Brian’s Reflection: Friday, July 17, 2009

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

- Disneyland opened on this date,
1955, in Anaheim CA
[lyrics by Ned Washington; music by Leigh Harline;
Performed by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) ]


I always found the bumper sticker from the 80’s (have I got the right decade?) amusing, and somewhat touching - “Life is hard, and then you die”. I liked the reality – like another fav, “Shit Happens”. And there were lots more like those! I am a big fan of acknowledging the Reality of Life and then dealing with it (yes, even though I am an "avoider"!) – and there are LOTS of options for dealing with it. And lots of resources.

All kids my age remember Jiminy Cricket singing this song. I’ve remembered the lyrics to the first verse (I don’t remember hearing the others) for over 55 years.

I am not a hard-ass “stare things squarely in the face” guy as the only approach to Life’s challenges. I’m in favour of “cushions” that help us get to the point of being able to deal with stuff. People have invented “God/gods/goddesses /spirits/fairies/etc” to help. Jiminy sang that “Fate” is kind, surprising us with strength and paths that “see you through” and make our “dreams come true”. But we all know that, somewhere in the process, when we’ve gotten our balance and our breath, we have choices to make and courage to ignite and help to accept to face what we need to face and do what we need to do.

I’m in favour of songs of encouragement (including hymns), of wishing upon stars, or calling upon the divinities. It reminds us that there are indeed ways through our difficulties. Finding those ways are the work of a Lifetime. There is an enormous amount of wisdom in the World, and the blessing of friends.

When trouble next comes, picture little Jiminy singing this song. Gaze in wonder at an icon of a loving, caring Deity. Go to Disneyland for a day, or the Grand Canyon, or your local wonder! Be centered – and then forge ahead with confidence and trust.

Things will indeed “work out”. And in the process we learn a lot.

Brian+