Bring Me Back to Life.

Wake-Up Call #30

January, 2003.

I’m 14-months into running a yoga studio in Hells Kitchen, NY.

Basically living there. Teaching. Leading. Dreaming. Plotting. Plotzing. Fixing locks and cleaning toilets. Wondering if we’ll survive another year, or crash and burn.

I grew up in a home where the soundtrack was 70s folk and R&B. Hearing Dylan’s “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) in my early teens, one line, capping the second verse, stayed with me, and became legend.

"He Not Busy Being Born Is Busy Dying"

In a weird way, it’s become a bit of a mantra for the way I live my life.

There is no sideways.

So, here I am, decades later, sweeping the floor in the studio to prep it for the festival of sweat, breath and movement that is about to descend. The stereo, my one splurge, is turned to 11. Not very yoga-like, but, especially back then, neither am I. More rebel than disciple.

A haunting voice pours out. Amy Lee, the lead singer of the band, Evanescence, leads me into the opening bars of “Bring Me to Life,” a song from their debut album, Fallen, that would soon become a massive hit in the wake of it’s feature in the film Daredevil.

I’m transfixed. Not just by Lee’s stunning vocals and the raw power of the song, but by it’s plea.

Wake me up
Wake me up inside
I can't wake up
Wake me up inside
Save me
Call my name and save me from the dark
Wake me up
Bid my blood to run
I can't wake up
Before I come undone
Save me
Save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real (Make me real)
Bring me to life

For your listening/viewing enjoyment, here’s the live version:

This song, and the lyrics, have been on my mind, and in my heart again.

A powerful reminder that not only are we empowered to get busy being born, again and again, and again, in the form of whatever makes us come alive. But, also, that we don’t ever travel, or rise, or come back to life alone.

It’s okay to accept that, sometimes, we need someone else to help us find our way out of the dark. Or, even just the fog. To take the first step, let alone even know one exists. And, to ask for and accept help as we work to bring ourselves back to life.

If there’s something inside you that’s feeling flat, numb, or disconnected, yearning to cross into the “being born” side of Dylan’s spectrum, and you don’t know where to begin, let go of any notion that you have to navigate the path alone.

Asking for, then accepting help is not weakness, it is the pinnacle of bravery. Strength. Along with it being a passage back to awakening. Or, even just feeling a little bit more okay.

There’s little that’s more powerful than the act of getting busy living together.

With a whole lotta love & gratitude,

Jonathan

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Wake-Up Call #30 | Let someone in.

It’s been a time of great internal groundlessness for many.

If you’d love to feel differently than you’ve been feeling, more alive, less alone, more energized and less depleted, take a beat to consider who you might share what you’re feeling with.

A friend, family member, congregant or community member, therapist, leader, mentor, coach, neighbor, mental health professional or anyone else you feel connected to. And, if no one comes to mind, explore how you might find ways to bring these people, groups, pets even, into your world, or bring yourself into theirs. So, you have them to turn to, to share with, to help when you need it, to come back to life.

And, if you know someone who needs to hear this right now, share this wake-up call with them, and, if you’re able, your willingness to help be one of those people for them.

As always, noodle on it, walk with it, write about it, reach out to those who can help you navigate whatever you’re feeling. And, if you’re inclined, share in the comments.