Happiness isn't a vacation destination

[Merelan]

Wow... I want to take credit for that line. But it is Madam Laurel's. It puts it all in perspective.
I remember a few years back, when my world felt like it was crashing down around me. When everything I cared for and loved was dying or dead. Then a song came on the radio, and I have taken it as my "theme" song. It is by Aerosmith... who would guess... and is called "Amazing". One of the lines that hit me was that "Lifes a journey, not your destination". There have been many times since then that I have said this line, and indeed the whole song, over and over in my head. To help me through a tough time, a tough minute, a bad feeling.
Her line in this monthes newsletter reminded me of that again. Sometimes it is hard to understand why we must suffer the things we do. Why things all seem to go wrong at the same time. Friends try to help, but they offer cliches. Well meant cliches, but they are that just the same.
So, the purpose of this thread, and there is one. (I know we have done numerous song threads.) But, if there was one line from a song, a book, a prayer or poem, or wherever it came from that inspires you. Makes you feel that special way again. Helps you through those crappy, dark, grungey days. What is it? And where does it come from?
I know this is kind of personal, and you don't need to tell the story of when you heard or read it first, but... there seems to be so many sad , bitter, unhappy people here lately. And I thought, maybe it would help them to know, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it might be you.

 

[CreamyLady]

A line from one of the Mrs. Pollifax books by Dorothy Gilmore:

There are no happy endings; only happy people.

That does it for me. Making another person responsible for one's happiness is a horrible thing to do to a loved one. Looking for the "happy ending" is a crock, too. Endings are FINAL -- the end -- there is no more!

The choice to be happy, in the teeth of a cyclical depression, is a rough one, but in the long run it pays. In the end, one does not have to be miserable, or inflict misery. One can hunker down through the worst of it, knowing in oneself that it will get better. It works for me.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

I'm not exactly sure where these came from, probably a combination of something I read in a magazine and made up in my head.

The one I say to myself most often, "You're ok, sweetheart." It relaxes me cause when my mom's not around to help make everything right, it reminds me of her - like some omnipotent voice that knows everything is going to be all right.

And the one for when things are looking really bleak, "You've lived through worse shit than this." Because I can think of many past times where I've been so miserable I thought I would die, that nothing could be worse than this moment, so I suppose I try to hold on to that. It was the supreme low point, so things have to get better. And if you survived that, then this should be a cinch, right?

 

[Jeff726]

I always think of this Dream Theater song called "Take The Time". It helped me to put aside all the petty bullshit in my life when my dad passed on. So without any further delay here ya go.

"Just let me catch my breath...
I've heard the promises
I've seen the mistakes
I've had my fair share of tough breaks
I need a new voice, new law, a new way
Take the time, reevaluate
It's time to pick up the pieces,
Go back to square one
I think it's time for a change

There is something that I feel
To be something that is real
I feel the heat within my mind
And craft new changes with my eyes
Giving freely wandering promises
A place with decisions I'll fashion
I won't waste another breath

You can feel the waves coming on
(It's time to take the time)
Let them destroy you or carry you on
(It's time to take the time)
You're fighting the weight of the world
But no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind

The unbroken spirit
Obscured and and disquiet
Finds clearness this trial demands
And at the end of this day sighs an anxious relief
For the fortune lies still in his hands

If there's a pensive fear a wasted year
A man must learn to cope
If his obsession's real,
Suppression that he feels must turn to hope

Life is no more assuring than love
(It's time to take the time)
There are no more answers from voices above
(It's time to take the time)
You're fighting the weight of the world
And no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind

I close my eyes
And feel the water rise around me
Drown the beat of time
Let my senses fall away
I can see much clearer now I'm blind

(bridge)

You can feel the waves coming on
(It's time to take the time)
Let them destroy you or carry you on
(It's time to take the time)
You're fighting the weight of the world
But no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind

Find all you need in your mind
If you take the time (x2)"

So there is a song that helps me say to myself, "Hey Jeff, take a step back and start over slower. You're in no hurry. Life will get better soon enough." I thought this might help some other people too. Hope it did.

 

[Mortto56]

Another Aerosmith song:"Love in an Elevator"
Every time I hear that song,makes me want to F*#K.
Plus it has one hell of a beat.

 

[Nicole]

You know why I love Aerosmith so much??? Because most of their Music has a hidden message in it.

Merelan, everything you said is so true, and I truly do think that you have opened my eyes to some deep feelings that I have right now.

Thank-you

 

[Merelan]

Just trying to share how I felt. Most everyone has something that keeps them strong, that helps them through.

Aerosmith.. like them too, though mostly their hidden message is about sex, but hey, nothing wrong with that! I just never knew that an Aerosmith song could mean so much to me, don't tell my Mom.

 

[Starshine]

I have a quote that I always live by whether I do it or think it....

"There is within yourself...to give it one more try..."

I'm not sure where it comes from, but it helps me through things. However I have one very special person who has been there for me so many times...no matter how difficult I can be or how bad a situation is an that person is Merelan a very beautiful, caring person...

 

[Nicole]

Aerosmith.. like them too, though mostly their hidden message is about sex, but hey, nothing wrong with that!

Well I didn't say it was a message of significance did I??? I said a message LOL

 

[lala]

my signature

it came from some influences, but i think i chose the specific words,anyhow, when i'm down it reminds me what life is about, and that there are always people out there to help me, and that kind of goes with the beatles' "love is all you need" i've always wanted it to be true, and for the most part it is.

sometimes you need love and a stiff drink, but the love part is the important one thank you for this thread, it has made me think,... and it's always nice to poke the hamster and get him runnin' again,... he was gettin' kinda fat anyway

 

[Siren]

NO SHIT? HAPPINESS IS NOT A VACATION DESTINATION?

 

[Ben - Beer Bear]

*Looking thru trash*

 

[Siren]

HEY GENTLE BEN.....