“Who are you to judge
the life I live? I know I'm not perfect – and I don't live to be –
but before you start pointing fingers.. make sure your hands are
clean!”
An infamous quote from
an absolute legend, and in my opinion, the epitomy of the Jamaican
ideal. He represented freedom, love and the laid back attitude
that so many now aspire to capture in their own lives. He gave a
voice to the political and cultural issues of his homeland, spreading
Jamaican music and the Rastafarian movement to the masses. And now,
50 years on from Jamaica's independence, it's easy to see that the
Marley influence has weaved it's magic throughout the country, making
it one of the most exciting countries in the world.
Marley's influence on
music is sensational. The popularity of reggae music stems across
the whole world. It's the type of music that just grabs you and
pours it's way through your body... the instruments, the voice, the
words, they all just command your attention. And it isn't just the
hardcore reggae/ska music, its cast its shadow across popular music
aswell.
You only need to take a
look at the most eagerly awaited Olympic star to be reminded of the
power of Jamaica. An audience of 20million watched Usain Bolt win
Gold in the 100m final, smashing his own world record. He's been the
talk of the games. And granted, he is the fastest man in the world,
and to watch him sail through each race is exciting, but it's not
just that. Bolt is the figure of coolness, he oozes it. His casual
and jovial attitude is infectious... some call it arrogant, but I
disagree. That boyish smile he flashes after everything he does and
says reminds us that he just doesn't take himself that seriously. He
knows he's great, but he'd have to be a fool to not realise that.
And for such a small
country, it's up there with one of the most popular travel and
holiday destinations. It's a country ripe with history, with some of
the most beautiful scenaries you'll find. Gleaming beaches, mouth
watering cocktails... it's just pure relaxation and bliss. But most
of all, I think people go there to take a small slice of the
lifestyle. In a society overwhelmed by worries and fears, a country
known for their “no worries” approach to life is definitely
appealing. And rightly so! Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to sit
here and claim life in Jamaica is perfect... for years they've been
home to some of the most dangerous gangstas around, and often that
stigma refuses to let go. But how rare is it to find a country that
isn't shadowed by some form of danger in this day and age?
We could all do with
taking a leaf out of their book. There's too much trepidation about
the most miniscule things, too much worry about things that really
don't matter. Life is fragile, and it should be enjoyed without the
judgement of others or the fear of the unexpected. Afterall, in the
wise words of Mr Marley: “Don't worry about a thing, 'cos every
little thing is gonna be alright.”
