It’s Possible. The Pendulum Always Swings-That’s Life

I don’t typically listen to Frank Sinatra music. But when I hit a rough patch in my life, my brother sent me the song That’s Life by Frank Sinatra. He said it reminded him of me. The song has a hopeful tone and lyrics that I totally related to.

The song reminded me that life is like a pendulum that always swings back. So, everyone, at some point, feels like they will never get out of the hole they find themselves in. However, the season of life will always change and swing to the other side.

What Does ‘The Pendulum Always Swings’ Mean?

Pendulums always swings is a metaphor often used when trying to explain that situations don’t last. It swings back and forth much like life. If you ever feel like you’ve veered in the wrong direction, you will eventually come back to your default. Many people (including me) make the mistake of overly identifying with their negative states of mind which are situational and temporary.

This causes them to place themselves in a box. Coming out of it can take some time and healing. However, if we become self-conscious about being self-conscious, it can take longer for the pendulum to swing back.

When we can’t see a way out of our circumstances and pain, we feel defeated or like we are suffering from a special condition that no one else has ever experienced. Your feeing’s are valid at that moment. But it’s not the end all. It’s temporary. Once we can see clearly, we can make changes that help us get back to our normal.

Can you relate to these lyrics?

(That's life)

That's what all the people say

You're riding high in April, shot down in May

But I know I'm gonna change that tune

When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I said that's life

(That's life)

And as funny as it may seem

Some people get their kicks

Stomping on a dream

But I don't let it, let it get me down

Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin' around…

You may notice that the lyrics reference the fact that the world keeps spinning around. So, whatever you go through, time doesn't stop. It may feel like your world has stopped, but everything keeps moving forward. Some months of the year, you may feel like you're struggling, while others may make you feel on top of the world.

Life throws challenges and curveballs in our direction. How we respond to these difficulties builds our character, mindset, and resilience, giving us the tools to crush fear and navigate future problems more easily.

Remember, life is a pendulum. It goes back and forth from sad to happy, from ugly to beautiful, and from hard to easy. Keep hope alive when you find yourself struggling in a difficult season and strive to keep yourself levelheaded as you go through its challenges.

These lyrics reminded  me that life has its ups and downs for all of us because, well, that’s life. It’s not meant to be easy.

Don’t worry. You will swing back to the other side. It’s Possible.