Raise your hand if you are freaking out about whether or not you are on the right path!
OK, I cannot see your hands, but assuming they are up, I feel you. I love my major and what I am studying, but what if it is not enough? I have doubted myself a lot as I have gone along. I have doubted my writing, I have doubted my photographs, and I have doubted everything I have done along the lines of communications. Going into my final year, I am starting to feel like I picked the wrong line of work because "I am not good enough"- a common phrase spoken by everyone on Earth. I have tried recreating other people's work, I have watched and followed others in my industry to see if their style fits mine. If you have nodded along and if you have been saying, "Yeah, me too," then all I can say is listen to the first three songs on Aaron Watson's new album "Red Bandanna".
1. "Ghost Of Guy Clark"
"You gotta make 'em feel what you feel, help 'em dream a dream and make 'em wonder
It's like catch lightning in a bottle, make 'em smell the rain and hear the thunder
Let 'em taste the tears of joy or the bittersweet taste of sin
Find the passion in a four-letter word or a Sunday morning Amen"
This is the most impactful part of his first song from the album "Ghost of Guy Clark". As a writer and an advocate for an entire industry, this song struck a chord. It is my job as an ag communicator to show consumers what life is like in agriculture. If others can feel what the farmers and ranchers feel and if consumers can visualize and feel like they are a part of the production of their food, then our jobs are complete. That is what you need to do in your respective career path. Your passion should ooze through your work. If it is important to you, it will be hit somebody else in the feels. This song is basically a pump-up song and reminded me why I chose to go into this type of profession.
2. "El Comienzo del Viaje"
Next, the second song is entirely instrumental. Let me tell you, it belongs in a Clint Eastwood western film or some other bitch movie. It is the perfect montage song and it is set up to sound like it is just a part of the first song and the third song on the album. It is a great transition between the two other songs.
"Today's your day in the sun
You're rolling like a young gun
And now it's your time to ride
Let your dark horse run
No, they can't measure your heart
They can't tear you apart
You're finally catching your stride
Let your dark horse run"
3. "Dark Horse"
This is the third song, and is the call-to-action that will light a fire under anyone! Seize the day, make it your own, and be great! Apply for those jobs, compete in those photo contests, try those experiences. Put your whole heart and soul into it though. Do not let anyone think you are not capable or competent. You have got this. This song makes me pumped up for this fourth and final year at college. After all, today is my day in the sun. And it is YOUR day too.
Thank you, Aaron Watson, for this awesome album. So if you are reading this, give it a listen, and go be great!