And Ramen Noodles at 4:30 in the morning,
When we barely could survive,
I was never more alive.
For my birthday I have received a Better Than Ezra CD that contains a song that contains the above lyrics, which jumped out and touched me on the first hearing.
Do I need to explain why? Well, I guess that is why I am here. Ramen Noodles are the universal symbol for povery, are they not? Ten to twenty cents a package, and all you have to add is water. When you barely can survive, that is what you eat.
I am the first to admit that I have trouble with some of the BTE lyrics, (it’s the 80/20 rule—I only understand about 20% of their songs) but this song, Under You, seems to be about a couple heading out to California to pursue their dreams, and they end up working in a bar and eating Ramen Noodles at 4:30 in the morning. It seems to be about paying your dues, and what you have to go through to achieve your dreams.
Only sometimes, I think, when you achieve your dreams, when you reach your destination, you find yourself looking back lovingly on the journey (I was never more alive).
I heard a great quote once. “There are two tragedies in life. One is NOT to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.” (Through the wonders of the internet, I am instantly able to determine that these words were penned by George Bernard Shaw).
Also, by Robert Browning: “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
I think I understand this. I think this is why I don’t ever see myself “growing up” in the conventional sense. I always see myself pursing something, and yet somehow always hoping I don’t actually attain it. I know that sounds weird, but see the above quotes. I am not interested in achieving success. I am interested in always feeling “I was never more alive.” THAT is true success.
Sometimes when you crowd your life with too much stuff, and too many concerns, when you have all the trappings of having “attained,” you lose that sense of being alive. You get smothered by your stuff and by your success. Because it’s hard to maintain that level of “success.”
Kind of like when you are in school, if you start out with an A average, all your effort goes into maintaining the A, and that is stressful, because if you don’t succeed in maintaining it, then you have truly failed. But if you are at B or C, then all your effort goes into trying to raise your grade. And failing to raise a grade is not as stressful and disappointing as failing to maintain a grade. Does this make sense?
Anyway, viva la Ramen noodles! I get the symbolism. I am a hippie. Always have been. Always will be.
Hopefully.
