A friend of mine listened to “Exodus” recently and shared his gratitude for the truth in the music. He specifically mentioned the part of the song where I talk about how society is increasingly “glued to the screen,” whether it be the TV, our computers, or, of course, our ever-conveniently-presentf mobile devices. He then asked me, “What would you say is the deeper meaning of the song?” 

I started to reply, “Well, it’s all there.” There are several meanings. But as I consider his question more deeply, one central theme did emerge. The Eye of the Storm. 

Legend has it that my grandfather, Ralph DeVaul, may he eternally Rest In Peace, said that we have to always be in the eye of the storm. He was referring of course to hurricanes. These violent tempests wreak havoc and destruction. How much destruction? A category 5 hurricane has wind speeds exceeding 157+ miles per hour! Catastrophic damage. 

But at the very center of the hurricane is its “eye.” Here, there is little to no wind, clear skies above. It is the calmest and most peaceful area of the storm. Science says that the eye forms because the strong surface winds that gather towards the center never actually reach it. 

Of course, as the hurricane moves so does the eye. So while the eye may be peaceful, it will travel and eventually pass over, with the destructive part of the storm preceding and following it. Let the record reflect I’ve never experienced a hurricane in person.

However, I think this is what Grandpa meant by staying in the eye of the storm. Shit is always gonna be swirling around us. Negativity, conflict, current events…the world can be a chaotic place. And if we allow ourselves to get caught up in all of these externalities, then we give ourselves up to destruction; we become entrenched in the chaos. 

Our goal should be to stay centered and not get swept away in the madness. For example, in “Exodus” I say, 

“We’re constantly inundated with messages 

About how we should look and speak, 

What we should be doing, 

What to think, 

How we should dress. 

The exodus from these external messes 

Is to stare deeply into your reflection.” 

Remain centered. Focus on yourself. Look in the mirror in moments of deep introspection and reflection. Only then can we filter through, or more adeptly block out, all of the noise. 

But how do we remain in the peaceful part of the storm when the storm is always moving? Precisely. We have to move with it. 

There’s a quote that resonated with me a while back. I’ve since forgotten who it’s attributed to or the exact phrasing, but the sentiment is this. “Show me a man who has spent a life in quiet reflection, cloistered away in silent contemplation, and I’ll show you a man who has never lived.” 

There is an art to living. Consider what we mean when we say that someone has had a “life well-lived.” Despite all of the obstacles thrown that person’s way, all of the ups and downs, all of the challenges and successes and the in-betweens, that person was regarded as having a steady demeanor and good outlook. Their highs didn’t elevate them to the highest stations of the heavens. Their lows didn’t drag them all the way to the depths of hell. They moved through life with aplomb and dexterity, ever present. 

Thus, we are able to remain in the peaceful eye of the storm when we adapt and move through life, nay. When we move WITH life. In every instance, with proper reflection, we are able to find the eye of the storm. In “Exodus” I said, 

“On the way to work, we hope it’s no traffic. 

And if the path happens to be jammed up, 

We be like “Dammit, why me? 

For real hurt. 

As if we like our jobs on any other day 

Than the fifteenth and the first. 

Word” 

Can you find peace while running late for work and stuck in a traffic jam? If so, even though traffic is gridlocked, you are moving with life, peaceful in the eye.

Peace and Love,

Rankofa

Check out the song “Exodus” above and let me know what you think about all of this!