Once Again

Information:

• Source: The Open Letters Notebook
• Key: G Major/E minor
• Measures: 45
• Parts: Cello and Piano
• Duration: 3:13
• Pages: 3 Pages

Once again, let’s enjoy life! J. Anaya

ONCE AGAIN
Once again, I have looked into my life, almost as if I am doing a job review of my performance here on earth. What would I leave behind when my time on this planet is over?, is it all worth it?, does anybody care?. I do not know. I’m not a Philosopher, neither I’m a Scientist, nor do I believe in a god I can reach and ask all the important questions.

However, as a musician, I rely on music to keep me sane, grounded, inform, happy and sometimes, a little bit, deliciously sad. It is my wish, someone in the future would benefit from my compositions, It’s my wish, someone could stay afloat in difficult situations when listening to my music, why not?

DANGEROUS BEAUTY
To live is easy, but on the other hand, to stay alive is a rather complex, and dangerous attempt. Despite all, life is strangely beautiful. Humans, and all living things, complete a cycle in which, we may thrive, only to weaken and eventually died. But don’t let that “inconvenience” from trying your best and be happy.

At one point in our lives, we realized, perhaps without much effort, that life is constant and very much impossible to ignore. We then, as the years pass by, go on learning that life is also unfair, and beautiful, tragic, painful and full of laughter. Towards the end of it, with resignation to the inevitable, as we may be pondering about life, decided if it had been worth living. If the answer is yes, good for us, but if is not, shame on us.

PROVE IT
The point is, there is NO point. After centuries of human history, philosophy, the study of ancient documents, all the endless hours dedicated to scientific studies, and even ugly pyrammids, don’t give real anwsers. The porpuse of being alive, it had been elusive to humans. All indicates that the answers to the very basic questions in and about life don’t exist. Century after century, there’s been people, claiming stubbornly, that there is a universal point, but without being able to prove it.

Meanwhile, I observe from a safe distance the imminent troubling fight that is created by claims, that “experts” tried to explain blatantly, to one another.
From Plato to Saga, and everybody in between and before them. The need to know who or what we are is so strong, that we’re willing to go far beyond our means to discover the meaning of life. Humans had explored everything and anything they can think of, and sell it as the true.

WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE
Take, for example, the following human ideas. The list represents only a very small fraction of a portion of philosofers and various faiths, trying to explain why we exist WITHOUT telling us why we do:

Plato’s Pursuit of Knowledge
Aristotle’s Path to Excellence
Stoic Tranquility
Confucian Harmony
Taoist Simplicity
Buddhist Liberation
Hindu Duty
Christian Devotion
Islamic Submission
Jewish Covenant
Materialist Pleasure
Communist Collective
Existentialist Freedom
Nihilist Void
Epicurean Moderation
Sioux Connection
Maori Heritage

Where do we draw the line?, Is it the fear and mistery of death that compels us to think this and that?, I have the feeling that, life is way more fearful and misterious than death. From the examples of the list above, I’ve concluded, for my own sanity, that there is no need to drink all the water from the ocean to know it is salty.

SURRENDER
But, here we are, trying to figure out how NOT to give up when all there is, is surrender to life, meanwhile, trusting it won’t fall apart. However, contrary to popular believe, surrender is not necessary a weakness. In fact, to concede, takes courage, and it is not a bad idea to do it, while there is still honorable moments to save, rather than, when there’s only shame to hide.

Succumbing to the inevitable should gives us, certain peace of mind. If we do, we are finally having the opportunity to observe life and all its dealings from the outside, but from a close distance. It is only then, that with a much calmer demeanor, we can enjoy what is left, without struggles.

I believe, having hope, prevents us from surrender completely to events in life. And I have to admit, giving up is the fastest way, to savor an abundant existence, because, at least for me, it is important to be happy, much more so, than to be right.

ONCE AGAIN, AGAIN
With this composition, once again, I have looked into my life and I see colors and beauty, I also see the past, and death, and broken love, crying, laughter; above all, I envision a bright future. With this duet, I wanted to express what it is, when surrender to LIFE brings me comfort.

Once again, I’ve looked into my life knowing that all storms run out of water eventually. I hope you would enjoy the music I have composed. Remember that with music, if you are paying attention, you’d feel so much more, much more than what any person can tell you about life.

©Javier Anaya