Here’s a little secret…
I have this thing I do where I take a song I’m listening to and put a unique twist on it, creating a whole new perspective.
So I found myself doing this while gallivanting the streets of NYC, bumpin’ “Started from the Bottom” by Drake.
(if you ain’t familiar)
And the lyrics, courtesy of Rap Genius:
http://rapgenius.com/Drake-started-from-the-bottom-lyrics
Here’s the, well, interesting interpretation that I developed. It’s mostly related to the chorus and the bridge at the end.
If you want to throw a label on it, it’s a “spiritual” (whatever that means) interpretation.
Note: The lyrics (especially the chorus) can be applied to making progress in virtually anything. From improving your pimp game, to building a school in a third world country. But here’s my “spiritual” spin on it. I’m not saying that Drake meant this with the song, it’s just another way of interpreting it. It’s also an open invitation for people to come up with their own unique/ridiculous/hilarious interpretations of songs.
Here’s the lyrics to the chorus:
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now my whole team fuckin’ here
Started from the bottom = Started out just identifying with the lower self, the mind, the ego. Survival-based and materialistic. Absorbed by the ego. Limited awareness and perspective on things. Animalistic and reactive. A slave to incessant brain chatter and ego. If you’re familiar with chakras, it’s an overemphasis of the lower chakras (root and sacral). Watch this video for a great intro on chakras. Really cool stuff.
now we’re here= Now in touch with the *higher self. Gained some higher/broader awareness. Transcended the ego-driven existence of the lower self. Now living with spiritual awareness and consciousness. In tune with our essence.
*Wait… What’s this “higher self” thing?
Higher self is basically an eternal, omnipotent, conscious, and intelligent being, who is one’s real self. It is our essence, or who we really are. It’s the God within us, if you will. We’re not our thoughts. We’re not our mind. We’re the consciousness behind it. You know when you draw your perception back and observe your thoughts? Higher self is the one doing the observing.
Started from the bottom now my whole team fuckin here = The entire being is now an integrated and balanced (ie “my whole team fuckin here”). Started out embodying only the lower chakras and ego; now incorporating all of the chakras (the whole team) and regaining connection with the spiritual realms/higher self. Realigned with consciousness, the Universe, God, essence, pure love, or whatever you want to call it.
For example, take someone who was always worried about the future. They constantly played out scenarios in their mind and worried about what others would think (ego). But now they’re aware of what their mind is doing. They’ve connected to their higher self and drawn back their perspective. This allows them to transcend the brain chatter, stop playing out future scenarios in their head, and live in the moment. They can now “go with the flow” and live more fluidly.
And the bridge:
No new niggas, nigga we don’t feel that
Fuck a fake friend, where your real friends at?
We don’t like to do too much explainin’
Story stayed the same, I never changed it
No new niggas, nigga we don’t feel that = Don’t need external gratification. Taking responsibility for one’s self. Being in control of one’s own internal state and happiness.
Fuck a fake friend, where your real friends at? = Fake friends = ego, mental chatter, materialism, fear…etc. Real friends = higher self, consciousness, awareness, inner peace, happiness, love…etc.
We don’t like to do too much explainin’ = Walking the walk as opposed to just talking the talk. Experiencing as opposed to theorizing. Intuitively understanding and feeling through first-hand experience. The mind theorizes, the “spiritual” self experiences.
Story stayed the same, I never changed it = Living in the moment and taking life as it goes. Living unfiltered. Living in the now. Being like water. As opposed to living in the past or and holding onto a perceived version of what already happened. Or living in the future and worrying about what might hypothetically happen.
Whoomp, there it is. That’s my so-called “spiritual” take on “Started from The Bottom” in a nutshell.
See, you can put your own unique spin on anything. Remember, perception is reality. Maybe next I’ll come up with a way to learn meditation listening to Back That Azz Up. You never know…
BONUS! Some more spins on “Started from the Bottom…”
1. Pullups – Started from the bottom (of the rep) now we’re here…
2. Hiking a mountain – Started from the bottom (of the mountain) now we’re here…
3. Taking an elevator up – Started from the lobby now we’re here…
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Can you think of any other unique twists or “Started from the Bottom” scenarios? Leave em in the comments below. This could be good.
