A Fool in Love

For those who know me well, you know I absolutely love old music, particularly old gospel and Motown. In fact I like most music so long as the lyrics tell a story. So ballads, despite the genre, are my favorite. I find amazing lessons in the most unassuming spaces, and the music industry provides some good ones. Tina and Ike Turner wrote a song “A Fool in Love” that debuted in 1960. Great song – classic Ike and Tina. The song basically tells of a woman that is so foolishly in love with a man, despite the fact that she shouldn’t be. The chorus sings:

You take the good, along with the bad,

Sometimes you’re happy, and sometimes you’re sad,

You know you love him, you can’t understand,

Why he treats you like he do when he’s such a good man.

 Of course this was Tina’s personal story unfortunately; she was in love with an abusive and terrible partner, and yet she stayed until she reached her breaking point. What I can appreciate about what Tina is saying/feeling, is this notion of loving something completely (and even foolishly) despite the risks. DISCLAIMER: NO ONE should love ANYTHING in a way that causes you physical, mental, or any other kind of harm.

But think about what you love, or do not love, in your day-to-day lives. How much do you really love your major, your job, your hobby, or the people in your life? Are you foolishly in love – throwing caution to the wind, or just a little in love? Because of fear, past hurt, disappointment, and anxiety, I find myself not fully loving and embracing the people and opportunities in my life. I refuse to trust friends, because they might hurt me. So I exist in a half-fulfilled friendship to protect from hurt that may or may not happen. And the question that I ask is what does that cost me? Sure it spares me from a potentially hurtful or disappointing future, but what does it cost me in lost time now? And what if the fear and hesitance is actually leading me to the future disappointment I so greatly try to avoid? And is the possibility of not being hurt worth not loving and living freely now? This is not just with personal relationships either. I think about people who want to start new businesses or jump into a new job, but find themselves afraid of all the unknowns. So they choose inaction and complacency, over action and risk.

I want to be a fool in love with everything I do. That seems to be the most fulfilling thing I can do now, and something I believe will be worth it in the end. Watch Tina perform below and you’ll get it. See the passion, the fun, and the way it all shaped her into the beautiful and healthy woman she is now.

P.S. Check out the backup dancers and band is killing it, old school style. You have to appreciate that.