Lovely Lyrics: The Next Right Thing

Nineteen years ago, my brother and I went on an eight-day rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with our parents. Each day, there would be a stop where we would hike and on one particular day, we stopped at a spot where there wasn't much of a trail to speak of. My brother was, and is, a very experienced hiker, and at that point, when he was 17, had already hiked down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out again on several occasions.

I wasn't an experienced hiker and I was kind of scared about the climb ahead of us because it wasn't obvious to me how we were going to get to the top. I was convinced I couldn't do it. He held my hand and said, "You don't have know EVERY step you need to take; you just need to know the NEXT step you need to take. One step at a time is how you're going to do it."

Did I mention he was 17 at the time? Wise beyond his years. That advice has helped me on countless other occasions where I've been afraid because I don't have everything figured out. I think back to that day and to his words and I focus on what my next step is. And then the next. And the next. One at a time.

Just writing this takes me back to that trip and those eight days I had him to myself. There's a ten-and-a-half year age difference between us and the time we spent together then is absolutely priceless to me!

The Next Right Thing

from Frozen II

I've seen dark before

But not like this

This is cold

This is empty

This is numb

The life I knew is over

The lights are out

Hello, darkness,

I'm ready to succumb

I follow you around

I always have

But you've gone to a place I cannot find

This grief has a gravity

It pulls me down

But a tiny voice whispers in my mind

You are lost, hope is gone

But you must go on

And do the next right thing

Can there be a day beyond this night?

I don't know anymore what is true

I can't find my direction

I'm all alone

The only star that guided me was you

How to rise from the floor

When it's not you I'm rising for?

Just do the next right thing

Take a step

Step again

It is all that I can to do

The next right thing

I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take

But break it down to this next breath

This next step

This next choice

Is one that I can make

So I'll walk through this night

Stumbling blindly toward the light

And do the next right thing

And with the dawn, what comes then?

When it's clear that everything

Will never be the same again

Then I'll make the choice

To hear that voice

And do the next right thing

Music and Lyrics by

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Obviously some of the lyrics are specific to the film, with the song being used to move the story forward, but the idea of taking things one step at a time is applicable to us all! It's so easy to get overwhelmed with our never-ending to-do lists and all of the demands on our times, but if we just worry about the next thing instead of all of the things, perhaps everything will seem more manageable! I try to keep this message in mind when I'm feeling like I have so many things to so and not enough hours in the day:

I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take

But break it down to this next breath

This next step

This next choice

Is one that I can make

Side note…if you're a fan of the movie and you have Disney+, I highly recommend the six-episode series Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II. It is a behind-the-scenes look at what went into creating the movie and it's fascinating!

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: On The Front Porch

If you know me, you know how much I love Disney music.

I got this a few months ago...
so perfect! 

I watched a documentary about the Sherman Brothers on Disney+ today and I really can't believe I hadn't seen it before. It was enlightening and solemn and wonderful all at once. These brothers were an incredible songwriting team and are responsible for some of the most memorable Disney songs of all time, from the Mary Poppins soundtrack to other movie songs like "Winnie the Pooh." They also wrote some of the best songs you hear in the Disney Parks, such as "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room," "It's a Small World," "One Little Spark," and "Makin' Memories." I can't even wrap my brain around their genius.

The Sherman Brothers are Disney Legends, both literally and figuratively.

When they worked for Disney, they would go to Walt's office on Friday afternoons and play "Feed the Birds" for him (side note: I'm watching another Disney+ show, "Prop Culture," and learned that apparently to this day, Richard Sherman is the only person allowed to play the piano in Walt's office). Amazing.

When asked if they had a favorite song they'd written, this is the one they talked about. I was surprised to hear this, because it's been a song I've loved for many years, even though I'm fairly certain I've never seen the movie it's from (and if I have, it was eons ago because I remember nothing about it!)! The song was part of a collection of Disney music (maybe a box set of CDs) and when I first heard it, I just loved it...so sweet, so simple.  And given how many spectacular songs they wrote, learning that this is their favorite made me want to share it.

On The Front Porch

from Summer Magic

Three creaky wooden stairs

Those squeaky rocking chairs

The well-worn welcome mat

The lattice vines, the happy times

All I wanna do when the day is through

Is linger here on the front porch with you

From the wicker swing, while the night birds sing

We'll watch the fireflies sparkin', do some sparkin', too

How the hours fly, as the moon drifts by

How sweet the air as we stare at the sun

Oh, how I'd love to linger here like this,

Hold your hand and steal a kiss or two

On the front porch with you

All I wanna do when the day is through

Is linger here on the front porch with you

From the wicker swing, while the night birds sing

We'll watch the fireflies sparkin', do some sparkin', too

How the hours fly, as the moon drifts by

How sweet the air, as we stare at the sun

Oh, how I love to linger here like this

Hold your hand and steal a kiss or two

On the front porch with you

Music and Lyrics by

Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman

a must-watch for any Disney fan

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: Rainbow Connection

I love rainbows.

I've got them all over my house and all over my office because colorful rainbows bring me joy.

The idea of the Rainbow Bridge brings me comfort because I can think of no happier thought than the dream that one day I'll be reunited with my beloved dogs.

I've loved this song for as long as I can remember and although I shared this pic in my post yesterday, these ears are a perfect match for these words!

