Poet William Congreve wrote in his poem “The Mourning Bride,” Musick has Charms to soothe a savage Breast, to soften Rocks, or to bend a knotted Oak.” As it was in 1697, this still rings true today. In fact, one could say it has existed since the dawn of time. Music plays such an important part in all our lives.

And isn’t a story just a song that is not yet set to music? As in One Thousand and One Nights, where Scheherazade convinces King Shahryar to spare her life so she can finish the story she began to share on their wedding night. Thus, soothing the savage beast within the King.

These examples have much to teach about our human existence. As with the old Latin proverb, “audentes Fortuna iuvat,” we too can be that brave one that stands at the gate, and proves to the world we are worthy, humble, and that we seek “justice for all, and malice toward none.” I know that is the hill I want my flag planted on.

I am certainly a fan of the Blues. It, too, speaks with detail about the human condition. The Savoy Brown song “Troubled by These Days and Times” seems quite apropos.

Well I’m troubled, yes I’m troubled

Well I’m troubled by these days and times

Well I’m troubled, yes I’m troubled

You know I’m troubled by these days and times

But sadness and despair are best used as tools to teach us that the spiral ever downward only leads to a pit. A dark, cold, wet pit that might not see the light of day. Not a place of joy or happiness, for sure.

The sunlight, where the air is clear, the birds sing, and the flowers grow. Yes, that is my preferred place of existence. Oh, I do keep that hole in the ground around to remember days past. I even venture out and look down into it from time to time, just to remind myself why I keep it around and never want to do more with it than peer down into its forbidding darkness.

No, I prefer to follow Wet Willie’s advice and just “Keep on Smilin’.” It is hard to do sometimes; so very hard. Especially in light of the thunderstorms that approach with the change of seasons. But as with the seasons, life, too, has its ups and downs, its cycles. I suspect this “cycle of life” has all been part of the plan since the plan was first conceived. That’s fine, and knowing the rules of the game, I am adaptable; I am human after all. And a smile always keeps them wondering what I’m up to.

Well, you say you’ve got the blues

You’ve got holes in both your shoes, yeah

You’re feeling alone and confused

You got to keep on smilin’, just keep on smilin’

And just keep on smilin’, keep on smilin’

Keep on smilin’ through the rain

Laughin’ at the pain

Just flowin’ with the changes

Till the sun comes out again

So, as I embark on another day that I will gentle place in the pages that is my history when I close my eyes tonight, I will, to paraphrase, have gone gently into this good day, and I will have raged against the despair, that the world may try to throw my way. “It’s a new dawn!”