I love music primarily because I am defined by words and music gives words a different kind of life. All morning I have been listening to the song Ordinary People by John Legend. Listening to this song has made me think about the nature of relationships and love as a whole. 

In relationships, we often forget that no one is perfect, although we like to make ourselves believe as much. Putting unnecessary pressures and expectations on ourselves and our partners. Wanting to rush through life or certain situations, acting off of impulses and emotions, and preventing the relationship from growing and maturing at its own pace.  Never really realizing that the more pressure you put on something the more likely it is to burst. 

People, love, relationships need room to grow. To breathe. In order to fulfill their greatest potential they have to be nurtured in such a way that by trying to give it life you don’t inadvertently suffocate it.

We are automatically conditioned to protect what’s “ours” but sometimes by doing so we end up losing that which we love the most. Often learning the lesson after it’s too late. Sometimes we just have to take it slow because after all, we’re just ordinary people. Listening to this song, reminded me of this. 

 

 

Ordinary People by John Legend

 Girl im in love with you

This ain’t the honeymoon

Past the infatuation phase

Right in the thick of love

At times we get sick of love

It seems like we argue everyday

[Bridge]

I know i misbehaved

And you made your mistakes

And we both still got room left to grow

And though love sometimes hurts

I still put you first

And we’ll make this thing work

But I think we should take it slow 

[Chorus]

We’re just ordinary people

We don’t know which way to go

Cuz we’re ordinary people

Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow 

[Verse 2]

This ain’t a movie no

No fairy tale conclusion ya’ll

It gets more confusing everyday

Sometimes it’s heaven sent

Then we head back to hell again

We kiss and we make up on the way 

[Bridge] 

I hang up you call

We rise and we fall

And we feel like just walking away

As our love advances

We take second chances

Though it’s not a fantasy

I Still want you to stay

[Chorus]

We’re just ordinary people

We don’t know which way to go

Cuz we’re ordinary people

Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow

[Verse 3]

Take it slow

Maybe we’ll live and learn

Maybe we’ll crash and burn

Maybe you’ll stay, maybe you’ll leave,

maybe you’ll return

Maybe another fight

Maybe we won’t survive

But maybe we’ll grow

We never know baby youuuu and I

[Chorus]

We’re just ordinary people

We don’t know which way to go

Cuz we’re ordinary people

Maybe we should take it slow (Heyyy)

We’re just ordinary people

We don’t know which way to go

Cuz we’re ordinary people

Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we’ll take it slow

Originally published on January 6, 2011