And So It Goes is trying a new tack in 2018. First, a song.
Songs have power over me. They help me recall moments I’d otherwise forget and they lift my mood (or lower it) as needed. Here’s a perky song to start off our new year together.
It’s written and performed by Andrew Gold. Thank you for being my friend.
[learn_more caption=”Lyrics are here”]
Traveled down the road and back again
your heart is true you’re a pal and a confidant
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow
Invited everyone you knew
You would see, the biggest gift would be from me
and the card attached would say,
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
I’d surely buy you a cadillac
Whatever you need, anytime of the day or night
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear, even though it’s hard to hear
I will stand real close and say,
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Let me tell you bout a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
Into the night, the Milky Way
You’ll hear me call, as we ascend
I’ll see you there, then once again
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
Whoa, tell you about a friend
(Thank you right now, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna tell you right now, and tell you again)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend
Andrew Gold got his start playing in Linda Ronstadt’s backup band.
Which got me thinking about what it means to “get one’s start.”
Is it the same as “starting over?”
Have we changed once we’ve “gotten our start,” or has our environment?
If we decide that “starting over” implies a new environment, then we could say I got “my start” at 52, when I applied to the Peace Corps, leaving my life-as-I-knew-it behind. Or when I went off to college for the first time. Heck, might as well begin in kindergarten then.
If “starting over” requires that we ourselves are changed, then, I’d consider that introductory Gestalt weekend (at age 42) when I first learned I could say “no” to the important people in my life. Really; first time! That single change brought on the proverbial s*** hitting the fan, which I write a bit more about in my next book.
Still, I don’t think of that year as “starting over.” That came the following year. I’m writing more about that too, so stay tuned.
Here’s a great quote attributed to both E M Forster and Joseph Campbell. It’s still a great quote, whomever said it first.
We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
(And willing to let go of the blog post we planned so as to have the blog post that was waiting for us.)
How about you? When did you get your start? Have you “started over” yet?
Merril Smith
Good morning, Janet. Good luck with whatever you are planning!
And Happy New Year!
Merril Smith recently posted…Past and Future: Tanka
Janet Givens
Thanks for starting us off, Merril.
Marian Beaman
Happy New Year, Janet! This is a refreshing post to glide us into the new year. My favorite quote above is the one about butterflies.
I’d go for Joseph Campbell as the author of “We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
To answer your second question, every day is a new start. Now I’ll start to make oatmeal with dried apricots on this frigid Florida day.
Marian Beaman recently posted…My Word! It’s 2018
Janet Givens
Gee, and I’d hoped my, “we must be willing to let go of the blog post we planned …” would resonate with you. I put you squarely in the “Each Day is a new beginning” camp. It is a thrilling way to live.
Do stay warm during this unusual cold snap. While we have a lovely wood stove to gather round, we also have a roof covered in snow, covering the solar panels. Woody is out now with the roof rake. Do you have a roof rake yet?
Marian Beaman
No roof rake but ice in my small patio fountain today. We leave roof work to son Joel.
Marian Beaman recently posted…My Word! It’s 2018
Janet Givens
We just returned from battening down the awnings on the yurt. 65 mph winds are on their way. How great to have a son so close.
Susan Jackson
It was easy for me to start over—to grow and change (some)—as I spent 42yrs with US Fed Govt and moved all over the world—started over everytime!! Nothing earthshattering though.
Janet Givens
What tales you must have to tell, Susan. I hope find day to listen to you tell them. Well, a few. 🙂 Stay warm down there.
Susan Jackson
Some day I hope we can meet, that would be fun!
Janet Givens
I look forward to the day, Susan. My stepson used to live in Tampa, which brought us down there now and again. Alas, you’ll have to wend your way north. But do come. We’ll get Nancy up from Mass and Dodie and Claire. Others too. We’ll have a party. And when they all go home, we can visit and you can tell me yours tales.
Susan Jackson
That would be so much fun—when it is warmer!! What is the closest airport?
Janet Givens
I’ll email you.
Laurie Buchanan
Janet — I love fresh starts and clean slates. Thankfully they arrive with the dawn of each day.
Laurie Buchanan recently posted…Ontology
Janet Givens
Yep, you are squarely in the Each Day a New Beginning camp. What a glorious way to greet the day.
Eugenia
Fresh starts are like fresh flowers – fresh as the morning dew!
Janet Givens
You too, Eugenia. You fit right in to our little cache. Welcome.
Tim Fearnside
“We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Funny, but just last night I read a quote by Robert Moss to the effect that “we must be willing to set aside plans and step out of boxes.” Given that Moss was specifically talking about synchronicity and what he refers to as “kairomancy,” (a sort of “divination” by “special moments”) — I’m inclined not to dismiss this as coincidence! (That, and that you seem to have an uncanny way of tapping into whatever I’m currently grappling with) :). Thanks for the timely brain food, Janet. I’m wondering if there are changes on the horizon?
Janet Givens
Me too. 🙂
Let me know if you notice any changes. 🙂
Janet Givens recently posted…Starting Over
Pamela
Interestingly, I realize that I ‘start over’ every day. Fresh ideas, new sentences to write, friends to hail, thoughts crystalized each day in a different way. Starting over is fun! As is this post, with great quotes. I think those who aren’t willing to “start over” often, get caught in a deep rut.
Janet Givens
Oh yes, Pam. The opposite of “starting over.” What night that actually lasted oknlike? A whole other post. Thanks for stopping by.
Kathleen Pooler
Happy New Year, Janet! What a refreshing way to kick off 2018. It is such a consolation to know we can start over anytime we’re willing to let go of what is and move onto what can and will be. Onward!
Janet Givens
Thank you Kathy. And Happy New Year to you as well. I love how you crystallized this post: … we can start over anytime …
Even in the middle of writing the blog post in Friendship I’d planned for a few months. 🙂
I trust you’re looking forward to 2018 as I am.
Joan Z. Rough
I’ve been so bad about keeping up with your wonderful posts. But we started over again by moving in November and every morning I wake up and start all over again, making each day the best that it can be. It can be hard work but Trust is an important part of how I get through times that are difficult. Thanks for you wonderful words, Janet!
Joan Z. Rough recently posted…Trusting In The New Year Ahead
Janet Givens
oh yes; trust is vital in so many arenas. Congratulations on the move, Joan. What an exciting way to start over. And welcome back. I’ve missed your no-nonsense voice.
Darlene Foster
I´ve started over many times. It is always refreshing!
Janet Givens
oh yes; trust is vital in so many arenas. Congratulations on the move, Joan. What an exciting way to start over. And welcome back. I’ve missed your no-nonsense voice.
Janet Givens recently posted…Starting Over
Janet Givens
I love the idea that what can be scary to some, others find refreshing. It’s what keeps this life of ours alive and kicking, I think. Thanks for adding that, Darlene, and welcome.