Sunday, July 27, 2008

QUE SERA SERA - WHAT EVER WILL BE, WILL BE

Years ago, Doris Day, had a song out called Que Sera Sera. Here is one verse of that song:

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

That kind of sums up my life. Sometimes I think it should be a song that was sung by country artist Pam Tillis called, Mi Vida Loca, which means my crazy life. There has been many ups and downs in my life, many hurts and many wonderful experiences and I would not change one thing if I had to go back and do it all over. I have a wonderful family, my health as far as I know, friends, stability, a great partner, and I try to enjoy every moment that I have left on this good earth.

My girlfriend is always saying, "if I could only live my life over and know what I know now". I can't go along with that because I think I would make bigger mistakes than the ones I made before.

There are so many quotes and sayings by famous people about life. For instance: Everything happens for a reason or if it was meant to be, it will be. I have used these expressions to rationalize many things.

I always liked this one: Every ending is a new beginning! That makes good sense to me.
Have you heard this one? Life is what you make it. Here's another. It was God's plan or when God closes a door, He opens a window. Also, every cloud has a silver lining.

Grandma Moses said: Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. Martin Fischer said Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth.

I think this one pertaining to love is probably true: If you love something set it free. If it was meant to be it will come back to you.

It appears we want to believe that the things we have happen in our life have meaning and that good things come out of the bad that happens. I believe life's happenings help us to become better people and stronger people so that ultimately we discover who we were meant to be.

I like this one: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!

My philosophy is kind of measured by a poem I have loved ever since the first time I heard it many years ago. It was written by James Henry Leigh. You can read my favorite poem below.

ABOU BEN ADHEM

Abou ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
an angel, writing in a book of of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Prescence in the room he said: "What writest thou?"
The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord.
" "And is mine one?"said Abou,
"Nay, not so," Replied the angel.
Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still, and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished.
The next night It came again, with a great awakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Do you have a favorite quote or a favorite poem about life or just an opinion. If so, leave me a comment.

22 comments:

patsy said...

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

patsy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
June Saville said...

Hi again Judy
I have a copy of Abou Ben Adhem on the corkboard in my study. It brings back memories of an English teacher at school who used to recite it to us.
W H Auden's 'Stop the Clock' is probably one of the most enthusiastic beautiful love poems I enjoy right now.
Cheers
June in Australia

Sylvia K said...

Well, you know I've been thinking in the same direction and there's something good to take from all the sayings, some apply to each of us more than others, but whoever wrote them knew whereof he/she spoke. What I do know is that through whatever, I've come out stronger and more able to see the beauty and that's all that's important to me. Always enjoy your posts, Judy!

Sylvia

Kate said...

Hi Judy, Loved the Abou Ben Adhem, I had never heard the words before, only the start of it, thanks, have copied it. My fave is 'The Desiderata'(and of course Kate's Poem) which I have related in my blog today. Cheers for now, I am looking after Louis today (an extra) usually I just see him on Wednesday, but he had a cough - well so he said, so his Mum wouldn't let him go to the childminders 'cos of the other children. When he got here though his cough disappeared, so him Mum asked where it had gone, he said 'I wanted to go see Nana today,' (he's as fly as a cartload of monkeys) we will probably go to the beach 'cos it is a gorgeous day today. Better move myself Love Kate x.

Margie's Musings said...

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

The Road Not Taken


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could..To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This has always been my favorite.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy - wonderful post.
Blessings to you this early morning.

bobbie said...

Hi Judy.
I love poetry, and can't really choose a favorite. But certainly near the top of the list is a short verse by Rabindranath Tagore:

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

Leigh said...

Good Morning Mom,

I love the saying "Life is what you make it"

I have tried to live my life that way and I love my life, wouldn't change a thing. You instilled a good postive attitude in your children so...thank you!! I love you bunches!

Rachel said...

Great poem!

"When life gives you lemons make lemonade!" I've always liked that saying.

Or "just bloom where you're planted."

Kelly said...
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Linda said...

Judy,

I love your attitude about life.

Linda

Kelly said...

Hi Judy, (again) *Sorry deleted the one above, didn't see that you had already used one of them...

So, I'll try again. How about " There is always light at the end of the tunnel"...

Hope you have a good week and that things are going well for you!

Kelly

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite quotes is by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It's from his children's book, The Little Prince:

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Nice post, Judy.

Anonymous said...

On your death bed it’s the things you didn’t do that you regret, not things you did.

lom

Anne and Leigh said...

Mom,

Those are all wonderful quotes. What a great blog entry! I think I am so lucky to have a mom that understands being positive and living her life. I am so thankful you passed that on to me!

Love you

-Anne

Clara....in TN said...

You are right Judy, I think we were on the same wave link yesterday. This song came to my mind as I read your post. It pretty well sums up my theory on life.
Life is like a mountain railroad,
With an engineer that's brave:
We must make the run successful,
From the cradle to the grave;
Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels:
Never falter, never fail:
Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eye upon the rail.

Blessed Savior, Thou wilt guide us
till we reach that blissful shore;
Where the angels wait to join us,
In Thy praise forever more.

You will roll upgrades and trials;
You will cross the bridge of strife
See that Christ is your conductor
On this lightning train of life;
Always mindful of obstructions,
Do your duty, never fail;
Keep your hand upon the throttle;
And you eye upon the rail.

You will often find obstructions;
Look for storms of wind and rain;
On a fill, a cruve or trestle,
They will almost ditch your train;
Put your trust alone in Jesus;
Never falter never fail:
Keep you hand upon the throttle,
And your eye upon the rail.

As you roll across the trestle,
Spanning Jordan's swelling tide,
You behold the Union Depot
Into which your train will glide:
There'll you'll meet the Superintendent,
God the Father, God the Son,
With the heart, joyous plaudit,
"Weary pilgrim, welcome home!"

Amber Star said...

All of the poems and sayings are insightful, but I do like the Ben Adhem one the best. I hadn't heard that one before. You got a lot of good ones back in the posts, too.

Jamie Dawn said...

I said this poem to my kids at nighttime for years:

"To bed, to bed," said Sleepy Head.
"Let's tarry a little while," said Slow.
"Put on the pot," said Greedy Gut,
"Let's eat before we go!"

That's my motto! Eat well and often and enjoy!!

:-)

I agree that life is what we make of it.
We are all handed bad things to deal with, some more than others, but rarely does anyone escape bad stuff.
I am glad you count your blessings and enjoy those you love.

Nancy said...

I enjoyed your post and the adages and poems you quoted. I loved "Que Sera, Sera" when I was a kid, and I agree that life is good (most of the time!)

I also like the poems of Robert Frost, like "The Road Not Taken," as well as "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I can't quote the whole thing, but the last line about appreciating the peace and quiet but being unable to stay because of having miles to go and promises to keep. I still have MANY miles I want to go.)

Balisha said...

Hi Judy,
Love reading your posts. I always learn something here. My husband and I both lost our former spouses within 5 weeks of each other.We both had been married for 47 yrs. Now we married and we have a verse on our refrigerator. It has helped both of us from time to time. "Let Go and Let God"

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I well remember Doris Day's song. I am a firm believer in the words.
My favourite quotation is: "Todays
Gratitude Buys You Tomorrow's Happiness,"


Yvonne from welcome to my world of poetry, anyone welcome to drop in