Here's to Life

I came upon this song recently and I loved it so much I decided to do a cover - but in a very different style than the original. However this interpretation by Shirley Horn is so incredibly touching because you can just hear her whole soul and life in the phrasing. Just listening to this song, I know I would have loved to meet her.

I just spent a few days in the snow, in the middle of nowhere, tiring myself out every day. If you have never tried cross country skiing, give it a try. It will work you to the bone but also give you a feeling of incredible peace. The cold, the effort and being in nature combine to cleanse you of everything you don't really need. It was a perfect ending to this year and an incredible jumpstart to my new athletic routine. I don't think there is one muscle in my body that has not been worked after the past week.

At some point, after a day of snowfall, we did an outing into the forest. Yes, there is a road here, in the picture, except it's not really there under all the snow. We were the first ones to make tracks.

Anyway, back to the song. Here are the lyrics below, and on this birthday I would like to say that my wish is to live my life in the spirit of this song. Life is crazy sometimes, it's unpredictable and oftentimes heartbreaking. But I will continue to persevere - and celebrate - life. What's more, I promise to be more cognizant of my own gifts, opportunities and blessings, as I go through the next year. That applies to people, as well...

And the most brilliant line of all: 'There's no yes in yesterday'. Indeed.

Here's to Life

No complaints and no regrets.
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets.
But i have learned that all you give is all you get, so give it all you got.
I had my share, i drank my fill, and even though i’m satisfied i’m hungry still
To see what’s down another road, beyond a hill and do it all again.
So here’s to life and all the joy it brings.
Here’s to life the dreamers and their dreams.
Funny how the time just flies.
How love can turn from warm hellos to sad goodbyes
And leave you with the memories you’ve memorized
To keep your winters warm.
There’s no yes in yesterday.
And who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away.
As long as i’m still in the game i want to play
For laughs, for life, for love.
So here’s to life and all the joy it brings.
Here’s to life, the dreamers and their dreams.
May all your storms be weathered,
And all that’s good get better.
Here’s to life, here’s to love, here’s to you.
May all your storms be weathered,
And all that's good get better.
Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you.

 

 

Finally, in 2009, as I started this blog, I wrote a poem to myself, on my birthday. Here it is below. I re-read it every year to remind myself how far I have come, even when it doesn't feel that way. I also re-read it to refresh my own inner map. Our inner countries may not change greatly, but as we travel our internal landscapes we may find shortcuts, scenic routes or shelter we never knew were there when we started.

 

Message in a Bottle.

 

I write this message

to the future me.

Right now I am standing still

if only for a moment

but the dawn is breaking

and the ship shall sail soon.

Hills and valleys behind me

memories, choices and

accidental encounters;

all that has faded.

I write this poem

for you, dear strange girl.

For you are more special

and loved

than you have allowed yourself to be.

But if you are, indeed

the future me

then you already know this.

You have opened your heart

to the shimmering wall of water;

the endless sky of possibility

and forgiveness

for such as myself

who belongs to yesterday.

Armed with imagination,

faith, music

and a treasure map

I light a candle for you,

then put down the guilt,

fear, shame and uncertainty.

Let them stay here;

you deserve to be new

I have fought for you

and now I can rest.

Be free and weightless

be kind, joyful and true.

Believe in magic

trust yourself

love completely.

The ship has sailed

I am standing on the dock, waving.

Happy birthday.

 

 

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