Blue Moon

Blue Moons aren’t blue.

Since we just had a Blue Moon, you probably already know that, especially if you had a clear night and could actually see it.

Blue Moons are typically the second full moon in a particular 

month.  It happens every two or three years, so it’s not all that rare.  The next one will be in January 2018.

Usually, if we think of something that’s rare, we think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of event.  While Blue Moons aren’t that at all, there is only one of them out of every 30-40 full moons, so I think that still counts as rare.

The song by the same name is a standard that was written in the 1930’s by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, recorded by Connie Boswell in 1935.  It first became a hit in 1949.

Actually, and fittingly, it became a hit twice that year, first for Billy Eckstine and then for Mel Tormé.

Elvis Presley brought it into rock and roll in the 1950’s, and the Marcels took their version to the top of the charts in 1961.

It has been recorded in many styles and by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, the Mavericks, the Cowboy Junkies and Ella Fitzgerald.

I think we take the idea of a Blue Moon to heart. Somehow, we get this idea that there is only one of something for us, and if we miss it, we’re lost as it will never come around again.

It comes up often with job opportunities, when we just weren’t in the exact right place at the exact right time.  If only we had answered that call, or gone on that interview, or given that one different answer.  It would have made all the difference, and now there is only regret.

Many are doing something now for a living because they feel like they missed that one chance to pursue their dreams.

And it comes up with relationships and love all the time.  Movies, television, books and music all suggest to us that there’s one chance at love, and if you miss it, you’re doomed to be alone forever.

Life isn’t all or none.  And you have new opportunities to be happy, to be fulfilled, to be loved, every single day.

But the only one who can decide to be happy, to be fulfilled and to be loved is you.

That can be a lot of responsibility.

And maybe that’s why so many make the decision to not.  It looks easier and there’s no risk.

And that’s the trap.  Because there is all kinds of risk.  You just don’t see it.  And time has a way of flying by, so when you do finally see it, there’s a lot less sand left in your hourglass.

What would make you happy?  There’s no right or wrong answer.  But you should really think about it.  Because when you get to the answer that’s right for you, it could surprise you.

And what would make you feel fulfilled?  If it isn’t your current job, what would that perfect job look like?  And what do you need to do to get there?  You may not be able to do that today, but you can start to think and plan, and there’s an element of that which can be fulfilling in and of itself.  Just the act of doing something that leads to where you want to be can ease your burden.

Then there’s love.

I used to say that I wanted to find someone who knew me and loved me anyway.  At the time, I had no idea how low I was setting the bar.  But having someone love you, in spite of who you really are, isn’t all that great. 

On the other hand, finding someone who knows you and loves you BECAUSE of who you are, that can make all the difference in the world.

And when I say “knows you” that doesn’t mean they need to know everything about you.  But they can know your heart.  The rest will follow.  You just have to be willing to share that.

Maybe this can all be a goal, for all of us.  Happiness, career and love (not necessarily in that order).

And while we can shoot for having it all by the next Blue Moon, there’s another Blue Moon in March of 2018.  And another one in October of 2020.  And so on.