Is that all there is?
Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber —
If that’s all there is, my friends,
then let’s keep dancing.
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball,
How many of you remember Peggy Lee singing this song in 1969? And how many of us have said or sung that several times throughout our lives? We reach a stage of life I call the “Messy Midlife;” we look around and ask ourselves “Is that all there is?”
So, what do we do with our messy midlife? We change careers, we go back to school, we have an affair and/or get a divorce, we buy a sports car, we bleach our hair, we do everything we can to bring back a sense of newness to our lives. We feel like our lives are half over and what do we have to show for it? Is this all there is?
If you’ve had these thoughts, you’re in good company. Is “midlife crisis” a myth or is it real? To those going through it, it’s very real. You’ve had a good life, but now something seems to be missing. Some of our activities can end up being very positive, depending on how and why we carry them out.
Going back to school can work at any age. Changing careers can bring a new purpose to your life. You are never too old to do or be what you’ve always wanted to do or be! Don’t sit at home and moan about getting older. Not everyone will be granted that privilege.
Some of you took an online course I created – “Growing Older with Gusto!” (https://lavalily.com/learn-with-lucy/) That course is being updated and will be available again soon. As I inch toward my ninetieth birthday, I may have a few words to help guide you into your older years.
In late spring of this year, I will offer a new course called “Gusto Through a Messy Midlife!” Watch for the announcement on my website or get the free app (Learn with Lucy) from either Apple or Google and sign up for announcements.
A hui hou!
****The song was inspired by Thomas Mann’s short story, “Disillusionment.” The song was written by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, and arranged by Randy Newman. The photo is one I took at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
