Adaptation

There's not a person I know who hasn't made some comment
in the last year that could be paraphrased this succinctly;
"Life never really turns out like you think it will, does it?"

The common theme and the universal nature of this conclusion
doesn't have to be dark or depressing; it's a simple assessment
of shared human predicament. I have made a certain peace that
the dreams and plans I had will (mostly) not come true.

That doesn't mean defeat; I still forge ahead on some matters
while other, less realistic ones that have born fruit have been
slowly released. And I find new interests, new focus, new joys.

It's hard to balance between striving and fervently desiring,
and yet not being so married to ideas and notions that you
can't go on when expectations aren't met! Many people wrap
themselves up in a cloak of identity that revolves around a
job, a relationship, a place...and have extraordinarily tough times
coming to grips with a loss or change regarding them.

But, there are disappointments in every life, and most of us are
not going to be the next Oprah. Of course, in order to be the next
Oprah (which of course would be 'the first YOU',) you have to
believe in a dream 100%...as it should be. But there may come a
time where you have to face some cold hard truths--decide whether
you will rededicate of go a new path.

The business of life--filled with sickness, loss, death, drained finances,
setbacks, and betrayals--does not run on a smooth track. Some are
lucky, most are not. Hard work has shit to do with it; plenty of hard
working fools failed miserably.

I think those people that go on TV (celebrities, the wealthy, artists, etc.)
who give this big toothy grin about being so incredibly happy and fulfilled
and how everything in their life is perfect--I think they're full of shit.
I think they're either lying because they have an image to maintain, a
studio to please, they're trying to convince themselves, or something else
is wrong.

That, or, for that briefest of moments, while the cameras are rolling,
they're on a high, or in a good place the day of the interview, where
they really mean what they say. But it's just a blip on the radar. I don't
think I'm being cynical--I have just seen way too many people beaten
down and reduced to 'merely surviving' when all the bells and whistles stop.

As the man said: "Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."

It could all be over at any time, or our privilege could be eradicated
at any time. The key is to pick up the pieces and move forward with it.

Evolve or Die!

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