What is "it" about Bono? What is it about him that makes millions of people around the world love him, admire him and respect him?
This is a question that I have asked myself thousands of times over the nearly 25 years that I have followed U2. The answer has always eluded me. But, as I reflect on this question on the eve of U2's "Vertigo" tour in Chicago this week, I think that I've finally found what I'm looking for.
There are many things about the "B-man" to like. There is his incredibly openness to life - to fully appreciate and affirm every person that he meets and every experience that he has. This attribute of Bono's is the most striking feature of his that you see on your first encounter with him.
Then there is Bono's endearing sense of humor (which is often self-deprecating). This, I feel, is often Bono's BEST attribute. With his quick mind and his sardonic wit, Bono can easily turn critics into supporters, apathetics into activists and, I bet, a few agnostics into believers.
Why? Because Bono's humor levels the playing field - it knocks people off their self-proclaimed pedestals (himself included) and creates an atmosphere in which everyone is equal. And it is easier to listen to what someone has to say when you can look him in the eyes.
Of course, who could forget Bono's amazing mind which has been able to write such simple yet prolific lyrics through the last twenty-five years and which continually touch us with their honesty and their relevance in our daily lives.
Then there is Bono's Heart - a heart so big that it has almost literally thrown its arms around the world. From Bosnia to Burma, from Ulster to Uganda (and all of Africa), Bono has embraced the pain and suffering of the world's poorest and most desparate people aand has made it an INTEGRAL part of his character to uplift them and to give them Hope. And, in this process, to uplift ALL of humankind to a higher level of Compassion.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention Bono's tremendous personal charisma and good looks. Although short in stature, Bono commands your attention (and sometimes your heart) with his well-proportioned frame, perfectly chiseled good looks and piercing blue eyes. It's sometimes enough to almost make you forget about all of the B-man's other attributes.
So then, what is "it" about Bono? While all the above-mentioned attributes of Bono's are impressive, there is still ONE attribute of his that, I feel, is the main reason that makes us gravitate toward Bono.
It is Bono's endless optimism - his undaunting ability to see the light through the darkness and his enthusiasm for all of us to "go there" with him. From the beginning of U2 to the present, Bono has always held on to a worldview that "Love and Peace" interspersed with justice for ALL was possible. In this quest, Bono has used any means necessary to inspire us with the idea that we also can be part of his worldview.
At every opportunity, Bono implores us to "begin again" and to "dream out loud" and never tires in this endeavor of changing the world by changing the world inside each one of us.
And we respond to his optimism, his sense of purpose, his vision. Because deep down inside ourselves we want to believe in Bono's vision - we want to hold on to his optimism because we want to have whatever "it" is that Bono has.
And we do - deep down inside each one of us the kernel of Hope for a better world does exist. WE JUST NEEDED BONO TO BRING "IT" OUT OF US.
So THANK YOU, BONO. may you have a wonderful birthday full of the Love and Joy that you bring the world.
My only wish for you is that you will be blessed with many more birthdays. We need you in our world for as long as possible.
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Dear PLEBA,
Please feel free to post your b-day wishes, comments and pics for the B-man if you wish.
I hope you like my tribute to the man who stands tallest in our world - Bono.
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU....
This is a question that I have asked myself thousands of times over the nearly 25 years that I have followed U2. The answer has always eluded me. But, as I reflect on this question on the eve of U2's "Vertigo" tour in Chicago this week, I think that I've finally found what I'm looking for.
There are many things about the "B-man" to like. There is his incredibly openness to life - to fully appreciate and affirm every person that he meets and every experience that he has. This attribute of Bono's is the most striking feature of his that you see on your first encounter with him.
Then there is Bono's endearing sense of humor (which is often self-deprecating). This, I feel, is often Bono's BEST attribute. With his quick mind and his sardonic wit, Bono can easily turn critics into supporters, apathetics into activists and, I bet, a few agnostics into believers.
Why? Because Bono's humor levels the playing field - it knocks people off their self-proclaimed pedestals (himself included) and creates an atmosphere in which everyone is equal. And it is easier to listen to what someone has to say when you can look him in the eyes.
Of course, who could forget Bono's amazing mind which has been able to write such simple yet prolific lyrics through the last twenty-five years and which continually touch us with their honesty and their relevance in our daily lives.
Then there is Bono's Heart - a heart so big that it has almost literally thrown its arms around the world. From Bosnia to Burma, from Ulster to Uganda (and all of Africa), Bono has embraced the pain and suffering of the world's poorest and most desparate people aand has made it an INTEGRAL part of his character to uplift them and to give them Hope. And, in this process, to uplift ALL of humankind to a higher level of Compassion.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention Bono's tremendous personal charisma and good looks. Although short in stature, Bono commands your attention (and sometimes your heart) with his well-proportioned frame, perfectly chiseled good looks and piercing blue eyes. It's sometimes enough to almost make you forget about all of the B-man's other attributes.
So then, what is "it" about Bono? While all the above-mentioned attributes of Bono's are impressive, there is still ONE attribute of his that, I feel, is the main reason that makes us gravitate toward Bono.
It is Bono's endless optimism - his undaunting ability to see the light through the darkness and his enthusiasm for all of us to "go there" with him. From the beginning of U2 to the present, Bono has always held on to a worldview that "Love and Peace" interspersed with justice for ALL was possible. In this quest, Bono has used any means necessary to inspire us with the idea that we also can be part of his worldview.
At every opportunity, Bono implores us to "begin again" and to "dream out loud" and never tires in this endeavor of changing the world by changing the world inside each one of us.
And we respond to his optimism, his sense of purpose, his vision. Because deep down inside ourselves we want to believe in Bono's vision - we want to hold on to his optimism because we want to have whatever "it" is that Bono has.
And we do - deep down inside each one of us the kernel of Hope for a better world does exist. WE JUST NEEDED BONO TO BRING "IT" OUT OF US.
So THANK YOU, BONO. may you have a wonderful birthday full of the Love and Joy that you bring the world.
My only wish for you is that you will be blessed with many more birthdays. We need you in our world for as long as possible.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear PLEBA,
Please feel free to post your b-day wishes, comments and pics for the B-man if you wish.
I hope you like my tribute to the man who stands tallest in our world - Bono.
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU....
