Tim McGraw is a musician, actor, Louisianan, and simply a man of many moods and even more talents. He’s arguably one of the largest faces of country music for the past decade. His music has reminded us to never forget those bar-b-que stained white t-shirt memories, and to live like we're dying. Of course what little horse crazed girl could forget the heart string puller “My Little Girl” he wrote and performed for his acting debut in the film "Flicka." (Well at least I can’t forget it, anyway).
Recently, while I was commuting back to campus from 6:15 a.m. mass (yes I actually like getting up that early, especially for mass). Tim’s trademark twang broke through my speakers and his new song “Humble and Kind” filled the entirety of my little Honda Pilot. How appropriate that it came on after mass, right? I thought so, too. Fresh out of mass, I was feeling pretty good, but after hearing that song, I felt great. Though that warm double dose of fuzziness was great and it, along with mass, helped keep me in a good mood, moods and “feelings” are in fact fairly fleeting. The impression the song left on me, however, was not.
Humility is perhaps one of the most admirable qualities any human being can display. Merriam-Webster defines this adjective of humble as “not proud; not thinking of yourself as better than other people; given or said in a way that shows you do not think you are better than other people” etc. Kindness, of course, is yet another exceedingly venerable quality, and Merriam-Webster once again does a thorough job of explaining: "of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person." So, acting on each of this maxims each day per Tim McGraw’s request is simple enough, right? Not so fast.
Throughout this heart felt little melody, humility and kindness are clearly the emphasis- something made apparent in even the tittle alone, but let’s not forget that “always” is sung right before the song’s two focal points- always. Humility and kindness consistently, day in and day out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is a large feat. Being kind to all seems simple enough, until you see your nemesis about to cross your path and likely make some snide retort. How easy does “always kind” sound now? Maybe not so much. Or perhaps you just aced the pants off a huge final and you want the world to be just as proud of you as you are of you. That does not quite sound like humility anymore does it?
At its core, Tim’s new hit defines what it really means to display these virtues. “When the work you put in is realized, let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind…” what better way to remind ourselves of humility. “Don't hold a grudge or a chip… bitterness keeps you from flyin’…” could not more simply and effectively sum up kindness in one little line. So, thank you Tim McGraw for your new song. It is not only beautifully heartfelt, but a true anthem to live by.
