For some reason I’ve been listening to a certain song – The Reason by Hoobastank. I like the melody of the song, but also find the words to be meaningful. The lyrics go like this:
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
and the reason is you
and the reason is you
and the reason is you
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
The song has made me think about the reasons why people change. Definitely the song suggests that people change because they meet a certain special someone, and are in the process transformed by that individual’s love. For instance, one of my friends recently shared with me the story of her life. She shared that she used to be a fun-loving girl who liked dancing and partying in the bars and clubs, often ending up drunk. Then one day, she met a man at a bar whom she kept in contact with, and they eventually married less than a year later. My friend is now enjoying her married life and she has a wonderful two-year-old daughter. Looking at her today, one would never have imagined that a dutiful and responsible mother like her was once a party girl living the high life without a care in the world. And the reason for her change - a husband who loved her so much that he helped her give up her wild life in exchange for one of marital bliss.
The other aspect of the song that caught my attention is the notion that we are not perfect people, and that sometimes we make mistakes we regret, often having to live with the knowledge that we had hurt others in the past and wishing we could erase the pain we caused. The impact of the lyrics were highlighted in a version of the song that was sung by a band of wayward youth, young people who used to be involved in illegal activities but have since turned over a new leaf. With this in mind, it was not too difficult to hear the hearts of this group of young people - that they now desire change and long for a new life, one filled with meaning rather than pain and hurt.
It’s not easy to see why this song has made me think of the reason why I have changed. I recognise that I’m not a perfect person, and that there are many people whom I have hurt in the past. But I’ve found the reason for me - and I know why I should change who I used to be - and the reason is God… No other reason compares. Afterall I was transformed by God’s love for me. That’s all that matters.
This
article was written by Mark Lim Shan-Loong on
29th October 2005.
Words from the Heart
