I was fifteen when The Eagles released their song “Take It to the Limit.” Just typing those words brings the melody to mind; it has that strong of a hook. Some songs are like that.
The song was unique because it was one of the rare times that base player Randy Meisner took the lead vocals. Typically, Meisner sang the higher harmonies on most of their albums. This song, however, needed his upper vocal range, and he carried that song into the rafters every time he was on stage.
Randy Meisner died July 26th at age 77. Most news platforms paid appropriate tributes to his legacy. NBC shared an interview where the famously shy band member spoke about his big hit.
“My take on ‘Take it to the Limit’ is to keep trying, especially before you reach a point in your life where you feel you’ve done everything.”
I think of this in a couple of different ways. First, if you have a singular passion, whether it be writing music or becoming a foster parent, stick with it. Take your commitment to the limit. That singular focus should bring success. Be patient and take the dream as high as you can.
I also apply it to people who want to see and do it all (metaphorically speaking). Without getting into too much “pop psychology” about it, I think of it as taking your overall life’s journey to the limit.
I recently saw a story of two friends on the news. They are both 81-year-old women, who decided to travel around the world in 80 days as a nod to the iconic book written in 1872, or the movie I guess which came out in 1956. They succeeded, even working around a global pandemic.
I get it. That type of high energy choice is not for most of us. But it illustrates exactly what Meisner was saying about trying until you reach your “I’ve done everything, I’m too old for that” stage. That stage is on a spectrum. It’s just not a green light or a red light. Clearly, the women are at one end of that spectrum, but there’s a whole middle section, smaller in scope, which may still be worth trying; worth saying yes to. That spoke to me and I knew it would become my first post as I return to the blog.
Meisner’s message actually parallels my whole theme this year, which I referenced in January. I called it my #liveagreatstory year. Briefly, “Live a Great Story” is a movement. It initially started through Instagram, where people shared photos (usually travel) of what they believe is a great story.
There are other ways to approach this goal, though. It could be starting a business, being a teacher, or just trying to enjoy the moment. It is solely based on the person and what that phrase means to them.
After randomly finding a “Live A Great Story” sticker on a beach shower pole, I wrote in January that I wanted to try to do that in 2023. I hoped to both find and try something new, something engaging this year. I wanted to experiment with that line of thinking (although I’m not parachuting out of a plane!)
I would say the biggest experiment I’ve taken on so far was to enroll in an online Independent Study writing course for a month this summer. The instructor was kind, accessible… and tough. I felt like I was in writing boot camp, but honestly, that was precisely where I wanted to be. Her questions and feedback probed, re-directed, and with a little guidance on “tone”, I re-wrote entire sections of an ongoing project. She responded with enthusiastic approval. The content I sent her is absolutely at a higher level because of her.
Live a Great Story is a wonderful idea, but there is room for Meisner’s take. My “taking it to the limit” might be as simple as saying “yes” to as many things I’d like to try. I’m not ready to face all red lights yet.
Luckily, that same classic song is so familiar, it can serve as a personal reminder for us. It can nudge us when we hear it on the radio, or streaming or even in an ad. It will encourage us to think about what it means to each of us to take it to the limit.
“So put me on a highway
Show me a sign,
Take it to the limit
One more time.” (And maybe one more time after that…)
If you are new to the song, or want to reminisce:
Leavingthedooropen.com 
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