Look for the silver lining
Whenever a cloud appears in the blue
Remember, somewhere the sun is shining
And so the right thing to do is make it shine for you
A heart, full of joy and gladness
Will always banish sadness and strife
So always look for the silver lining
And try to find the sunny side of life
A heart, full of joy and gladness
Will always banish sadness and strife
So always look for the silver lining
And try to find the sunny side of life
When sitting beside a pond high in the Norwegian mountains and just soaking in my surroundings and experiencing a fantastic feeling of happiness and being alive and part of nature, this song came into my head. The song was written as far back as in 1919 by Buddy de Sylva, and one of the more well known versions was recorded by Chet Baker.
It speaks directly to me where I am now in my life and where I have been for the last few years. It is so important to look for the silver lining, to find the sunny side of life even when there are elements in life that works towards darkness and despair. When people close to you are having problems that only seem to get bigger and bigger without them being able or willing to do the right things to come back on track. When you try the best you can for years to convince them and help them and you don’t get any response.
At this point you have two choices:
1- continue to bang your head against the wall in the hope that some day you’ll succeed (which you never will, because the other person really has to find the motivation themselves) and therefore burn yourself out and develop depressions and what not.
2- take a grip on your own life, take care of yourself first, and also if there are others in this close circle, take care of them. Place yourself on the sideline. Focus on the good things in life.
I have found it essential to choose number 2. Only then you can get some energy to follow up the one with problems to a certain degree. But remember that you are in charge only of your own life, others are in charge of their lives, no matter how low they are. And only you can decide how much to get involved.
Another good analogy I have thought a lot about is when you have boarded a plane and the crew goes through the safety routine. They tell you that if the oxygen masks come down, you should put on your own mask first, then help others.
Have you ever experienced any of this? While you’re thinking and writing a comment, have a listen to Chet Baker here:
H P Birkeland fotografi 