I Gotta Be Me

All through my life, my mom has been pushing this idea of "I Gotta Be Me". A few people are responsible for singing this little diddy, but I think Sammy Davis Jr.'s version was the most well-known. My mother was very concerned that we be our own person and that we did what we thought was right in life. Mom liked to sing the song to us and she used wacky hand gestures to get her point across. My sister and I would be in hysterics with laughter, but that never stopped mom.

This was similar to when mom attempted to teach us how to bowl. She was very serious about how to pick up the ball and where the fingers should go and stressed how important the approach to the foul line was. She then explained where we should aim the ball and she was very particular about a proper release with good arm extension. She went through the steps and made her way to the foul line and then she came with the arm extension and the follow-through. The only problem was that she dropped the ball behind her and it rolled slowly backwards and off the lane.

Despite these funny moments, I have tried to listen to my mother. When I was approached by young punk friends to drink, I said no. If I were asked to throw snowballs at cars, I walked away. If someone pressured me to do something that I thought was wrong, I just wouldn't back down. All the while, I remembered my mother's rendition of the beloved hit, "I've Gotta Be Me". By the way, originally the tune was known as "I've Got to Be Me" and the great Steve Lawrence swung with it, but Sammy thought that it need to be jazzed up a little and changed the title. You see, I thought that I was the only one that listened to my mom's nonsense, but I realized now that Tam did, too.

During the last year or so, I have watched as people that I knew stood by and allowed others to bully them and put forth misinformation and in some case lies. Surprising, but true! I have been frustrated by this and wondered why it is that people who are professional people, educated people could behave in such a way. I realize now, that they are just weak characters with no "I Gotta Be Me" in them. As simple as the song is, the concept is not easy and I myself have failed miserably at being me, many times in my short life. My sister has also made a few mistakes and errors in judgement, but I would submit that she did listen to mom and lived the "I Gotta Be Me" way.

Tam lived her life the way she wanted to and did what she thought was right. At times, she may have made bad decisions (I am sure that smoking is a regret), but for the most part, I believe that she made decisions based on what was right for her and her family. Tam, you are the least phony person that I know.

Click below for Sammy's

I Gotta Be Me