Daniel Bassill responded to a post recently with question at the end that many of must confront over and over as we get closer and closer to our end. He asked my, “Why do we try?”
I avoided the question for awhile. Who wouldn’t? Here is my response using only Randy Newman in my musical palette. It is a dark and unrelenting palette, but it is honest. It is honest.
And my direct response to Daniel’s question: the only thing worse than not trying is not feeling.
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Thanks Terry. I’m a big fan of the Wheel of Time books written by Robert Jordan. I pointed to them in this 2011 article. http://tutormentor.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-can-one-person-change-future.html
Like most science fiction/fantasy this is a journey and struggle against force of evil. The turning point in the series comes toward the end when the main character is faced with “why try, if it’s all going to go bad in the end” and finally gets the answer of something like, “because we get a chance to do it better the next time”.
I’d add, maybe a few other people will help us if we keep trying.
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I suspect the question — why try? — is something that always haunts us in the face of huge things. Maybe small things, too.
Someone once pointed me to this song, and I still have it in the back of my mind from time to time … You’ve got to swim …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA8PaIw5gcE
You gotta swim
For nights that won’t end
Swim for your family
Your lovers your sisters
Your brothers your friends
You gotta swim
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don’t see their greed is a flaw
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above
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And .. then this afternoon (last free day before school starts), I sat on the porch, composing this as a response to the question. I had the “why try” in my head and wanted to counter something relatively upbeat and positive.
For you two, my friends:
https://soundcloud.com/dogtrax/always-try-song-for-daniel-and
Kevin
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I was looking for a favorite poem, Carry on! By Robert W Service, when I found this song.
Here’s another “carry on” song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHRDcWs0dF4
Then I found this recitation by a 6 year old boy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29I8EJyIygg
Here’s the text of the poem. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/165577723775014396/
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Absolutely awesome comments. A heatlhy bone with plenty of gristle and marrow. Yum!