Revisiting: Is That All There Is?

“I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire.
I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face as he gathered me up
in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement.
I stood there shivering in my pyjamas and watched the whole world up in flames.
And when it was all over, I said to myself; “Is there all there is to a fire?”

(Sung)
Is that all there is, is that all there is
Is that all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
Is that all there is.

And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears.
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle.
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don’t know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, “Is that all there is to a circus?”

This song; “Is That All There Is?” was written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller in the 1960s and was recorded by American singer, Peggy Lee in 1969.

As I revisit and reflect on this post, I am saddened by the untimely death of an Indian medical student who was severely beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus in New Delhi recently. The victim was then airlifted to Singapore for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries.

I am not disillusioned with life. Like most people, I believe life offers abundant opportunities for both laughter and tears. Life is an adventure and a celebration. All of us hit hard times. The good times, we will put in our pocket to savor and the difficult times go to our heart and into our soul. Failure, defeat and loss afflict us all. Neither the good times nor the hard times will last forever. What is essential is to keep focused, even through the hard times on our dreams and goals. Reject thinking negatively and reject thiose negative people holding you back

Life certainly has tested me in the true sense of the word. We need people who care. As a matter of fact, anything can be borne if we are surrounded by our family and friends. Whereas, a minor setback can derail any one of us trying to muscle through it alone. I reckon as in any period of difficulty in our lives, the important thing to do is not to allow our emotions rule our thoughts and actions.

In “Is There All There Is?” Peggy Lee tells of witnessing her family house on fire when she was a little girl, seeing the circus and falling in love for the first time. And after each recital she expressed her disappointment in the experience and suggest that “we break out the booze and have a ball …….. if that’s all there is” instead of worrying about life.

Those who lose sight of their faith tends to become like ships without rudder and become lost in a sea of distractions. Place your trust in a power greater in yourself and to believe good things are going to follow. Great things will occur when we get up, dust ourselves off and go after life with greater determination and stronger courage.

I learnt to be thankful for all that has happened and thankful for all the wonderful lessons life has taught me. You know why? It has made my life so rich with experience …… and so much to share with others. Each was a blessing in disguise. Each encounter was a wonderful lesson and never to repeat it again. And believe me, be patient. We will soon see and hear the real stuff in each of this encounter ……

“I know what you must be saying to yourself
if that’s the way she feels about it why doesn’t she just end it all?
Oh, no, not me. I’m in no hurry for that final disappointment
for I know just as well as I’m standing here talking to you’
when that final moment comes and I’m breathing my last breadth, I’ll be saying to myself

(Sung)
Is that all there is, is that all there is
Is that all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that all there is.”