September 24, 2004

Where is our soul?

So I read this morning that they won’t let Cat Stevens into the United States. They re-routed his plane and everything. Sure his name is Yusuf Islam now, but what’s in a name? The guy was born with the name Steve, you know? He’s English.

The thing is, he probably is a threat to the current powers, but not in the way they imagine. They, whoever they are, cooked up this convoluted business about him giving money to Hamas and other “known” terrorist organizations as a justification for denying him the privilege of a peaceful arrival. But what really ought to worry them, and maybe it does, is that he gave up his career as a worldwide celebrity in favor of a life devoted to spiritual growth and serving others. And he’s putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak. Or perhaps more specifically, he is putting his money where his soul is, which makes one wonder, “Where are we putting our money?” and “Why?”

Now that I've lost everything to you
You say you wanna start something new
And it's breakin' my heart you're leavin'
Baby, I'm grievin'
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there

Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl

You know I've seen a lot of what the world can do
And it's breakin' my heart in two
Because I never wanna see you a sad girl
Don't be a bad girl
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you make a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

Chorus

Baby, I love you
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you make a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

Chorus

"Wild World" by Cat Stevens