How Has a Poem Or Song Lyrics Resonated With Your Life?
Poetry and music can profoundly influence our personal and professional lives, often providing solace or inspiration when we need it most. We reached out to CEOs and business owners to share how a poem or song lyric has resonated with their life experiences. From the motivational words of Kipling’s poetry to the guiding principles in Henley’s ‘Invictus’, here are four impactful reflections.
- Kipling’s Poem Inspires Business Resilience
- Eric Church’s Lyrics Evoke Nostalgic Memories
- Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Lyrics Emphasize Simplicity
- Henley’s ‘Invictus’ Guides Legal Tenacity
Kipling’s Poem Inspires Business Resilience
One poem that has always resonated with me is **“If—” by Rudyard Kipling**. The opening lines, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,” hold deep significance in my life, especially in navigating the challenges of running a business. These lines remind me to stay calm, focused, and composed even in the face of adversity or uncertainty.
This poem speaks to resilience, patience, and integrity, values that I try to embody both professionally and personally. The message of maintaining balance, regardless of the pressures around you, has helped guide me through stressful situations and difficult decisions. It’s a constant reminder to lead with clarity and conviction, which is essential in both leadership and life.
Shehar Yar
CEO, Software House
Eric Church’s Lyrics Evoke Nostalgic Memories
Eric Church, a famous musician in the country music genre, wrote a song in 2012 entitled ‘Springsteen.’ This song tells the story of a young teenager (probably age 15 or 16) who is attending a Bruce Springsteen concert with his then-girlfriend and is completely enjoying the moment and the music. As this young man has now aged and is in a completely different season of his life with marriage, a wife, and kids, he travels back mentally to his 15-year-old self when he hears that old Springsteen song from so long ago. The actual lyric is, ‘Funny how a melody sounds like a memory: Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night.’ Church is referencing the concert, the girl, the music, and the way that he felt that evening. The reason why this song has gone multi-platinum is because we all do this. We have all heard a song from our past that brings us right back to the place when we were younger. These reflective memories can be both joyous and traumatic, but let’s focus on the happy ones.
There is actually a scientific reason for why human beings do this. There are regions in the brain that recall memory, maintain focus, and evoke emotion. These components are all activated when listening to a familiar song or sound. When a tune from our past is heard, the individual is brought right back to the moment in time where and when he or she was experiencing joy within a relationship or a positive feeling surrounding a social event. This phenomenon is what I refer to as ‘Music-Topia.’ This is a euphoric state of mind when music and meaningful memory co-exist. The result is a heavenly state of mind and a possible nod to the immortal young adult that you once were.
Tina Severance-Fonte
Wellness Coordinator, Broward Schools & Private Consulting
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Lyrics Emphasize Simplicity
The lyrics from “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, especially the line “And be a simple kind of man,” resonate with me because they remind me to focus on what truly matters—family, integrity, and staying grounded, no matter what life throws at you. It’s a constant reminder to live with purpose and humility.
John Frigo
Ecommerce Manager, Best Price Nutrition
Henley’s ‘Invictus’ Guides Legal Tenacity
One poem that has deeply resonated with me is “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. The closing lines of this poem are:
“I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”
These lines have been particularly significant in my professional life as an estate lawyer. In the practice of law, especially in areas like wills and estates where the stakes are often high and the outcomes uncertain, maintaining a sense of personal control and responsibility is crucial. The poem’s assertion of self-mastery and resilience reflects my own approach to handling complex legal matters.
There have been numerous instances where we’ve dealt with challenging cases with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. During such times, the idea that I am in control of how I respond to these challenges—regardless of external circumstances—has been a guiding principle. It reminds me that while I may not always control the outcomes, I do control my approach, my attitude, and my efforts. This mindset has been instrumental in navigating difficult situations with a sense of purpose and determination, ensuring that I provide the best possible service to our clients.
Oliver Morrisey
Owner, Director, Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers
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