Happy Birthday Bob! You are still loved!

I’m guessing not many people would know that today is  the birthday of one of the greatest Dude’s of all history – Mr. Bob Marley himself.

NOTE: for the sake of having the right spirit, hit play on this video and listen to the man himself and get in the spirit he espoused as you read what I have to say therafter.

(This video, released just now in Dec. 2014, is fan-made for an initiative that will use proceeds to support the 1Love Foundation and PYE, who have come together and created a new youth empowerment camp for underserved children in Jamaica. I think Bob would have not only loved the idea but loved the video and the spirit it shows!)

Now I’m a pretty blatant Dude-ist (as the sticker on the right here proclaims with such subtlety) but basically for your knowldge, it is a philosophy of non-preachiness, taking things as they come, peace and love.
Like Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Dudeism is a non-theistic religion. That isn’t to say Dudeists necessarily don’t believe in God or a godlike power in the universe, only that passing judgment on this issue is not one of Dudeism’s goals.

With that in mind I pay tribute, on this his birthday, to one of the greatest Dudes in history – a prince amongst men who is right now chilling in whatever afterlife there may be with all the other greats like Lao Tzu, Buddha, Jesus, Vonnegut, Gandhi and others.

Such was the legacy this man left behind that his influence, his music, his lessons and ideals refuse to die even so many years after his passing and over generations.

He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate… literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people’s lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why – He said, “The people, who were trying to make this world worse… are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness.”

– Will Smith, talking about Marley’s music (I Am Legend)

What more can I say about a man like this? One who espoused nothing but love, peace and brotherhood and whose music continues to change the lives of those it touches.

So I leave you with this, a playlist of all my favourite tracks by the man, some you’ll know, others you may not. But they are all unique and timeless – so as you head out to the weekend ahead, listen to a little Bob, let the music hit you and feel no pain, bring a smile to your face and share the love and do the same to someone else.

Jah Bless!

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