loved ones to bike accidents and heart attacks. Even more reason to make this week count.
I have used up a lot of years, and I have no musical talent. So, I could meet just about anyone this week and still not become an epic rock star and philanthropist. Even so, I’m keeping my eyes open for new and interesting people to know and new and fantastic things to do. This could be the week.
Crazy? Because today it feels like the world is about to spin off its axis! Angry people everywhere, and “existential threat” is in every news story. I will try not to spend energy on things that don’t matter or with people on a dark path. And I won’t miss the chance to vote.
I could go on, bla, bla, but will never come up with a better way to say it than Cat Stevens in the second stanza of Oh Very Young:
Oh very young what will you leave us this time
There'll never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you, will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still
Could it be that every week is spectacular, and we only notice from time to time? Thank you Bono and Cat Stevens for reminding us to pay attention.