You Get What You Need

Suggested audio: You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones

You Can’t Always Get What You Want by British rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1969 album Let It Bleed has been a personal anthem of mine since my ears pricked up at it’s beautiful choral opening.

I was listening to my latest second hand vinyl find on my Matsui stereo. Who remembers Matsui? The album was Let It Bleed and it featured some excellent tracks, my favourites being the iconic Gimme Shelter plus Live With Me, innuendo laced Let It Bleed, an all time favourite Midnight Rambler (check out the 9 minute live version), Monkey Man and of course, You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Anyway, the lyrics of this particular track really got me intrigued and questioning my life. Okay, I was about 17 and perhaps too young for philosophical musings but the point was the last five words of the opening sentence: “you get what you need“.

All of us have asked for various things be it from others or in silent prayer. Did you get everything you wanted? You’re no doubt saying no. Nor did I. Time passed and my head went “pop!” a couple of years and much more vinyl treasures later. I lay there in the Edinburgh Western General department of Neurosciences looking at a big neon M for McDonald’s sign off in the distance. A sadistic thing making my mouth drool! I asked God for complete healing and became frustrated by my progress. And progress is progress, if only I realised that.

As the months dragged by in a tiresome blur of therapies and NHS bedding, I hit the angry phase. Envious of people who could walk and cycle which caused the occasional emotional outburst. It’s only natural I was gently assured. Sure. But it was short lived thankfully as I became increasingly encouraged by my healthy body learning to do the essentials again.

Fast forward to the present day. To right this minute as I sit with my cute guinea pigs and husband who’s engrossed in a Mafia documentary. You realise in life that all this time you get what you need and everything else is a bonus!

It’s remarkable what just a few words, whatever the source, can do to your outlook on life.

© Copyright: Sharon Lawson™