The talented SueReu put together this beautiful article. After I read it, I asked her if I could post it on CANN. Filled with wonderful quotes, the article reflects Sue’s thoughts about the quotes as they relate to Clay Aiken. Simply amazing! Many thanks, Sue!!
Confucius Says
Lately there have been many in the Clay Nation who have suffered personal losses in their lives and it has gotten me reevaluating what is truly important. There was a time when what all I wanted for Clay was success – which I still want, but I now have a much more balanced view of exactly what defines success.
Not having the right words, I reached out to Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions
My wish for Clay is that when he wakes up in the morning, he loves who he sees. Not the outside, the superficial, but the core of his being – his soul. I wish for Clay a lifetime of doing what is right, of making a difference, of staying modest in a world full of egotism. I hope that, at the end of the day, he feels he has done what is right and not what is popular.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life
My wish for Clay is much joy in everything that he does. Without joy, any success is shallow. Fame is fleeting, happiness is forever.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
Every moment we have on this earth is a miracle, my wish for Clay is that he embraces the beauty that surrounds him every day.
I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being
My wish for Clay is that he continues to just be Clay – what’s that old saying? That’s right, let Clay be Clay.
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
My wish for Clay is that he continues to follow his heart, without fear of the future – that at the end of the day he is content with a life well lived.
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors
My wish for Clay is that he is wrapped in the love of his friends and his family. I also wish that he can come to understand and accept the love of his fans – it is genuine and it is so deserved.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated
My wish for Clay is that he revels in the simple things in life. Taking a walk, holding hands, reading a good book, or just sitting in a comfortable silence. At the end of the day, it’s the simple things that we hold most dear.
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell
My wish for Clay is that he continues to make the music he loves, the music that feeds his soul and makes him happy – irregardless of where it lands on the charts.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without
My wish for Clay is that his life is a diamond, even if it may have a few flaws. A life of clarity, brilliance and color, with a cut that is not too deep, or too shallow, but ideal.
Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance
Sorry, just had to throw that one in 😉
suerue – Love the Confucius sayings and agree with you as to how they can apply to Clay. But, was that last saying a tongue-in-cheek inference that Clay can't dance? If so, and just to be clear … Clay certainly can dance, literally speaking. But figuratively speaking, he will not dance with those who do not have his best interests at heart. Nor will he dance to certain situations, nor be in step with popular social behaviors, that he deems to be not necessarily what he wants in his life.
suerue – my disclaimer. I certainly do not mean to imply that you suggested that his figurative dancing stance was wrong in any way – far from it. I just wanted to make a general statement and observation about it. I think Clay needs that sword! Congratulations on a great article.
Hi Hopefulee – yes, it was just a joke 😀
But figuratively speaking, Clay is the type of man who should be given a sword because he dances with the rhythms of the world He would use the sword only when absolutely necessary, and only to the flow of the music, rather than wielding it with a heavy hand and out of step.
suerue – I agree that the best approach to using that sword is in a manner which is for the good of all. I believe that Clay's sword is activated by his actions and by him using his voice, which we all know he does quite competently. I appreciate your thoughtful and enlightening reply.
Thank you!
SueReu…this is absolutely wonderful.. To tell you the truth, I think Clay is living exactly the way you wish him to. He is an honourable man, a humble man, who does the right thing. He speaks his mind, speaks up for those less fortunate. I'm pretty proud of him in all that he does. You could not have said it more perfect. Thank you!!!!!!
Confucius also says SueReu is an amazing writer! Thanks Musicfan123 for all that you do in putting together this blog.
I agree with everything that was said in the article. I truly just want what's best for Clay and I hope whatever that may be leads him back to us and soon. 🙂
musicfan – thank you for putting the photos to the words! and thank you Hopefulee, Judy and kta
That was wonderful. Thanks for sharing it.
This is amazing……..Thank you for posting this beautiful post. Sue…the words are wonderful…Musicfan, the photos fit the words so well.
This is my favorite place to visit!!
Thank you, Sue, for another heartfelt blog. We can all learn from this and hopefully find acceptance for all. Beautiful words from you and Confucius.
That was just wonderful…and it fits Clay to a T. I think that is why we love him so much. He is the perfect Measure Of A Man. Thank you so much for that..Sue.
Sue, this is so wonderful and touching. I have always wished everything for Clay….everything HE wants.
Wonderful article.
Thanks for posting this wonderful article. I also thinks that Clay fits all that Confucius says. Thanks for the beautiful pictures to go with this great article.
amazing article
This is a beautiful article by SueRue to post on Memorial Day (weekend). Now is the time to remember the ones we have loved who are no longer here, and the ones who are still here whom we love. I count Clay as one I love because he is as a man who cares for others.
That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. I have always thought Clay should just be Clay. After all, that's the man we fell in love with 🙂
Although I'm late, I wanted to stop by and say thanks =) Hope everyone has a great long weekend!