A Dream of a Better World" is a song I wrote and a video I created to capture a vision of hope and peace. This project has been a powerful reminder of how important it is to focus on inner peace to create outer happiness.
For me, this song is a personal health and happiness booster. It's a reminder that even in a noisy world, we can find a quiet place inside through meditation and visualization. By allowing ourselves to dream of a world filled with kindness and love, we're not just wishing—we're actively boosting our own spirits and contributing to a more positive world.
The lyrics and visuals in the video are a simple reflection of my belief that big change starts with a single thought. I hope this song inspires you to hold on to your own dreams for a better world, just as I'm holding on to mine.
I invite you to take a few minutes to listen and feel the message. Let it be a source of calm and a reminder that your dreams have the power to create a better world, one person at a time.
Peace is not a destination we travel to, but a dream we carry in our hearts until it becomes the world we walk on. -Ashley Goodale
It’s easy to feel stuck when you’re on the opposite side of the world from the person you love. I’m here in Manila, and he’s all the way in London. On the days when the distance feels heaviest and I just want to stay in bed, my boyfriend has a way of knowing exactly what to do.
He doesn't "come over," but he sends a message that instantly pulls me out of my rut. Our anthem, born from the song I wrote, feels more real than ever:
"Yo, you up?... Ditch the house."
It's a simple phrase, but from him, it's a call to action. He knows I need to get out of my head and mentally close the thousands of miles between us. It isn't about a specific destination; it's about the act of choosing to be together and leaving my worries behind.
This is the beauty of our relationship, and it’s what I love most about the song. It perfectly captures how he helps me find my happiness, even across continents. The lyrics that follow are what we live by:
> "Gotta get out, gotta have a chill day,
> Spend some time with you, doing whatever, just doing what we wanna do."
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It's a reminder that my happiness isn't something I have to find on my own. It's something we build together. Our favorite thing to do is for him to read a book to me. He'll read a chapter of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff About Love" by Richard Carlson, and with every chapter he reads, we share each other's insight. It’s a simple, intimate way to connect that makes the distance disappear. The song’s most honest and powerful line is:
> "Nothing could be better than just being together."
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My boyfriend is more than just my partner; he is my "health and happiness booster." He reminds me that the best things in life are simple and that the greatest moments aren’t planned—they just happen when you have the right person beside you, no matter how many time zones away they are. This song isn't just a mood; it’s our story, and it’s a constant reminder of how we find joy in the little things.
Our love story proves that distance isn't measured in miles, but in moments. The song I wrote and the book he reads are our bridges. - Ashley Goodale
In the hustle and bustle of Pasay City, amidst the vibrant energy of Metro Manila, it's easy to get caught up in our own daily routines, our own thoughts, and our own perspectives. We're constantly bombarded with information, opinions, and headlines that can sometimes feel more divisive than unifying.
But what if there was a simple, heartfelt message that could cut through the noise? A melody that reminds us of our shared humanity and the profound power of understanding?
Meet "A Mile in My Shoes" – an acoustic folk-pop song that isn't just catchy, but carries a deeply resonant and universally important theme: empathy.
(Verse 1)We're so good at talking, we're so good at knowingThe answers to everything, where the wind is blowingWe draw our lines, we build our walls, we stand our ground so highBut we forget to look at the world through a different set of eyes.
These opening lines immediately strike a chord. How often do we find ourselves confident in our own answers, firmly planted on "our ground"? Whether it's online debates, family discussions, or even just navigating different experiences in a crowded mall, we're often quick to judge or dismiss what we don't immediately comprehend. The song gently calls us out, reminding us of the walls we inadvertently build when we forget to simply see.
(Pre-Chorus)'Cause we're all just searching for the same old thingA little kindness, a place where we belong, a reason to sing.
And here lies the beautiful truth that binds us all. Beneath the differing opinions, the varied lifestyles, and the unique challenges faced by each person walking down EDSA, we share fundamental human desires. We all crave kindness, a sense of belonging, and moments of joy that give us "a reason to sing." This pre-chorus is the gentle bridge that leads us to the song's most powerful invitation.
(Chorus)So put on my sneakers, and walk a mile in my shoesSee the world through my window, feel the joy, feel the bluesMaybe then you'll understand why I am who I amAnd I'll put on yours, we'll walk and we'll learn, hand-in-handJust for a moment, let's trade places, you and me'Cause the only way to connect is to truly see.
This is the heart of "A Mile in My Shoes." It’s a direct, almost tangible plea for empathy. Imagine literally swapping lives for a moment – experiencing the daily commute of a call center agent, the challenges of a market vendor, or the dreams of a young student in Pasay. Seeing the world through another's "window" isn't about agreeing with everything, but about feeling their experiences – their joys and their blues. It's about recognizing that true connection begins with genuine understanding.
(Verse 2)You think I'm fast, I think you're slow, we're standing on separate sidesYou're a story I've never read, a path I've never triedWe see the surface, the quick reaction, the things that make us madBut we miss the history, the journey, the battles that we've had.
This verse is a poignant reminder to look beyond superficial judgments. In a city where life moves at a thousand different paces, it’s easy to label someone as "fast" or "slow." But every person carries a "history, a journey, the battles that they've had." This depth often remains unseen if we only focus on the "surface" or "quick reaction."
(Bridge)We don't need to agree on everything, we don't need to be the sameBut we can try to find the fire behind the smoke, to whisper each other's nameAnd just for a second, lose our labels, our titles, and our prideAnd look at the person standing right there on the other side.
The bridge offers crucial wisdom: empathy isn't about erasing differences. It's about respecting them. It's about stripping away the "labels, our titles, and our pride" – the very things that often prevent us from truly seeing the "person standing right there on the other side." It's about recognizing the shared spark of humanity, the "fire behind the smoke," in each of us.
Why "A Mile in My Shoes" Resonates Universally
This song's strength lies in its beautiful simplicity. The language is accessible, the imagery clear, and the message profoundly human. In an age of complexity, it offers a straightforward path to better understanding. Its acoustic folk-pop style lends itself to storytelling, making the narrative of connection even more impactful. It's an anthem for kindness, patience, and the powerful act of truly seeing one another.
Let's Talk About It!
"A Mile in My Shoes" serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder of the importance of empathy in our daily lives. In the bustling metropolis of Pasay City, where diverse lives intersect at every turn, this message is more vital than ever.
What does "walking in someone else's shoes" mean to you?
Can you recall a time when understanding another person's perspective changed your own?
How can we practice more empathy in our daily lives, even amidst the fast pace of Metro Manila?
True connection isn't built by a bridge of shared beliefs, but by the courage to walk a mile on a path you've never known, just to see the world from their side of the road. -Ashley Goodale
