Tim McGraw’s newest single “Humble and Kind” was released in 2015. When I first heard it, I’ll admit I wasn’t a huge fan … It was just another song on the radio that most times I would skip or change the station to. When I actually listened to it in its entirety, It’s actually a very insightful song. There is meaning all throughout and it really is a song everyone should really listen to at least once. Actually, this may be one of the few songs (at least within today’s current music industry) that everyone could really live by.
“Always stay humble and kind”
This anthem offers up advice to each and every one of us, lyric by lyric. The biggest piece of advice as well as the main message is simply to stay humble and kind. We all have our times of superiority and bliss but there’s no reason to always believe you are better than all those around you. It’s important to stay humble through the good and the bad. Being kind will get you so far in life, it’s important to take a step back from time to time to look around and be grateful for everyone and everything around you.
“Hold the door, say please, say thank you”
This verse should be common sense to most people (especially if you’re coming from the south), but for some it isn’t. Some of us have been raised (myself included) to always treat others with respect saying please and thank you while others aren’t accustomed to doing so. At the university I attend, people everywhere hold doors opens even from a mile away, respond with “ma’am or sir” followed by a “please and thank you.” It’s like a way of life for Texans. It’s not a hard task as the song reminds us but sometimes it is simply forgotten.
“Don’t steal, don’t cheat and don’t lie”
This is another lesson that we are reminded of from the song. Not to steal, cheat or lie is something many of us have grown up being taught by our parents and all those around us. Showing us that our actions and such do have consequences. Never forget to be the kind of person our parents raised us to be. Show respect, radiate humility, and demonstrate integrity regardless of the circumstances we face. Lying, stealing and cheating are not going to get anyone anywhere and are simply poor decisions, this song reminds us time and time again to always stay humble and kind.
“I know you got mountains to climb but, always stay humble and kind”
We all have obstacles to overcome and goals we want to achieve and many people would say it’s all about the journey not the destination. McGraw’s song reminds us that no matter where we go or what we do we can’t let the great things go to our heads because we wouldn’t be there without having climbed the “mountains.” Everyone is fighting different battles; everyone is climbing their own “mountain.” We all need to remember where we started, what we've accomplished and how many mountains we've all climbed before. The thing to remember is that once you get to the top, you need to be able to thank the people who helped you along the way. You can’t just get to where you want to be and keep going without stopping to realize and remember all those backing you. You need to be humble when looking at your accomplishments, acknowledge how hard you've worked and be kind to all those that have helped you get to where you are.
“Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why, bitterness keeps you from flying”
We’re all human, from time to time people do us wrong but a habit many of us have is holding on to those feelings of anger or sadness and holding a grudge. The songs message here is that we shouldn’t sweat the little things, those things that we hold on to are often the things that hold us back from doing what we want or reaching our full potential. Unfortunate things do happen from time to time people make mistakes but those things shouldn’t dictate your life for you. Let the grudges go and relax. Be the bigger person and learn to forgive and forget. Take the high road and try to live a grudge free life. Holding grudges as some may tell you aren’t healthy and actually hinder our ability to be the best we can be. Life isn’t going to be stress free but if you live in the moment and see what happens then you’re one step closer to being YOU and that’s all you can truly be in this world.
“Shut off the AC and roll the windows down, let that summer sun shine”
I think this line in particular gets overlooked a lot and is just seen as being a typical talk and theme of summer but there really is so much more to that. In today’s time it seems that we are all mainly concerned with the destination as opposed to the journey. People don’t care where you go as long as you get there and fast. We don’t ever take the time to step back and smell the roses as you’d say or simply appreciate what is all around us. This lyric is all about taking time to go slow and experience a laid back and chill life. We should let the sun shine in our face, blast some music and just drive with no hesitation or destination needed
“Don't take for granted the love this life gives you”
Here’s a big one, don’t take the life you have for granted. Often times especially with the current generation we are given things and don’t stop to say thank you or appreciate those who have given it to us. We expect things to come easy and be handed to us when in reality that isn’t the case. Nothing worth having comes easy as some may say. When people show you love and appreciation, don’t shrug it off take the time to express your gratitude. It doesn’t matter the current situation, you should always accept the love you are shown and be sure to share it with those around you. You never know how much one little thing can affect someone else’s day. Don’t take it for granted, be humble about it and always make an effort to say thank you.
“When you get where you're goin', don't forget turn back around, and help the next one in line”
Again, we all have goals and aspirations. We go through life day by day getting to where we want, but once we get there, what do we do? Oftentimes we just take it and run with it. Well, here’s what the message with this lyric is, once we get to where we want, take time to go back a bit and help those who are trying to follow the same path. Remember to stop and help those who are trying to get to where you are, you’ve gotten to where you want and your content help someone else do the same. You have insight that others don’t possess yet, so help them, use that knowledge and help them soar. You were once in their shoes and I’m sure you would have been very appreciative if someone had taken the time to help you the way you are able to help others.
"Humble and Kind" is absolutely a song to live by. There are many takeaways present in this song if you take the time to listen. Try to relate this back to your own life and really get something out of it. It's important to take a step back, take each day and situation one at a time and remember to always stay humble and kind. You won’t regret it, that’s for sure!
