so mumford & sons’ newest album babel has lit-er-lee been my workday soundtrack for the past umpteen days that end in “y” (basically since it was available for play on spotify). and rightfully so, because it’s just plain good.

and while the melodies of the banjo and marcus’ voice alone are certainly noteworthy, i think what i enjoy most about this group in particular is their lyrical genius.

some weeks ago on my way to pure barre, awake my soul popped up on my florence & the machine pandora station. and while this tune is no stranger to my listening repertoire, for whatever reason, i took careful note of the lyrics on this particular afternoon. and then later in that same evening, the subject of its lyrics came up again in conversation. no coincidence, i believe.

how fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
i struggle to find any truth in your lies
and now my heart stumbles on things I don’t know
my weakness I feel I must finally show

lend me your hand and we’ll conquer them all
but lend me your heart and I’ll just let you fall
lend me your eyes I can change what you see
but your soul you must keep, totally free
har har, har har
har har, har har

awake my soul…
awake my soul…

how fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
i struggle to find any truth in your lies
and now my heart stumbles on things I don’t know
my weakness I feel I must finally show
har har, har har
har har, har har

in these bodies we will live,
in these bodies we will die
where you invest your love,
you invest your life

In these bodies we will live,
in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love,
you invest your life

awake my soul…
awake my soul…
awake my soul…
for you were made to meet your maker

awake my soul…
awake my soul…
awake my soul…
for you were made to meet your maker
you were made to meet your maker

not that you needed reminding as i’m pretty sure many a facebook profile quote section is filled with one or more of these stanzas. but more and more, as i have connected, reconnected, severed, and reestablished ties to people, places, and things, the more the latter part of the chorus has rung true.

in these bodies we will live
in these bodies we will die
where you invest your love
you invest your life

now i’m no financial planner. i may have a 401K, but i wouldn’t know the first thing about diversifying my stock options (or something that sounds super financial planner-y), besides that’s what dads are for, duh, so perhaps i’m not the best person to offer unsolicited investment advice. but i’m not talking monetary investments, obviously, rather, the intangible deposits instead.

the investing of your time, your talents, your energy, and most importantly (and appropriately, seeing as the lyrics are a dead give away) your love. because i have to believe  that those have far greater rates of return than anything the stock market could bring you. and i believe the things that you hold most dear all but define you as a person. they are an extension of you. an extension of your life.

so invest wisely.