Today's blogging prompt is to relate a song lyric to my life. I thought about songs that I know and love and chose "Memory" from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats." The lyrics from this musical are from T.S. Eliot's book, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats."
Memory is a powerful thing. It can be a friend or a foe. For me, it has been both. I remember both positive and negative things from my past in alarming detail. Because of that, I have a difficult time forgiving myself for my misdeeds. That is, however, a short-sighted view. As humans, we are spectacularly and beautifully imperfect. Therefore, we are more than a collection of imperfections and misdeeds committed in the past. We are potential and hope and we are works in progress.
Recently, I applied for a Real Job to be editor of a local newspaper. It seemed like a good fit for me, and I had ideas on how to make the newspaper a better reflection of the community. But I didn't get the job. Which led me to wonder if I should give up my barely alive journalism career, that felt, at that moment, almost as moribund as a sputtering street lamp. The barely alive journalism career felt as if it stretched for several lifetimes in my memory that sometimes is more dramatic than accurate. It then came to me that my journalism career, like my life, is spectacularly and beautifully imperfect.
Every
street lamp seems to beat
A
fatalistic warning
Someone
mutters and the street lamp sputters
And
soon it will be morning
Not dead, however, is not dead. At the darkest moments, there is the promise of dawn, with the golden sky reflecting in the water. A new day and a new promise always lay ahead, usually feeling out of reach. Maybe I should change directions, instead of give up? Do I lose who I am if I don't get a job? Or am I still me, just without a job title? Could I transfer my journalism skills to something else? Maybe I could think about compiling an oral history or writing a novel. Life is always dynamic and never static so re-inventing oneself is always an option, as opposed to giving in and giving up.
Daylight,
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I mustn't give in
When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
I must think of a new life
And I mustn't give in
When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
I am ready for that new day. For continuing to be potential and hope and a work in progress.
In what ways would you like to reinvent yourself?
7 comments:
That song has so much meaning, not to mention your sunflowers! I never really thought about the entire song when I hear it but it's so true . When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin. When a new day begins, so do our hopes and dreams. You are such a wonderful artist, I think you should follow that dream.
When I watched the theatrical production I was not impressed, barely entertained. However, just reading the words brings the tune into my mind.
Thanks for the memories.
Too bad they didn't hire you. Our newspaper need an invigorating change.
I like to idea of reinventing oneself.When dawn comes the night was a memory.I appreciate your honesty in the article.
You are absolutely still who you are!! And I hope you will never give up on any dream you want. But reinvention is always a good thing. I believe it usually winds up meaning we become more true to who we really are.
Alice, it's so interesting that you are talking about reinventing yourself. God is currentl doing a work in me, and together, we are recrafting my personal and professional life/lives. I'm eager to hear more about your path, as it evolves.
Alice...Personally, I'd start my reinvention with my physical self: my dream self is tall-5'8",lean,lithe and indefatigable. I've started a modified Keto diet fitted to a diabetic with more than one co-morbidity. Gaining energy as I go, I am determined to get back into a life that contributes to someone other than my cat. You are an inspiring person and a joy!
I'm grateful to know you,
Deb
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