Lessons learned from Bill Withers

Bill Withers passed away March 30, 2020. He’s had a huge influence on my life from the time I was an infant. My first memories (and favorite) was my Dad singing “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers in his band. Throughout the years his music continues to bring me a level of old school, soulful wisdom that helps move me to the next step in my life.

After listening to his interview I realized the lessons we can all learn from him and many other older souls with what is going on right now. Bill grew up in an era where the blacks and whites were segregated. He grew up in a West Virginia coal mining town. He said, “When you come out of the coal mine everybody is black. Plus you’re in a very dangerous situation…… People become necessary to each other. That environment will make you want to kind of get to understand the guy working over here because you want him to be reliable.”

How can we learn from this lesson today? Whether we like it or not some of us are in a dangerous situation today with the effects of the virus. The effects are not just physical. They are emotional, loss of income, cause for uncertainty, loss of normalcy and more importantly we are being quarantined from each other. We have to stay six feet apart from one another. We are being classed as essential or nonessential.

In Bill’s experiences he went on to relate, “We had a phone and the people across the street had a fridge. They gave us ice and they used our phone.” Do we even know the people that live across the street from us? Sure we can’t go over and shake their hands and share a meal together. But we can get to know them. How could we help each other? What are their personal life experiences? What are their struggles in their strengths? People do become necessary to each other during dangerous times.

Bill, I’m thankful for the music and lessons you gave me. You’ve stated, “ Wherever you go you take yourself with you. Places don’t matter much.” This is very true. All my life experiences, the people I’ve met, the beautiful moments and the sad ones are what I’m made of. The bad experiences drive me to do better. The beautiful experiences reminds me to open my eyes to the beauty of the life I have now. We just have to open our eyes.


West Virginia Public West Public Broadcasting

“A Conversation With Bill Withers”

https://youtu.be/q1xQv6GhNSs