Reverb11, Day 27 – Okay? I Hope Not…

Everything is going to be okay. - What is one thing, a sign if you will, that has shown you that things will be just fine in 2012?

I don’t know that I believe everything will be “okay” in 2012.  Or ever, for that matter.  For when you look at it, defining “okay” is a tad rough.  It’s a sop of sorts, if you will (and even if you won’t).   Everything being “okay” implies so much and delivers so little.  It’s ill-defined, vast and constricting all at once.  It’s a promise and prison all in one word.

“Everything is going to be okay…”

It’s a lie we tell ourselves, children, people who are dying, people who are hurting and people who are sick.  It’s a well meaning lie, but it’s bullshit just the same.  When bad things happen, threaten to happen or even hint at happening, everyone wants to be “okay.”  Normal reaction, and one that I fall prey too.

“Everything is going to be okay…”

Sometimes, Life Happens.  Shit Happens.  Good Things Happen.  Sometimes shit happens to good people.  Sometimes good things happen to shitty people.  There is no rhyme or reason, there is no fairness to it.  There is no “okay” when Life Happens.  Because Life, living Life, embracing it, sucking the marrow from the bones of Life, changes you.  Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes it is five alarm wake up call, sometimes it alters how you look at Life.  Regardless, Life happening changes you.

“Everything is going to be okay…”

Okay is the status quo, standing in place.  Living life is about moving forward, learning, growing, changing, reaching out.  Standing in place is stagnation and is most assuredly not “okay.”  It is acceptance of “what is” and not “what is possible.”

“Everything is going to be okay…”

Examine the possibilities in your life and reach for them.  If they’re out of reach, move closer.  If they’re scary, you can settle for “okay” or you can strive for something better.  Which is better than okay.  The next time Life has you down, kicking you around a bit or a lot, pick yourself up and dust yourself off.  Ask for help if you need it, learn what you can and move on.  Move on to something Better.

“Everything isn’t going to be okay, it’s going to be Better…”