Shortly after the change of the year, I met an organist at the post office who often accompanies me when I sing at weddings, funerals, or church concerts. However, we hadn’t seen each other for quite a while and started talking about how we both have been. I asked him if he was doing good, and first he reacted stereotypically like: “Yes, I am good.” But then his look changed more seriously, and he added: “You know life happens, which it does for everyone. So, yes, I am good.”

I am not the kind of person who curiously digs into private affairs, so I left it up to him to tell me more, and I noticed that he doesn’t need it. He was just honest about how he felt, which led to a profound conversation. We talked for a while about that subject. Life does happen, and we must find ways to cope with it. We need to accept changes as part of life and move forward. It is no use to defend ourselves against something you cannot change and try to blame someone or something for it. It is simply life that happens.

We must not forget that every change also opens new chances. But those who hold on to what cannot be changed cannot see them. Nothing in life is final – nothing! Not even death, and it doesn’t matter whether it is our own or someone else’s death because it leads to new awareness. Of course, no one wishes for such changes, but they do happen, and the more we accept them as part of our lives, the better we can build something new from the ruins they left. Again, Jane Marczewski’s quote rang in my ears:

You cannot wait until life isn’t hard anymore, before you decide to be happy.

Just before I scheduled this post, life provided another example: In the early morning of January 6, the son of one of my husband’s cousins died unexpectedly from sudden heart death at the age of 47. He was full of life, successful with his company, and simply happy with the life he created. He enjoyed every day from morning to evening because he did what he loved and loved what he did. Even though his life was not boring at all, and especially during the winter season very hectic, but there were no signs that signaled what would happen. Then from one moment to the other, the switch got turned off.

Maybe this is what we must remember at the beginning of a new year. We never know what may happen. We have our plans, but there is life, too. As well as sad things, beautiful developments can surprise us. Life is a lucky bag. Whatever it provides makes us adjust our sails. And isn’t that the way we explore life essentially? I agree it would be nice to have a break in between and only go for our business without interruptions and disturbance for a while. But in general, what would life mean if it always stayed the same? It would not be interesting at all to come here. We would be bored. Maybe some are, and that is why we have wars and other senseless things going on in this world. We must get back to what life means and how life shapes us into unique beings.

In Love and Light