If this kind of perspective can sound a bit disparaging, it certainly doesn’t hold him back from being a man of great optimism and enthusiasm, attempting to squeeze the most he can out of this life. “I really believe there is great beauty and love that we are all capable of experiencing. Sometimes it’s super hard to do that because courage to seek life and love can wane at times. But I want to keep aiming my arrow in that direction. I believe it’s worth the effort.”
Smeby’s writings in words and music honestly communicate this struggle to hold onto faith and love in the midst of life’s difficulties. But they are also tempered with hope and encouragement. “You know how a runner needs a coach to tell him not to give up, to keep training, to keep working out, because it’s all going to be worth it? I’m the same way. I need people in my life to stay in my face, telling me not to give up, to keep pressing on toward my goals and dreams.”
One of those people was Grandma Bob. “She believed in me. She told me I could do anything I wanted. She demonstrated to me how to live your life serving other people, and the value of honestly sharing your story so that others can see themselves in it, and maybe for the first time, find strength and support, and not feel so alone.” Smeby wrote and recorded the song “Precious Memories” as a tribute to his Grandma Bob, something he hopes will inspire others to create tributes to people in their own lives that have affected them for good. “I want to create a community of grateful people and give them a place to say thank you to someone who has impacted their life.” Details on how to submit your own tribute are found on www.HowDoYouSayThankYou.com.
“Precious Memories” is also used prominently in the feature film “Clancy,” (www.clancymovie.com) a heart-warming story of friendship and faith released by Kelly’s Filmworks out of Louisville, KY. “I’m blown away by them using my tune in this awesome movie. And the fact that we did a music video for it is such a dream come true.” Kelly’s Filmworks even cast Smeby in their follow-up project, “The Perfect Gift,” (www.perfectgiftmovie.com) an inspiring Christmastime family film also shot in Louisville. “I’m thrilled to have acted in my first real movie role, and honored they’re using another of my tunes, ‘Emmanuel (You Are With Me)’ in the film as well.”
While he grew up surrounded by other faith-driven people, learning the value of doing life together with others, Smeby is determined to make it all matter. “I’ve been told for too long that while most of the answers to life’s uncertainties are seemingly black and white, it’s the asking of questions that is not allowed. I don’t want to believe something simply because someone told me I am supposed to—because then it’s not real for me. It might have been real for that person, but I’ve got to make it real for me. That means a redefining of words and an exploration of things mysterious.”
On this journey, he is a self-professed hypocrite. “I don’t want there to be any question of whether or not I say one thing and do another. But regardless of my broken humanity, I’m committed to seeking health and wholeness. For me, it’s the not the perfection of your walk, it’s the direction you’re going that counts.”
“I love the writers who write about their faith as well as their lack of it. People who place great value on loving themselves and others, but confess to not doing it very well. This is the kind of person I want to be. Instead of striving to be perfect (like I’ve done most of my life), I want to live in the rock solid foundation of knowing I am deeply loved, and then see how that love changes me over time.”
This isn’t to say that Mark is a poor example of how to live your life. In fact, he’s determined to not let his imperfections hold him back from being a person of influence. “It’s really important to me to give away my time, my experience, and my creativity to make a difference in the lives of other people.” One of the most significant ways he does this is through weekly prison visits he’s been doing for over a decade. “I love hanging out with those guys. We are so much alike in so many ways. We all need to know that we are loved and valued, and that what we think really matters. And even more so lately, I’m finding that we are all desperately wanting hope to be real. I want to be a megaphone of hope to the guys inside, as well as to myself. Really, to anyone who wants to listen!”
He tells about a song that came out of his experience with the guys behind bars. “I’ve met so many guys who had all their friends and family abandon them when they got incarcerated. And sadly, I’ve seen this happen outside the walls, too. When somebody messes up, people run. They don’t want to get their hands dirty.”
“I know you think this would never happen to someone like me, but I’m closer to the edge than I appear to be. I’m holding on as tight as I can, but the rope is slipping out of my hand. Don’t forget me when I fall, don’t turn your back because I’m weak. You could be the hope I need to stand again. Don’t forget me when I fall.” (Smeby/Krippayne)
“One of my most favorite writers, Henri Nouwen, has taught me that only when I know myself as unconditionally loved can I give gratuitously. He says that giving without wanting anything in return is trusting that all my needs will be provided for by the one who loves me unconditionally. This is the process I’m walking through in life—trusting that I’m loved, and as a result, giving away my life to others. The freedom to love. Isn’t this the kind of freedom all pilgrims are looking for?”
