The ups and downs of life.

/ moragnoffke

Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself”

Mahatma Gandhi

I have to admit, as a creative individual I have experienced ups and downs of emotions, which over time, I have come to learn is quite natural and useful in creativity; yet after suffering depression I found that I was afraid that I may revert back to depression, when I felt low, as I feared that I would slide all the way back down into the abyss and not be able to get back up again.

Mahatma Gandhi’s quote helps me weather the ups, the downs, and see it as the process and the work I experience within the fight or attempt to move to victory. That is where real life happens. I believe that I can trust in the cycles of life: in the ups and the downs because it continuously moves back and forth. My life is not bland or mediocre. This is how I learnt to cope with the swings of emotions: knowing that life is not stagnant and will always have the ups and the downs. Some positions in life feel or “look” better than other positions. This poem I wrote almost a decade past explains:

    Swings of ups and downs in life

    I have never 
quite lost the enjoyment 
I had as a child, when playing in the park. I still 
like to swing on the swings. I also 
dabble in photography.
One time, 
as I was swinging,
I began to observe which view point
would be the best vantage for a photo: high up, 
and then low down, 
high up again;
close up, 
then far away, 
then close up again;
this is what I noticed as I swung. 

Then I realized 
that this is just like life. 
My life is held up by the Branch which is firm and steadfast
but the cycles of "ups and downs"
are like the swinging
to and fro.
Some aspects are worthy of taking a photo,
others are not noteworthy, while still others are just plain ugly.
But I know,
just as the swing swings, that life will change
and become better again,
worthy
of the photo shot.
Sometime
ago,
while I told a friend of mine 
about these ups and downs of life,
I used this analogy to explain how I cope when things get tough.

Such it is: the swings of ups
and downs 
in life.

My life is not bland or mediocre.

    Take care today, whatever you are doing and hold on tight.

    39 thoughts on “The ups and downs of life.”

    2. Wow, this is such a lovely poem Morag! It’s so true … especially the part that we should not loose the inner child in us 🌸.
      I’ve learned, while walking on our Camino’s, that it’s not the destination that matters, but the journey on how I get there. Looking back, there were many up’s and downs (literally and figuratively) … but I’ve always managed and sometimes I was quite amazed at what I’m capable of.

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    3. I liked the Gandhi’s quote. It’s so true and practical. During bad time, my mom used to say and console me that this life is a cycle of good and bad fortunes, good time will follow bad time. It also reminds me of quote that happiness is a journey, not a destination.

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    5. You know, Morag, this is how I learn or grasp things: simplicity. Your simple analogy resonates perfectly, rather than trying to be “smart,” technical, or fancy. Simplicity ALWAYS works for my simply brain. Thank you for making perfect sense of life.

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    7. The Gandhi quote is just so good, I have written it into my diary! 😊. Your poem and your thoughts also highlight the fact that life and living is not a stationary occupation! 💐💝😊

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    8. Love this!!! Love the poem you wrote, also. It’s definitely important to acknowledge that life will always have ups and downs, as it’s simply the cycle of life in general. We just have to “hold on tight” as you said! Much like swinging on a park swing. ❤️

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    10. Lovely poem and wise reflections. Life certainly swings one way then the other – you just have to go with the flow sometimes and not fight it. You’re lucky you’re so gifted and talented.
      Thanks for sharing. Take care!

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    12. I loved reading your post, it’s filled with so much truth and yet also, gently reminds us of the reality of life. Your poem echos life’s reality beautifully. Thank you for an uplifting post Morag ❤

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    16. Pingback: Reflecting on Your Comments | Morag Noffke

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