Ben Harper in Byron Bay: Burn One Down With My Own Two Hands

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“I can change the world with my own two hands.
Make a better place, with my own two hands,
Make a kinder place with my own two hands.
With my own, with my own, two hands.”

The crowd, who had been patiently waiting until this moment at 10:30pm, now erupted into elation as our favourite Bluefest artist, Ben Harper, pelted out the opening verse of one of his most meaningful songs.

A song that he sang with such passion signalling to all of us that he felt and meant every single word he sang and invited us to do the same.

[/caption]This is why I listen to music. This is why I come to concerts like these and stand for hours getting squashed and jostled in the crowd, braving humid conditions, sometimes rain and sometimes drunken stumblers falling onto my pregnant belly.

This is what makes it all worthwhile, a simple verse from someone who has been in your life for so many years reminding us that life is here to be embraced and shared.

Ben has always been in my life reminding me of this.

He was present at all my welcome home parties after my first three year trip abroad.

“Gold to Me” was the song my friends and I would sit around and sing together at barbecues and dance to. This was at the height of his explosive growth in Australia, and it came not long after his first appearance at Bluesfest. The appearance that he claims made his musical career. This is why he returns almost every year to sing at this festival.

A display of love and thanks for the dream life he has been able to live for all those who once stood in the muddy fields and believed in him and his message.

So we just hung out while he tinkered about and then wandered back to the media tent, where we then found out that we would not be allowed to interview any of the artists, including Ben. Shattered, I sat and pouted and Craig wandered back to the car to grab something we had forgotten.

And then I heard the haunting melody of “Amen, Omen” being sung by Ben from the tent. What the hell was I doing sitting here? I picked up my stuff and marched straight back into the tent for this once in a lifetime opportunity

Ben.. How you have made a difference in my life with your own two hands.

That was all I could think about during the performance and all I have since. You are an inspiration as you use your power and your success in a positive way.

You make me stop to think about how I am making a difference with my two hands.

In our quest for success and to live our dream lives we often forget about others. We are focused on moving ourselves forward and we forget to stop and ask “How am I making the world a better place?”

It does not have to be huge monumental tasks equivalent to the peace protests of Ghandi or Martin Luther King. It can be as simple as a smile, a friendly gesture, an encouraging word or the expression of gratitude.

It was when Craig and I returned home in ’06 that our world fell apart. The black hole I found myself in led me to question just what all my travels were for. I felt as if it was all for nothing, and all I had learned and experienced was blown away with the wind that carried us home.

Eventually my questioning and searching led me to the conclusion that it was not for nothing. My experiences were gifted to me for the soul purpose of sharing them.

I was incredibly fortunate to have lived my travelling life, it was up to me now to do something with that with my own two hands. By choosing not to I was being selfish and refusing to share, refusing to make a difference, preferring instead to hold on to my doubts and insecurities- which never makes the world a better place.

And so our blog was eventually born. I started it because I wanted to somehow make a difference. I wanted to somehow make the world a better place and this was the only way I knew how.

With that came a lot of sacrifices and stretching out of my comfort zones. I knew that in saying yes, I had somewhat given up the ownership of my inner most thoughts and certain aspects of my life.

There are many posts I’ve written, even this one, where I think “God girl. Do you really want people to know you think this? Do you really want people to know what lives in your heart and mind?”

My reply is always the same,

“You said yes.”

And so I pay attention to the words that come from deep within me and I write them down as I know they are coming for a reason, a reason that I may never understand, but one I have complete faith in knowing is for a greater cause.

I was recently criticised for baring my soul and treated as if I was completely shaming myself and those around me.

I thought about this for a moment and then I thought of all the letters and comments I have received from people who have told me I have somehow made a difference. These are the voices I listen to. These are the voices that keep me sharing.

Thank you for reaffirming to me Ben how important it is in life to make a difference with your own two hands. Everyone can do it, in big or small ways. Everyone. You just have to decide to and then stick to it. Look at the magic Ben creates as a result.

A song that speaks more to us then the literal act of “Burning one Down”

But more to the resolution we have to live and be steadfast with when we decide to make that difference with our own two hands and confront those who don’t want us to.

My choice is what I choose to do and if I’m causing no harm it shouldn’t bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be and if your causin’ no harm then you’re alright with me.
If you don’t like my fire, then don’t come around, cause I’m gonna burn one down.

Yes I’m gonna burn one down!”

How are you making a difference with your own two hands and who inspires you to do so?

Many thanks to our friend Amar Hussain at Gap Year Escape for the Media tickets to Bluesfest and this fabulous opportunity.