The Talking Heads song has a stark contrast between the desperation of its lyrics – "I got some groceries, some peanut butter / To last a couple of days" – and its music, which is a stone cold jam.
This morning two members of our team, from Eastern Ukraine, didn't show up for the morning meeting.
How do we go on when something like this happens?
Prince answers that for me: "Life is a party, and parties weren't meant to last."
To be able to party, you have to have two things: something to celebrate and energy to work.
When I was 18 to 19, several people I knew died unexpectedly. At the time, I felt terribly sorry for myself for my bad luck. I put my energy into feeling bad instead of partying.
What a waste! I felt bad because I took for granted my good fortune – fortunate to have had such a rich life, I could know so many people.
And more, I also didn't yet understand that people would just keep dying all my life. Parties weren't meant to last.
Now I start with gratitude for what I have, for those we haven't lost (yet!).
Then I work. A party is work, because you have to bring energy to a celebration. So the celebration needs to be worth it, it needs meaning.
Life is a desperate jam. We never know which party will be the last. I decided long ago to honor those passed by rededicating myself to living.
Fight for your right to party. Even if you're dancing with tears in your eyes.