The Descendents – “Coolidge”

I went for a walk at work just now, bringing my iPod with me (as I usually do). The song “Coolidge” by The Descendents (which I have from the album Somery — a great album — though it originally appears on the album ALL) came up randomly. I’d heard it several times before, but I was struck by its lyrics, particularly the last verse:

I’m not a cool guy anymore
Left it behind, then closed the door
I know you can’t escape the past
Now I look back and have to laugh
I was my worst enemy
It almost got the best of me
What was I thinking of?
It couldn’t stay the way it was
I looked up one day and saw that
It was up to me
You can only be a victim if you
Admit defeat

I really like the last lines, “I looked up one day and saw that / It was up to me / You can only be a victim if you / Admit defeat.” That’s my new affirmation. I’m not a victim; I can and will get through this.