"I Can See Clearly Now"

"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind"

"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared"


Those are very well-known words. And, rigthfully so. They are part of the lyrics to Johny Nash's 1972 #1 hit "I Can See Clearly Now" which hit the #1 spot Billboard's Top 100 chart on November 4, 1974 and stayed there four weeks straight.

So why the history lesson on this song?

As I was thinking about the topic for this past Thursday which asked us to talk about a time when we were rebellious – whether it be rebellion towards your parents, a boss or even “The Man" and this song came to mind when I came up with what I wanted to write about.

Picking out a time I was blatantly rebellious was difficult. When I was younger I was a good kid, for the most part, and as an adult that continues to be the status quo. Sure, I've gone rogue on several occasions, but I would hardly call any of those actions rebellious. Then there is the perception of being rebellious to consider. Such as participating in extreme sports. Or, when I got a navel piercing. Maybe even my seemingly, regular "defiant" attitude towards not posting my Thursday group posts on Thursday which has earned me the title of the resident slacker/rebel in our foursome. However, I believe most would agree none of these examples are outright rebellious as I'm not doing any of these things to spite someone. Then at the strangest moment possible it hit me. I recognized a time when I was rebellious. A person I was rebellious against.

It wasn't against my mom or dad. It wasn't against "the man." Nor, was it against a significant other. Funny as this will sound, it was against my BFF. Yep, that's right! BFF.

It's not a secret that BFF and I have had our trails and tribulations through the 20+ years we've known each other. I'd actually be afraid if we hadn't. However some have been greater than others. Like the one that took place about 6 years ago and lead me to stop speaking with her for close to two years..

As far as I'm concerned, BFF was born to be a mom. She takes care of everyone - especially those she cares about greatly. So, it isn't a stretch that she has (and is) extremely involved in my life. And, to some extent has an investment in it.

After I moved back, BFF made it a priority, whether she knew it or not, to focus on helping me be happy. I had just left a significant relationship and was starting over - once again (a theme that seems to persist in my life.) Like any good mom, she'd give me her sage advice on how to handle many different situations. I appreciated her advice, but didn't always take it. I was an adult and capable of making my own choices. However, this "rebellion" started to cause friction in our relationship (at least on my side). We never talked about it. Or, at least not when we weren't disagreeing about something.

Unlike the past, the "final straw" was something very serious. I felt that BFF (and hubby) had over-stepped the line and this time my rebellious nature seemed to push me even farther away than before. I had made up my mind and nothing that was said could change it. That's when I stopped talking to her. Actually, her and her family. Yes, I know that wasn't the ideal course of action, but that is the choice I made at the time.

Over the past couple of years I wondered if I would have acted as strongly as I did had other outside factors not been present, but then I realize I can't look back.

"I can see clearly now" what happened back then. It's on the very short list of regrets I carry with me - even after many conversations and apologies. Seeing the "obstacles"that were in our way"clearly now" is the price of hindsight I guess, but to some extent I think we had to go through what we did to truly appreciate our friendship (and each other) more. The "dark clouds that blinded me" at that time are gone. The pain and the bad feelings are gone as well. And what is left is a sincere and open friendship that I can confident will last a lifetime.

Guess sometimes a little rebellion isn't always a bad thing.



"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind"

"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared"

Check out what my fellow bloggers had to say about this topic by clicking the links below:

Jenn @ Charmingly Random
Mel @ Me!!!
Shara @ Desperate Madness

Until later . . .