As a kid in school, I didn’t like to read most of what was assigned to us by our teachers. This was partly because I was unable to read something and stay focused enough to comprehend the plot of the book. My mom had me tutored to try and help me with this, but unless the book was interesting, I had a hard time. Now, as an adult I love to read, but again, only if it holds my interest. Sometimes, I will begin a book that sounds interesting but will not be able to finish it. I admit, I’ve been known to skip to the end and read the last chapter.
I can remember one assignment in high school we were given to read by James Hilton called Lost Horizon. The only thing I remember of it is the fictional place called Shangri-la. I remember being fascinated with the description of such a paradise.
The memory of it flooded back the first time I heard the song Shangri-la by Don Henley. Henley is part of the musical group The Eagles. When they split for a time, he and other band members tried to make solo careers. He was perhaps the most successful with his album The End of the Innocence released in 1989.
I love the lyrics to Shangri-la by Henley.
Every day’s a new day
That’s what I’ve been told
Try to hold your head high
The world runs hot and cold.
It’s hard to follow footprints
in the shifting sand
Another thirsty rider
Behind the caravan.
You had no idea
just what was waiting out there
You never thought you’d carry the weight
of the world
On your pretty blond hair.
This ain’t no Shangri-La
To you, no Shangri-La
This ain’t no Shangri-La
Nobody knows no Shangri-La.
Hey! There’s a whole lotta people
wonderin’ who you are
They think you walk without a care in the world
But they’ve been wrong so far.
This ain’t no Shangri-La
To you, no Shangri-La
This ain’t no Shangri-La
Nobody knows no Shangri-La.
No one can decide
What we all must outrun
Who’s gonna carry the weight of the world
Until we learn to stop
and do what must be done?
This ain’t no Shangri-La
To you, no Shangri-La
This ain’t no Shangri-La
Nobody Knows no Shangri-La.
Like the song says, nobody knows no Shangri-la. This world isn’t perfect. It isn’t our home. I don’t know why we keep trying to make it so.
Our Shangri-la comes later.
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