By Philip Suzara
Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.
One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life-changing decisions, defining moments… to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kinds: straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there… around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.
I am celebrating my birthday as I write this, my sixty-sixth year alive!
It has been a long journey and the trail I walk has not ended... Well, not yet anyway.
The journey has always been great – like a great roller coaster ride. Great as it is, it did not always have those smooth paved roads, they were not a common occurrence, and they were more of a rarity.
More often, there were the rough roads along the way; narrow paths, dark alleys, thorny footpaths, you’d also find high rocks and even walls to scale. It would not be unusual to find yourself facing waters to cross, and there will be lots of obstacles to hurdle.
Life always had something to offer me along the way; there were lovely vistas to discover and beautiful souls to behold, they had always been there -- waiting for that time when you would be ready to see them. Some people say it is the destination that matters, and for others, the journey. I dare say it is both the journey and destination, you reach your destination with your actualized persona, the complete you -- as you were designed to be.
We are enriched by the experiences we have gone through, by the moments we have encountered, and shared, with the many beautiful souls we have touched, with their breathtaking oohs and aahs.
It is all so heavenly, like a distant view of what more our God has to offer.
Thank you, dear God, for all your blessings.
And there is more to life.
Bring it on!
My journey towards sixty 6 has been done solely on my own, even as family and friends came along the way. Yes, I did it my way.
Let me take you through this often misunderstood; it had gained some amount of notoriety of being the culprit of most bar brawls in sing-along joints. I guess it is because a lot of people relate with and have taken to liking it because of its lyrics.
They have embraced it as their valedictory piece as they perform in the sing-along bars.
They sing it with much aplomb, verve, flair, and style – and the others, just pure enthusiasm.
It will not be strange to hear the same song sung a few times by different guests in the same place; suddenly, it becomes a sort of dangerous contest, oftentimes turning unruly with condescending and proud one-upmanship. This situation can turn into a tragicomedy – like they would really be funny if they weren’t too tragic!
Seriously, the song is beautiful.
Singer-songwriter legend Paul Anka crafted the poignant and powerful ballad upon the request of Sinatra, “My Way.” Sinatra wanted to do one last album – his swan song. Paul Anka never knew what a legacy he had created when, at the request of Ol’ Blue Eyes, he wrote this song for Frank’s (presumed) retirement.
My Way
Frank Sinatra
Songwriters: Paul Anka / Gilles Thibaut / Claude Francois / Jacques Revaud
“And now the end is here
And so I face that final curtain
My friend I'll make it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more
I did it, I did it my way
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much, much more
I did it, I did it my way
Yes, there were times I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself then he has naught
Not to say the things that he truly feels
And not the words of someone who kneels
Let the record shows I took all the blows and did it my way”
Top of mind, I can name four great singers/composers who are named Paul. There might be more, though. There’s Paul Anka, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and Paul Williams.
I just don’t know what their diet is and what their vitamins and supplements are, but here I go trekking, to continue my journey.
And as usual, I’ll do it my way!
Pondering, as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.
Philip Suzara
Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.
