(if you’ve never been down how can you know you are up?)

It occurs to me sometimes that in the pursuit of happiness (what ever that is) people don’t always have a reference point. I was just writing about the joy of life and it occurred to me that sorrow, loss, failure, disappointment, depression and other bummers are necessary parts of being alive. Think about it. If you never failed at something how could you possibly savor the wonderfulness of success. I seriously pity anyone that has never failed at anything. They have no idea how wonderful it is to succeed.
Love without loss? I think that you have no idea what love is until you lose someone /something/ someplace you think you love. Then you really know,and then you know the next time love comes around, too. In the depths of depression everything seems to be useless, or worthless, or hopeless. Then “up” happens and you have a reference point. What is better that being up and KNOWING how far down really is?
So this little essay is about taking life as it presents itself with all the ups and downs equally relished. Hard times ahead means better times too. If you think you will be rewarded for a life well lived you are right. The reward is LIVING the life well lived. All of it.
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brookenovak/1305383543/