Let’s Face the Music and Dance

A dear friend used the phrase “Compassion Fatigue” a couple of nights ago and it fit so perfectly. Most all of us are walking about in some sort of malaise that isn’t without merit considering the things that have been occurring in and around the world recently. But, if I may, I’d like to attempt to throw some perspective on what we are feeling, hopefully without undermining it.

It is unrelentingly true that the world can be a really scary, unpredictable place. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. The more I live, the more I realize that life is full of surprises.

That last sentence can be read as jam packed full of restrained  derision or abounding in hope. That will tell you the state of your heart.

In this information age, we are inundated with messages of fear and doom. There are wars, threats of war, bombings, floods, hurricanes, refugees crises, poverty, fires, lies that are being uncovered, loss. So much loss. How are we expected to live with any sense of dignity?

Well, it’s tough. We are to be compassionate. We are to be involved. We are to be helpful. We are to be agents of change. But, we need not give ourselves such a degree of self importance, that we start to think that we are the first to go through difficult things. In humanities timeline, difficult things have always occurred. It has happened in the past, it is happening now, and it will continue to happen long after we are gone from here. When we start to understand our place in the world, we can start to connect with the questions: “What’s my contribution going to be?” Be a change maker, but don’t lose hold of Humility.

I want to be someone who, well into my 80’s or 90’s, can look back and say I created a lot that younger people can be inspired by, that will inspire Hope, and Love, and Joy! I want to be someone that people can run to for Inspiration. I want to be someone that smiles and says, “It’s going to be okay. You are so Loved. Don’t run away and don’t hide. Go out and create – write, speak, paint, make music, sing, dance, love, marry, have children, laugh, play, inspire. You can do it, Darling!”

As Frank Sinatra ever so jovially says,

“There may be trouble ahead. But while there’s moonlight and music and love and romance, Let’s face the music and dance.”

Now, go listen to that song, get a fire in your belly, a spring your step, go out and be amazing!