Learn to Live

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And you've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above - Bruce Springsteen, Tunnel of Love

The first time I heard that line I knew it was exceptional.

The longer you go in life the more factual it becomes.

There are just so many things that can truly tear you down. There are times when you take faith in people and are surprised by the things they do.

And the options are simple, really.

Learn to live with the disappointment...

...or....

Let it tear you down.

I think about that line a lot because there are so many things in this life that will make you shake your head.

Sometimes people just behave like you wouldn't expect them to behave, and while the disappointment is something you can feel...you really can't do much about it.

So, you learn to live.

I'm not quite sure why this line has been stuck in my head for the past couple of days, but it has been, and while there's an optimism involved I always thought it was a mostly pessimistic view of things, but the years pass and you digest a lot of things that you didn't want to have to swallow in this life, and it becomes less pessimistic...

...and more realistic.

It's the way it goes.

There will certainly be a number of things that are just what they are.

"It is what it is."

And you beat your head trying to change it, but all you end up with is a sore head.

Bruce is right.

You've got to learn

He chose the words carefully.

Rise above the disappointment if you can.

If you can't.

Learn to live with it.

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