Diamonds Are Not Forever

Image Courtesy of Anusorn P Nachol
www.freedigitalphotos.net

Do you feel that chill?  If you are one of my many readers hailing from the tropics, I do not mean the breeze flowing from the vent in your air-conditioned dwelling.  I am of course referring to the actual climate change occurring in the North-Eastern United States.  Winter is already creeping in on the fall, which has really only just arrived.  Sadly, this means that summer has passed.  It couldn't last forever, just like everything else.

The summer is always a wonderful season; it’s warm, bright, and full of adventure.  This year’s was even more of a treat thanks to all of the excitement of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games held in London.  In my opinion, the greatest moment of the games, beyond the games, would have to be the opening ceremony.  There are two main reasons.  First off, her majesty (is that really necessary when the next part of your title is “Queen”…) Queen Elizabeth II was escorted to the Olympic Games, via helicopter ride and then an adrenaline-fueled parachute jump, by none other than James Bond (cue the 007 spy theme).  Secondly, Sir Paul McCartney concluded the ceremony beautifully and powerfully with the Beatles’ hit “Hey Jude.”

The other day I was reminded of those two iconic components of British pop culture, James Bond and The Beatles.  October 5, 2012 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the release of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, and the Beatles’ debut single “Love Me Do.”  I was stunned to hear this very interesting and hard-to-believe fact.  Moments later my attention was grabbed by a trailer for the newest James Bond film, Skyfall.  My mind immediately began to wander and recall the fond memories of the countless 007 movies I have seen in the past.  My mind raced with characters, actors, gadgets, locales, and film titles.  Bond, James Bond, Connery, Brosnan, Carmen Electra, Pussy Galore, Aston Martin, grapple gun, jetpack, ski pole gun, Prague, Venice, the Bahamas, Goldfinger, The World Is Not Enough, From Russia With Love, Diamonds Are Forever.  Who doesn't love James Bond!? 

A few days after this surge in spy-related thought, the title Diamonds Are Forever still lingered.  I thought about that phrase for a while.  The words “diamond” and “forever” have been used together before.  The line, “A Diamond is Forever” was created in the 1950s by an advertising copy-writer working on the De Beers account.  It is definitely one of the most impactful and well-known tag lines in advertising history.  In my opinion, it perfectly and poetically represents the enduring physical characteristics of, and strong emotional bond (advertising at its best) created by a diamond. 

It is great copy-writing, but haven’t you ever heard of someone losing their diamond ring, or having a change of heart?  Boom!  Nothing is forever, not even a diamond.

                                          

Yes, some things last longer than others, but in the end nothing will last forever.  This includes things both material and immaterial.  The immaterial part includes ideas, emotions, and feelings.  Some might say that some very enduring things do exist; yes they do, but are they ever completely unchanged?  Change is something that always finds its way into life.  Sometimes it is positive change, sometimes it is negative change, and perhaps even neutral other times.  It is part of the natural ebb and flow.    

If you choose to take this view, you can enjoy more of life and worry about a lot less.

Diagnosis: Fuel-Pump Disorder

Last week I was feeling great (more than usual), and it seemed as though everything was going right.  I hadn't a worry in sight.  Then my car wouldn't start.  I was car-less from Friday at 2:00 p.m. to Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. as the mechanic replaced the fuel pump and then charged handsomely for it.  This problem came without warning and caused some disruption in my schedule.  I should have known all the good feelings couldn't last for long before something like this happened. 

I felt upset and depressed as Friday evening rolled around and I was sort of stranded; one unsuccessful turn of a key and there I was with a big 4,000 lb. problem in front of me.  My best bud was planning to visit that night, but I attempted to preempt the get-together because of a change in mood (I had better things to do like sulk over my misfortune).  Before my friend could respond to my negative expression, I retracted my previous statement and labeled it a lapse in judgment.  I quickly replied with something to the effect of, “scratch that, can’t wait to see you bud; tonight will be legendary.”  He showed up, and we had a blast!  I may not have forgotten about the car issue, but it sure didn't matter as much.

Experiencing a steady period of good fortune, then a low point, and then a high point soon after, made me realize something.  Diamonds are not forever— favorable situations cannot last as long as you’d like, but on the other hand troublesome or adverse periods do not last as long as you fear they might.

Understanding the transitory nature of life teaches us two lessons: 

1.  Embrace the good things, wholeheartedly, while they last.  Be grateful for your health and everything else you have, and cherish the people that are close to you.  Don’t take anything for granted.

2.  Don’t dwell on difficulties, negativities, or losses.  Their effects cannot last forever, especially if you work to overcome them.  As the famous saying goes, “this too shall pass.”

Bam.