Culture: Just Your Starting Point

 

Your family, your faith, and the world you’re born into,

Were handed to you when you made your debut.

They gave you a map, but that map is on loan,

A starting point only, not carved into stone.

 

You were born into a world that was already made,

But the life that you get is how much you upgrade.

Your culture's the seed, but you tend to your tree,

Choose wisely, choose bravely, choose how you'll be free.

 

And watch for those moments that old culture takes hold,

When you might trade in your fire just to do as you're told.

When their terms aren’t yours and you reluctantly comply,

Then the self that you are will continue to die.

 

You were born into a world that was already made,

But the life that you get is how much you upgrade.

Your culture's the seed, but you tend to your tree,

Choose wisely, choose bravely, choose how you'll be free.

 

It takes a brave heart to stand out from the crowd,

To question that chorus singing boldly and loud.

To know what was given, but then to choose you,

Risks both to be blamed and the praise you might lose.

 

So honor your roots for the gifts they may bring,

But culture’s there to serve, it’s never your king.

Use what you've been given to build something true,

Your culture's just a start, the rest is on you.

 

You were born into a world that was already made,

But the life that you get is how much you upgrade.

Your culture's the seed, but you tend to your tree,

Choose wisely, choose bravely, choose how you'll be free.