� 2001-2006 by Shiloh
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nebulousThis entry has been months in coming. I got sidetracked from this song and as a day became plural, turning into a week and more, I lost the mood and the immediate impressions I'd received from it. I let it fall by the wayside. But yesterday when Jessy, Brogan and I were at Sonic getting refreshments, Standing Outside the Fire by Garth Brooks was playing towards the end of our break.
I first saw this song's music video on CMT several years ago and was immediately struck by the portrayal of it. Amidst clips of Garth Brooks singing and strumming his guitar, they showed clips of events from the Special Olympics. The lyrics combined with the visual was a very powerful, emotional package, and naturally, because of my own situation it resonated with me on a soul's level. And being the emotional creature that I am, I had tears in my eyes and coursing down my cheeks, listening and watching and letting it sink in.
Standing Outside the FireThinking about it, I think I know why they chose to link the song to the Special Olympics. Those kids "stand inside the fire" most, if not, everyday. They are ...consumed by desire to do their very best. They are the ones the world calls fools, the ones the world calls "weak," for they risk the tables being turned; they risk being burned and they risk ...the sorrow and the shame from standing inside the fire.
We call them cool
Those hearts that have no scars to show
The ones that never do let go
And risk the tables being turnedWe call them fools
Who have to dance within the flame
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always come with getting burnedBut you got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire
We call them strong
Those who can face this world alone
Who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fallWe call them weak
Who are unable to resist
The slightest chance love might exist
And for that forsake it allThey're so hell-bent on giving, walking a wire
Convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fireStanding outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fireThere's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide standing outside the fireStanding outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fireStanding outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fireStanding outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fireGarth Brooks
Life with passion. It isn't living without it. You don't have to go crazy, expending your energy till you burn out like a nova in a grand display. Just live life being passionate about what matters most to you. Remember, fire is the test of gold; from the refiner's fire comes the purest, prefect form of this precious metal.
