Power Windows And Connection

April 7, 2023

Have you ever had a memory flash into your brain and it feels like it happened yesterday?

Except it was over 30 years ago?

It was 1991. Two great friends were cruising around the Bay Area on a break from studying. With the windows down, they had a new song that was blaring from the stereo. How they found this song, they were not sure. They were Bon Jovi fans at the time so perhaps it ceremoniously found them. Jon Bon Jovi was the producer of this debut album of one of his songwriters, Billy Falcon. Billy was the singer of this particular song.

Power Windows.

Have you heard of it? Probably not. For the record, it did flash into the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #35, back in the day. ;)

The two friends were soon to graduate from chiropractic college and they had their sights on their shiny futures, leaving behind the lives of impoverished students.

The song tells the story of two people, Charlie and Louis. One has power windows, one doesn’t. One has love, one doesn’t. One is happy, one isn’t.

I know that life isn’t quite that black and white. There are many shades of gray as we write the stories of our lives.

Power Windows was a simple ode to the realization that prioritizing love over material wealth is what is important in the pursuit of happiness.

I have come to know that having material success doesn’t guarantee happiness.

I have come to know that not having material success doesn’t guarantee happiness either.

What does lead to happiness?

Happiness comes from connection.

Connection to other people.

Connection to Mother Nature.

Connection to ourselves.

Connection to your values.

When I listen to the song now, it is really an anthem for connection. He called it love. I will call it connection.

You can have a relationship, a nice house and power windows in your car. Or not.

What matters is connection.

Is our world more connected than it was 30 years ago? With computers, smartphones, FaceTime and Zoom, it certainly is easier to make contact with people all over the world. However, both the design and pace of society have created situations where many feel disconnected, lonely, and isolated.

Social media doesn’t help. Being locked in your home doesn’t help. Using technology as one’s social source doesn’t help. Scrambling about, doing more than being, doesn't help.

In a world where we are more accessible to others than ever before, many feel more disconnected than ever before. One can have thousands of followers on social media and paint a picture of perfection with one’s posts but have zero real connections.

Connection seems to be fading in some sense. It seems like a daunting task to turn the world ship of disconnection back on the path of connection.

How to get back to a place of more love and connection?

Here are a few ideas how to do that:

Reach out to someone you haven’t contacted in a while. Over the phone or in person! Try initiating a meaningful conversation that is authentic and engaging. Actively listen to what the other person is sharing.

Be genuine in your intentions. Be true to your values.

Look in the mirror and see yourself with love and compassion for the beautiful Being that you are. The first connection we have is with ourselves. This needs to be strong.

Volunteer your time helping someone, no strings attached.

Make plans to bring people together! Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

Put your phone away and be fully engaged with the person you are with.

Don’t forget about the simple things. Walk in nature, noticing the birds flitting around, the leaves fluttering in the wind and the sun reflecting off the Earth’s surface. Mother Nature loves you. Love her back.

Live in the moment with your experiences. Savour them.

Don't tie your happiness to others. It's an inside job.

These ideas only brush the surface. I am sure you have other ways that also come to mind.

In the end, I have decided that you can be a Charlie or a Louis from that song from over 30 years ago. Or a combination of them. In the end, it was Louis’ connections that mattered.

Be a Louis in the world of connections.