Tom MacDonald and Me, a Nobody with PTSD
Two very different lives, but his music hits the right spot
Tom MacDonald, so why the hell am I writing a post on my PTSD page about Tom MacDonald? Because, although we lived 2 completely different lives, the words he puts together and the beats he writes for them cross boundaries.
In the above video titled “Best Rapper Ever” Tom makes it obvious that it’s about dealing with his demons. I’ll never be a rapper, I cannot grow up to be like Tom, I’m too old for that. But the words he chooses and the inner battles going on, I can totally relate. It’s like Tom has the ability to put into words a shit ton of things I feel but cannot describe.
Does every song Tom make hit me perfectly? No, that’s just retarded. But, I will say that many to most of his songs Tom accomplishes putting things into words that that I can’t even rationalize to myself. Which leads me to the “why” I am posting about Tom.
Look, we all understand that the shit we deal with is difficult enough to rationalize in our own minds, but when someone can write a song and when we listen to it it’s like “DAMN, this guy’s really in my head” there is NOTHING more therapeutic than being able to figure out ourselves what we are dealing with. PTSD, cannot even begin to be addressed until we are able to take a step back and assess what is it that we are doing? Why are we doing it that way? Is there really a threat?
Let’s face it, there’s not taking any steps forward until we stop and take a moment to figure out where they hell we are to begin with. Much like map reading, if I don’t know where I am, there’s likely NO way that I will find where I need to go. Tom’s music not just this song, but all of his music, Tom is able to put into words issues and emotions that I can’t comprehend. Tom will likely never know me, or even how much his music has helped me. I don’t really care though Tom is a busy man doing his own thing and doing it well. I guess this is my way of saying thanks, and please keep doing what you’re doing.
It’s rare that I can point out one particular person who has helped me with my own damn PTSD without even knowing me. Tom MacDonald is the man, and the only artist in my life that I have ever actually paid to get their music. I can’t wait to get more of it. I guess I feel there’s no better way to say thank you Tom, than to actually put my money where my mouth is. Give Tom MacDonald a listen, I’m certain you’ll find what I say is true for most of us.