One of the most important lessons we can teach our kids, particularly in their young adolescence, is the concept of more than one. The more than one lesson must be repeated through the teenage and young adult years where it will hopefully be firmly implanted in their value system and understanding of the world. More than one: There is more than one college for you. There is more than one relationship for you. There is more than one love. There is more than one job for you, in fact you’d better expect to have several different jobs and to own some sort of business. There will be more than one rejection you’ll face, more than one sorrow, more than one source of pain. There is more than one way to skin a cat and remember one monkey don’t stop no show. Fish? There are plenty of fish in the sea. Frogs? You’ve got to kiss a lot of them to get the handsome prince (or princess). Heartache? It will ache for a while but it does get better and sometimes even goes away.
There will be multiple triumphs, joys, and accomplishments.
And choices – they can be both/and not just either/or.
What about rain? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow nailed this when he wrote:
Be still sad hear and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall.
Some days must be dark and reary.
(last stanza, The Rainy Day)
Listen here, girls The late poet, Lucille Clifton, had a poem that ended with these lines: And I wish for you what I wish for myself:
The Marvelettes sung “Too Many Fish in the Sea” written by Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield:
Take this advice, and remember always in life:
Into each heart some tears must fall
Though you love and lose, you must stand tall
‘Cause we all got to cry sometimes
I said, sigh sometimes
Pull yourself together
No use crying forever
Because there’s too many fish in the sea
Too many fish in the sea
I said, there’s short ones, tall ones, fine ones, kind ones
Too many fish in the sea
My mother once told me something
And every word is true
Don’t waste your time on a fella
Who doesn’t love you
He’ll only mislead you
Only grieve you
Don’t worry about him
Do without him
Because there’s too many fish in the sea
Too many fish in the sea
I said, there’s short ones, tall ones, fine ones, kind ones
Too many fish in the sea
Well, if the fish isn’t on your line
Bait your hook and keep on trying
Don’t let him get you down
There’s other boys around
Because there’s too many fish in the sea
Too many fish in the sea
I said, there’s short ones, tall ones, fine ones, kind ones
Too many fish in the sea
I don’t want nobody that don’t want me
‘Cause there’s too many fish in the sea
Ain’t gonna love nobody that don’t love me, now
‘Cause there’s too many fish in the sea
I don’t need nobody that don’t need me
‘Cause there’s too many fish in the sea
I don’t want nobody that don’t love me, now
‘Cause there’s too many fish in the sea.*
More than one, more than one, more than one.**
(*Check out You Tube for a video of the Marvelletes singing)
(**When I find the whole poem, I’ll share it.)
Wonderful comments about life in general…been thinking about a job offer…I know there must be another one for me! Thank you for your insight! Michael.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Sometimes bird in hand worth two in bush.
You might have to take a job but you never have to stay.
Take care.
Really enjoyed this post. As always, thanks for sharing your insights and wisdom – and reminding me of the Marvellettes!
Glad you enjoyed. It was nice to think about the mavelous Marvelettes again.