Frank Sinatra’s classic hit about independence and personal acceptance is more than just a rallying homily of Mr. Sinatra’s musical talent. “My Way” is a battle-cry for all of those who are brave enough to walk their own path in life. Mr. Sinatra’s smooth vocals and rich tones lull us with an excellent testament of how individualism and confidence can take you further in life than ever thought possible.
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
Be confident in your own abilities and work. If you can’t stand behind the decisions you make and work you do, how do you expect anyone else to do the same?
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
If you live a life in which you do things your way, you are bound to live a life that is full by your own standards. Life has many different roads to take, what matters is that you take the road that makes the most sense TO YOU.
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
See things through from their beginning to their end. Finish what you start and don’t apologize for who you are.
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
Plan, plan, and plan some more. Good planning is what separates winners from losers.
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Branch out and try things that are “much more” than what you normally do. You never know what is out there until you look. You may even find a new or better way of doing things that you adopt as your own.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
This is going to happen. At some point in your life, you WILL take on more than you can handle, even if you didn’t mean to…
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
…but what matters is how you respond to these situations as they come up. Are you going to curl up in a fetal position and die? Or are you going to take it head on and completely own it?
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way
Stand tall in the face of adversity. How we choose to respond to the trials and struggles we face in life are part of what makes us all both human and unique at the same time.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
Life is full of situations that are both positive and negative. Be prepared to take the good with the bad. Yin-Yang, mother*@**^^.
And now, as tears subside
I find it all, all so amusing
Mistakes are just lessons in disguise; learn from them along the way.
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh no, no, not me
I did it my way
Don’t be a wuss. If you’re not giving life your absolute best, you’re wasting your talents. Don’t be a benchwarmer on the sidelines of life. Grab life by the balls and wrestle it into submission, but do it YOUR way.
For what is man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
Self-discipline is key. If you can’t hold yourself accountable, how can you possibly trust anyone else to do the same? Be certain of who you are and embrace what makes you unique, as our differences often tend to be some of our greatest strengths.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
Say what you mean; people appreciate transparency and honesty. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind rather than just kneeling and taking whatever it is people throw your way.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Nobody is exempt; everyone will stumble and fall at some point, but that’s just a part of life. What matters is that you embrace the lessons you’ve learned from the blows you took and use them to better yourself.
And did it my way
Don’t be afraid to do things your way. Own what you do and be confident in yourself. Maintaining your unique individualism & independence through your work will ensure you leave behind a long-lasting legacy, just like Frank.
Frank Sinatra will forever be one of the influential musicians in American history. “My Way” is an unapologetic ode to living life on your own terms and refusing to back down from the challenges that face us all.
