Big Yellow Taxi
This post was written by my student, Margot Bearden. If you’d like to be a guest writer, I’d love to hear what you’ve got to say! Please send me your thoughts at insideoutyoga@va.metrocast.net. For now, enjoy Margot’s post!
“Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. They paved paradise, put up a parking lot.” ─ Joni Mitchell, 1970
As long as I can remember, I’ve looked to music as both a journal of and a roadmap for my life. I don’t read as much straight-up poetry as I should, but I find constant inspiration, joy, and heartache in the lyrics of my musical heroes.
Joni Mitchell penned Big Yellow Taxi in 1970 as a poignant reminder of the risks we face in losing the things we take for granted. Her lyrics resonate deeply as a timeless call to cherish elements of life that seem permanent but are, in reality, fleeting.
In recent months, my awareness of this message has been profoundly heightened. Life offers countless examples of impermanence and I’ve been reminded again how precious and valuable aspects of life—and even life itself—can be swiftly taken from us.
Many of you are aware that my nearly 98-year-old mother passed away just two days before Christmas. The inevitability of her passing did little to ease the weight of my grief. Despite knowing the conclusion was unavoidable, the pain of her loss remains palpable and threw me into a dark and scary emotional place for most of January and remains close every day. Her passing serves as a reminder that even those constants in our lives, such as loved ones, can be taken away, leaving a void that’s difficult to fill.
In addition to the loss of my mother, the recent alarming shifts within the American and global landscape have shaken my core assumptions about what I can expect from life as a transgender individual in this country. Any sense of security, acceptance, and progress that once seemed inevitable now looks precarious at best. These societal transformations are challenging my expectations and forcing me to confront the reality that the rights and respect we all fight for can be jeopardized in an instant, something I hadn’t considered as fully until my transition.
Joni’s words echo in my mind as I navigate today’s turbulent waters (not least because Alexa keeps her front and center on Margot’s playlist!). They’re a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and appreciation for what we have. They encourage us to acknowledge the beauty and significance of our surroundings and relationships before they’re altered or lost. Very personally, I’m continually reminded and astounded how much the InsideOut Yoga community here in the Northern Neck has meant to me these last few years…and I continue to lean on you as well as my yoga and mindfulness practices every day to keep myself together. I hope you know I’ve got your back too.
Impermanence is a reality we all grapple with. Whether it’s the loss of a beloved family member or friend, or the shifting tides of societal norms, these experiences underscore the importance of valuing and protecting what we hold dear. I obviously can’t bring back loved ones or single-handedly cure societal ills, but I plan to take Joni’s advice and not wait until the parking lot is built to recognize my many precious moments in paradise.