Don’t think no negative thoughts.
Breathe, and then let things go.
Be true to your nature and true to yourself;
Live now and go with the flow.
We’re not in control.
Crown thy good with brotherhood.
Follow the Golden Rule.
Nature will certainly win in the end,
Until then, burn biofuel.
Trust and tell the truth.
That’s the Tao of Willie.
It may sound weird or a little bit silly,
But you know a man who’s smoked that much pot
Ain’t gonna say something’s true if it’s not.
That’s the Tao of Willie.
You can’t help but live by the Tao,
Because all it means is that you’re living now.
Today is the date my Mama died, twelve years ago that seem like yesterday. And her old friends who I keep up with are going, too. I miss her and all of them. You can see why on YouTube; search for "Mama, What Do You Wish?"
It snowed last night, and I rose very early, stepped outside in the dark, and smelled the freshness. Then I picked up my copy of The Tao of Willie to uplift my spirits, which it did in even better measure than the last time I read it, which I do regularly. As I do with Winter by Rick Bass. (Do yourself a favor and read these books.)
My mama was born in Abilene, Texas, and she was a true lady in the fine, lovely, and raucous semblance of Ann Richards and Molly Ivins. They all died too young. We all will, too.
But Willie ain't afraid, and Willie's got the right balance of lyric and melody and story in his thoughts and philosophy, just like in his songs. Thanks, Willie.
