Living In The Past
“You can get just so much from a good thing
You can linger too long in your dreams
Say goodbye to the “Oldies But Goodies”
‘Cause the good ole days weren’t always good
And tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems…” – Billy Joel, “Keeping the Faith”
I’ll be the first to admit, I think I do linger too long in my dreams….
I often think about the past, remembering the “good times,” part of me wishing to go back and relive them.
I was listening to the above mentioned song the other day, and although I’ve listened to it countless times, the lyrics really struck a nerve in me.
Let’s see, good times…well, although I do have some fond memories of high school, I remember having a fragile self esteem, afraid to really be myself because I was afraid of what others thought. I remember being in a high school relationship for two years, and not really wanting to do much outside of that. I remember not acting on things and speaking my mind.
I’m not saying there weren’t good times. There really are some fond memories, mainly of musicals and choir activities, as well as some wonderful people that I regret having lost touch with.
But it’s the things I didn’t do that I find myself dwelling on more. My senior year, one of our choir members sang “My Way” at our final concert. At the time, I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s kind of an egotistical song to sing.” Now, in my “old age,” I really get it. That’s how I should have lived my life back then, with regrets too few to mention.
And that is where the song lyrics from “Keeping the Faith” really come into play. The good old days weren’t always good. But what I keep replaying in my head is the “should’ves.” How I could have made them better, knowing what I know now.
And here’s the burning question: Why am I not applying what I know now to NOW?!?!?
If I live my life being me, not afraid to speak my mind, be the outgoing person that I know I can be, get back in touch with those long lost friends, then perhaps I can stop living in the past, and tomorrow won’t be as bad as it seems…
Craig,
One thing I remember is that you wre genuinely YOU. You didn’t try to be anything you were not. And that was refreshing!
You were always an absolute delight to be around back in high school. Always a sincere bright happy smile on your face. Always a funny saying, or antecdote too! -Oh and that infectious giggley laugh!
I think most of struggled (or continue to struggle with) this very same theme you are mentioning here in one way or another. Okay, I want to write more.. but gotta get back to work!! I will post more soon. I can’t wait to read more! I love your blog!! You are inspiring me to get off MY butt, and do what I want to do!!