Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story

by Bono

“Once a man has acknowledged his own greatness,” he’d say, “it is imperative that it is acknowledged by all others at all times…otherwise it is extremely hurtful.”

I hold to that line attributed to Francis of Assisi, who told his followers, “Go into the world to preach the gospel and, if necessary, use words.” We need less to be told how to live our lives and more to see people living inspirational lives.

There is anyway a kind of off-color romance to a deserted seaside town in the winter, your heart’s opera scored by the sound of the tide crashing over a stony beach, shushing everything as the waves try to make up their mind whether they’re leaving or staying. White waves kissing black stones, shushing all around them.

I’ve heard it said that when somebody close dies, they leave you a kind of passing gift, some invisible will where you inherit a special blessing.

Believing I can breathe underwater…and when I surface too quickly and cannot brush off the bends, I will still want to go one step higher. Take one more gulp of salt water.