Soundtrack of my Life – Entry #8 – Can’t Stop the World – The Go-Go’s

It is hard to believe “the eighties” are now ancient history. That the people I knew growing up are sneaking up towards retirement, have had children of their own, and perhaps even grandchildren. That the bands we listened to and the stars we watched at the movies are now adorning the cover of the AARP Magazine (not too long ago they had a great article on Cyndi Lauper). But that is the way of life, everything has its time, and now I can sit back and reflect on how those days, made such a huge impact on my life in a very subtle and beautiful way.

I am certainly not done the living, although it never really is our choice, is it? (The volume of talented artists we lost in 2016 speaks to that). Nor am I ever going to stop learning new things since I kind of dig being one of the oldest students in the classroom. I love learning things because I want to, not because I have to and it is not in my nature to sit back and watch the world pass by me, as anyone who knows me can attest. But this is a great time for me to take a deep breath, and focus on what brings me personal fulfillment and joy, something I haven’t really been able to do since my glory days. Life has blessed me with a wonderful marriage, beautiful children and a skill set that I developed during a mishmash career (I am forever trying new things).  My days were filled with errands and duties, all things we are familiar with. While I have always written in one, way, shape or form, it wasn’t until I closed the door on the things I felt were my destiny – that the window opened for the thing that truly was…writing.

Coming back full-circle to writing creatively has been a challenge since there are endless things to learn about the industry. It is certainly more so for those of us who come back to our passions later in life. Because what I found, is even though I feel 20 on the inside, the woman looking back at me in the mirror is far from that. And the babies that I raised are now at the age I was so long ago, and doing the same things I did…navigating their way through life and looking at it as a great adventure. You can’t stop the world, there will be progress and people will move on with their lives, but the one thing I have come to realize is that you shouldn’t let life stop you from reaching for the stars, or following your dreams. I wish I would have realized that so long ago instead of putting things off for when I was comfortable that I had the “right” amount of time to jump in. Especially since now I have come to realize I have much less of it…time that is. We all do.

This latest entry in the Soundtrack of my life came on the other day while I was listening to Pandora at my 8 to 5 job. It brought a smile to my face as it was sung by a band I absolutely adored (and still do) the GoGo’s. When I looked up the lyrics I realized that the message is just as relevant to me now as it was all those years ago. Don’t wait for things to come to you, for there to be time to do the things you love…time is the one thing that can’t be guaranteed. So the message for me? Pursue your passions and dreams right along with taking care of the business of living, and make your choices with no regrets. If it is the right choice for you, it will bring you happiness, and that is the best that any of us can hope for.

By the way, this is just how I will always remember seeing them in concert.  They warmed up for the Police and it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to! So full of positive energy and life!