If you have resilience, you’re bouncin’ back. Furthermore, you’re gonna come back stronger and more determined. That’s because you’ve figured out how to take care of yourself.
Re·sil·ience, noun: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
In 2001, American rapper, songwriter, and actor, Michael Lawrence Tyler, known as Mystikal, recorded a song that describes the resilience of man. It was produced by The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo. The song Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall) is an inspiration to anyone who has struggled with people or situations.
This extremely rhythmical piece has a heavy beat that makes it hard to sit still. It feels poetic to me, although some might find it difficult to read. However, my hope is you’ll listen and find strength in its message.
Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against the Wall)
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
I really be throwin’ my words, standing ’em up, and jammin’ on the one.
That ain’t nobody but Neptunes bammin’ on the drum.
Swift flip-kicks landing from the tongue.
More dramatic than Batman and Robin.
Ba na na na na na.
The one that be handling they business, be sharper than a thumbtack.
The one that be dropping these albums, showing ’em how to come back.
And, you gon’ respect me and appreciate where I run at.
You ain’t gone piss me off, cause you sorry that you done that.
I gets meaner, badder, stronger, and ferocious.
You don’t even wanna see the rest.
I’m coming back mo’ fearless, mo’ determined and focused.
I ain’t even started yet.
So if you ain’t ready, you better get ready.
I know I do it better when I’m being opposed.
Ah, stick ya chest out, keep your chin up,
‘Cause sometimes you gotta get knocked down to get up.
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
No matter what happened that’s only once, it’s shame on you.
You come up in here and do it again, then it’s shame on me.
Sometimes we be getting in trouble, we didn’t wanna learn.
Sometimes we getting in trouble, we ain’t gon’ see.
I accept my wins just like the way that I fail.
I grow, I take ’em in stride and put ’em under my belt.
I’ve learned from you just like you learned from me.
I plead, I pray for peace, and perfect harmony.
Somebody said fool you better keep on rapping.
Stop that trippin’, cause it ain’t gone happen.
I told them, look you better mind yo’ business.
Change yo’ way of thinking, and keep on living.
Done started some trouble and you ain’t been out since,
Cause you stuck inside scared, watching CNN.
Just take the precaution, so yo’ life will be better.
Tell my friends to call me, I ain’t accepting no letters.
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
You heard about me, yeah you had to.
Hmm-huh, I know you changed ya mind, you ain’t the only one with bad news.
I know that they made you feel strange, huh?
You was right in the middle complainin’ and forgot what you was cryin’ bout.
It could be you time and it might be.
You can’t do nothing about it, it’s God will. That’s just how life be.
One day it hit ‘cha, then it’s gone.
And, I’m serious, and you ain’t never even gone feel it until it hit home.
That’s when the pain run sharper and deeper.
You ain’t eat; that’s when the days feel slow and long.
I know you miss ’em, so it’s time to uplift ’em.
Try to pick the pieces up and find a way to drive on.
I tell you the truth, so don’t lie to me.
Get back Satan, don’t bother me.
And, that’s the way it’s gotta be.
And, I’m real as ever, so I hope you proud of me.
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
You keep bumping me against the wall. Yeah, I know I let you slide before. but, until you’ve seen me, trust me, you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!
You keep bumping me against the wall, you keep bumping me against the wall, you keep bumping me against the wall…
(You ain’t seen bouncin’ back!)
Still here? Good. Think about this anthem when you’re about to turn things around. By all means, we’re gonna get through this together. Yeah, “you ain’t seen bouncin’ back!”
Read the Dance Safari post, “This Too Shall Pass – You Cannot Defeat Me“.
Thanks!