I heard “Lift Off” for the first time while I was creating this playlist (December 2017). Yes, I know it was released on the “Watch the Throne Album” in 2011. But I’m not a trend follower. Although I have listened to the album several times, I did not listen to the songs the public was listening to. So, it was easy for me to miss this one.

I can’t even recall how I came across it. I think I was just digging through Beyonce’s discography, and decided to take a listen. I’m glad I did because it has given me fuel for the days when I was not sure how I’d make it through all that was ahead of me.

This is clearly her song. Jay and Kanye don’t offer up too much lyrically on this track. Beyonce on the other hand is owning this song! It’s not her fault. The team (Pahrrell Williams, Mike Dean, Bruno Mars, Shawn Carter, Jeff Bhasker, Kanye West, and Seal Samuel) laced the hook and she handles it like a boss with her vocals. Now before anyone gets all whiny like I’m some Beyonce, Bey Hive junkie…I have not always been a Beyonce’ fan. As she has matured as a woman and in the industry, I have come to appreciate her work more. So, my commentary here on her should be seasoned with that in mind.

Enough about the vocals and such…let’s get to the lyrics that are motivation:

We gon' take it to the moon, take it to the stars
How many people you know can take it this far?
I'm supercharged
I'm 'bout to take this whole thing to Mars

Now we gon' take it to the moon, take it to the stars
You don't know what we been through to make it this far
So many scars
'Bout to take this whole thing to Mars

Each day I endeavor to be the best version of me that God has created. I am determined to be epic. I don’t mean this in an arrogant or haughty way. I simply want to live in such a way that God is pleased with more than He is displeased. My words, steps, and thoughts serve as a form of praise and worship. They are my daily sacrifice. Since it’s all for Him my only choice is to take all that I do past the moon, out into the stars, all the way to Mars.

By the time I make my way to my assigned duty; whether it be to teach, coach, greet customers, be a mom, etc. I’m fired up. I’m inspired by my own story. Not many people with my upbringing or just my single mom story have made it as far as I have. I am more than blessed. I have found so much favor with God that it drives me push past the ordinary ways of living, working, and serving to do the extraordinary for Him through serving those impacted by the work I am involved in.

This is one of the songs I tend to listen to as I’m pulling in the gate to my school. Yep! I full-on change the song and get my mind right. If I have time I’ll finish listening to the song in the car. If not, I’ll put in my earbuds, and finish up as I’m walking into the building.

Music fuels every part of me. This song does that, as well as reminds me of my duty, and that my scars/my past do not determine how far I can go. I do. So why not take it to the moon…to the stars…Mars?

4.6.2019