Rainbow Connection

from The Muppet Movie

Why are there so many
songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?

Rainbows are visions
but only illusions
and rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some
choose to believe it
but I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it,
the Rainbow Connection…
the lovers, the dreamers, and me

Who said that every wish
would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?

Somebody thought of that
and someone believed it
Look what it's done so far

What's so amazing
what keeps us stargazing
and what do we think we might see?

Someday we'll find it,
the Rainbow Connection…
the lovers, the dreamers, and me

All of us under its spell…
we know that it's probably magic

Have you been fast asleep
and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name

Is this the sweet sound
that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same

I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it,
the Rainbow Connection...
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

Music & Lyrics by

Paul Williams

and

Kenneth Ascher

our new doormat for our deck door!

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: We Belong Together

I was outside with Ginny today and tried to get a picture of her sitting on the grass. I was not unsuccessful. Apparently, she was just not in the mood today.

I was deleting all the failed attempts a little while later and and when I saw this, I had to laugh because it pretty much sums our interactions today.

Me: Sit!
Ginny:            

I was debating between a few different songs for Music Monday, but me begging Ginny to pose for photos today made this the clear-cut winner for today! And since the song is from Toy Story 3, I thought I'd include some of my favorite Slinky pictures from around the Disney Parks and Cruise Line!

We Belong Together

from Toy Story 3

Don't you turn your back on me

Don't you walk away

Don't you tell me that I don't care

'Cause I do!

Don't you tell me I'm not the one

Don't you tell me I ain't no fun

Just tell me you love me like I love you

You know you do

When we're together

Gray skies clear up

And I cheer up

To where I'm less depressed

And sincerely

From the bottom of my heart

I just can't take it

When we're apart

We belong together

We belong together

Yes we do

You'll be mine forever

We belong together

We belong together

You know it's true

Gonna stay this way forever

Me and you

If I could really talk to you

If I could find a way

I'm not shy

There's a whole lot I wanna to say

Of course there is!

Talk about friendship and loyalty

Talk about how much you mean to me

And I'd promise to always be by your side

Whenever you need me

The day I met you

Was the luckiest day of my life

And I'll bet you feel the same

At least I hope you do!

So don't forget me

If the future should take you away

'Cause you'll always be

Part of me

We belong together

We belong together

Wait and see

Gonna be this way forever

We belong together

We belong together, honestly

We'll go on this way forever

You and me

You and me

Music and Lyrics by

Randy Newman

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: Look for the Good

I heard a new Jason Mraz song on the radio a few days ago, and not only did I buy it immediately, but I knew it would be a perfect choice for Sing Song Saturday. Even though I usually feature Disney songs for my Lovely Lyrics posts, Jason Mraz is awesome and this is not the first of his songs I've written about!

These words offer such a powerful message, not only for the current situation we all find ourselves in, but also for life in general.

Look for the Good

Look for the good in everything

Look for the people who will set your soul free

It always seems impossible until it's done

Look for the good in everyone

People done gone crazy, people done gone mad

People done forgot the superpowers we all have

We were born to love, not hate

We can decide our fate

And look for the good in everyone

And celebrate our love most days

If there's a silver lining

You still have to find it, find it, find it

Look for the good in everything

Look for the people who will set your soul free

It always seems impossible until it's done

Look for the good in everyone

Everyone needs sunshine, everyone needs rain

Everyone is carrying around some kind of pain

I see who you are, you're just like me

I see you're searching for a purpose, guided by a dream

I see who you are, I'm just like you

I get lost sometimes and I forget what I came here to do

I keep on trying

When it gets frightening

Look for the good in everything

Look for the people who will set your soul free

It always seems impossible until it's done

Look for the good, look for the good

Look for the good in everyone

Everyone is nature, everyone is God

Everyone is love and light and vibration

Look for the good, look for the good

Everyone gets mad sometimes and maybe they should

Look for the good, look for the good

Yeah, look out for all the heroes in your neighborhood

Look for the good, look for the good

Life sure would be sweeter if everybody would

Look for the good in everything

Look for the people who will set your soul free

It always seems impossible until it's done

Look for the good in everyone

Music and Lyrics by

Jason Mraz

these two are my "good"
every single day

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: That's What Makes the World Go Round

C and I went for a long drive today and while I was admiring the change in scenery, this song came to mind! The movie is not particularly popular, and its soundtrack even less so, but it seemed like a good choice for Sing Song Saturday! Even though the scene in the movie is a bit odd, I do love the song's message and it seemed uplifting and lighthearted!

That's What Makes the World Go Round

from The Sword in the Stone

Left and right

Like day and night

That's what makes the world go round

In and out

Thin and stout

That's what makes the world go round

For every up, there is a down

For every square, there is a round

For every high, there is a low

For every to, there is a fro

To and fro

Stop and go

That's what makes the world go round

You must set your sights upon the heights

Don't be a mediocrity

Don't just wait and trust to fate

And say, that's how it's meant to be

It's up to you how far you go

If you don't try you'll never know

And so my lad, as I've explained

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

You see my boy, it's nature's way

Upon the weak the strong ones prey

The human life, it's also true,

The strong will try to conquer you

That is what you must expect

Unless you use your intellect

Brains and brawn, weak and strong

That's what makes the world go round

Music and Lyrics by

Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman

Happy Tails to you!