Shuffle

Forrest Gump said “Life is like a box of chocolates”, but I beg to differ. Chocolate although may come in several forms, is mostly predictable. Sure you may get a caramel and chip a tooth or dark chocolate making you feel a bit bitter. Certainly all things life can leave you feeling, pain and angst. But that perfect silky, melt in your mouth outer shell, that chocolate, that is the beauty of life and it is found in every piece within the box. Don’t get me wrong, some may relate to the chocolate in it’s familiarity and happy ending. It really is a positive way to look at life.

Now let’s look at life, for real. I like to say music is the soundtrack of our lives. In the real world it’s as though you are playing it on shuffle. That’s right, being a single parent is much like being brave enough to press shuffle on your ipod. Now you really don’t know what you’re going to get Forrest! Most of us only keep music we enjoy, but if you are a true music lover you know you have a song, artist or album for every mood. And since you have a child you know that feeling when you are chilling to Beastie Boys and all of a sudden “I’m a Little Teapot” is blaring from your Kia and your “I’m still cool” confidence goes right out the window and reality sucks you right back in. Now that’s life. No silky melt in your mouth chocolate, just a sudden change you were definitely not prepared for.

I used to believe that life is choices, but to truly be ready for anything, you must believe that life is changes.  Just when you think you are clear for a while, Floyd comes on and reminds you that it’s a long ballad until you can catch your breath again.  The key is to accept it. Yes you all should embrace a little Floyd now and again and know that soon enough Dave Grohl will come back in to be sure you are awake.  Maybe you will be fortunate at times to come across a little Van Morrison and do a little Moondance or your heart will be in the right place to be ok with singing Adele at the top of your lungs(I don’t ever do that).  As long as you know that at any moment Zeppelin will come on and over stay their welcome.

So I say life is like a playlist on shuffle.  It will bring you challenges, but it will give you joy like no other.  It is worth waking up everyday to turn it on again and hit repeat. And remember, you are not alone.  There are people out there that still like the Eagles.