Lyrics for life – Scarred But Smarter

In the mid-1990s, I spent a lot of time flying the freeways of Atlanta. I learned that this was the home of the veterans of the Drivin ‘N Cryin’ tour. Every trip to this metropolis found me packing my car with all the Kevn Kinney-inspired D n C stuff I had. Music can really get you hooked if you are open to the attitude of these southern guys.

A Ted Nugent interview at WRIF-Detroit first led me to D n C. Kevn Kinney called up on Ted’s show and they talked about life on the road, guitars, and the opening riff to the legendary song, Stranglehold. When Kevn finished the interview, he advised Ted to “turn it on or off, Ted!” I remember thinking this guy had the attitude of telling the crazy motor city to turn it up. Ted is the king of high volume assault. He claims to have once caused “cows udders to bulge” from 29 miles away during a late 1970s outdoor concert in Kansas City. From then on, I loved Kevn Kinney.

On one of my many trips to Atlanta, I was very connected to the song “Scarred But Smarter.” I played it over and over and over again. The lyrics and their infinite meaning caught my attention like no other song had. As I reviewed the adversities in my life over the past few years, I applied each experience to the song. Word for word, Kevn Kinney wrapped me in a comforting blanket with his carefully chosen words of truth.

“I am without work, without hope. Of what should become of you I spoke, good times for the undeserved and bad times for those who work, poor, rich, blind, dead, I expected more than everyone had planned, at that time they took a hard hit when the real world cut the line they had, no one said it would be fair, they warned you before you left, there is always a chance to restart for a new world, a new life, scarred but smarter. ” Many times I have prayed for a new start in life. Screaming for all the injustice in our world, work environments, or relationships. The deepest pain is when God takes one of our precious loved ones from us. In these moments I have “expected more than everyone had planned.” Praying and praying for the return of the miracle of life was reflected in, “at that moment they suffered a severe blow when the real world cut the line they had.” Excruciating pain runs through my body as the unthinkable is a crippling reality. Totally shocked, I vaguely listen to my parents assure me that “no one said it would be fair.” So true is that statement! When I think of my parents’ advice many times during my childhood, I realize that they “warned you before you left.” On my knees, I passionately prayed to God without an answer. As time heals life, the last line of the song brings strength and hope, “There is always the possibility of restarting to a new world, a new life, scarred but smarter.”

Everyone deserves a new start in life, especially if we learn perspective and gratitude through our pain. With lots of support and love, I have thrived through adversity and have truly become “scarred but smarter.”

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