It’s not over

…..til the fat lady sings.

If only everything were that simple, but life is not an opera, I am grateful for that on so many different levels that I won’t go in to.

Things come to an end for all kinds of reasons, there is a danger at both ends of the spectrum where we try to keep something alive like the proverbial dead horse when it has long since expired. At the other end of the scale we give up on something that has a lot of life remaining in it and walk away never realising or seeing the buried potential.

There is no easy answer, I could write a book (actually I did) on my experiences and lay out how things have transpired for me. I then give it a snappy title like, ‘Five things you need to know about depression,’ (it’s not called that) I then tell you that if you follow these five steps your life will be infinitely simpler.

The problem with doing things in this way is that on bookshelves, actual and virtual, there are thousands of five steps in every subject. The reason why there are so many is simple, there are a whole lot of us who go through a whole lot of things. Unfortunately we don’t experience the same emotions, feelings, hurts, difficulties and outcomes.

So do we stop writing and talking about our lives?

Absolutely not!

If by talking or writing in words or in songs we can help one other person to feel vindicated, normal or otherwise able to continue then it was not a wasted experience.

The human experience is a short one with repeated elements in every generation. Reading ancient texts or anything written by people about their lives from any period in history shows us the very same things going on. That is why the Psalms of David, the writings of Confucious, the musings of Rumi, the plays of Shakespeare and the songs of Bob Dylan all resonate with us today. They are expressing something of the human experience that strikes a cord within us.

The thing that changes is the setting, the backdrop is different with each generation that passes so we need to express the same truths in a setting that is understandable to the hearers. So keep writing your music, your poetry, your books and blogs, keep speaking, counselling, preaching, teaching, singing and encouraging because we need to hear it.

This thing called life is not over….yet.

One day it will be, but for now projects will finish, stages of life will end and new ones will begin. Marriages and relationships must be fought for and the wisdom to know what is to continue and what is to end in your life can only be found by you. My own personal guide is God, but sometimes I still am unsure exactly what to do, that doesn’t alter my belief that He is interested.

Books and friends are helpful, but ultimately we must make our decision and go with it.

I saw two consecutive posts on a social media site today, the first announced that “if you see that the world will end tomorrow remember that is already tomorrow in Australia.” The post immediately following announced the imminent end of the world, I love the irony of that!

For some people it is over, when you hear of someone who has taken their own life, do not be tempted to judge them based upon your viewpoint. For them at that moment, it was the best option available, each will have had their own reason for reaching that point and you will never fully understand it.

I am indebted to those close to me who reminded me often during my dark days that my life wasn’t over, that there was still a future for me and much still to accomplished and enjoyed. Thankfully I believed them.

Frankie Laine sang:

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows.

If you choose to, you can be that candle.