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Being happy is more often about where we choose to focus than it is about our circumstances. There are people surrounded by blessings which should make them feel happy, but instead they focus on things that make them feel unhappy. Then there are others surrounded by challenges and difficulties, yet they seem to gravitate to the few bright spots that allow them to feel happy. 

I know that I’ve shared this Carol Channing video before, but the message is so worth repeating. The song “Before The Parade Passes By” is from the Jerry Herman Broadway musical “Hello Dolly”. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to the intro and the song in this vintage recording and then see if it speaks to you the way it does to me. You can read all the lyrics below.

The message is universal and gets to one of those potential “Begin with Yes” opportunities that many of us miss. Far too often we put off our dreams for another day. And then another day and then another… until one day we realize we’ve let way too many parades pass us by. My wish for you is that you begin to pay attention, not only to your own dreams and hearts desires but that when you hear a parade coming, this time say YES! 

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Here are a few other versions in the hope that one of them will provide the inspiration you need:

 

Lyrics: Before the Parade Passes By

Before the parade passes by
Before it goes on, and only I’m left
Before the parade passes by
I’ve gotta get in step while there’s still time left
I’m ready to move out in front
Life without life has no reason or rhyme left
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I wanna hold my head up high
I need a goal again
I need a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by…
Before the parade passes by
I’ve gotta go and taste Saturday’s high life
Before the parade passes by
I’ve gotta get some life back into my life
I’m ready to move out in front
I’ve had enough of just passing by life
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I can hold my head up high
For I’ve got a goal again
I’ve got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by