YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Do you remember the 1983 movie, The Big Chill? If so, you must be forty-something or even older or maybe you are young and enjoy the "classics". I consider The Big Chill to be a classic.

The soundtrack to the movie is a fantastic collection of songs from the 1960's. Remember the dinner clean-up scene where everyone is dancing around the kitchen and singing along with The Temptations’ "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg"? How about the funeral scene at the beginning of the movie when you hear, "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones?

The words go like this,
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need
Oh baby, yeah, yeah!

Well, it seems to me that those words apply to my life a lot. The truth is, I don’t always get what I want.

I want the slim figure I had in my 30's. I want to be able to go without makeup and not worry about covering the gray. I want to wear jeans with no concern for the dreaded muffin tops. In other words, I want to stay young forever.

I want a sexy sports car, a convertible sports car. And I know exactly what I want. I want a silver, 5 speed Mazda Miata with a Bose stereo. Yes, that’s what I want.

I want to jump out of bed every morning feeling energized and excited about going to work. I want to anticipate exercising and walking every evening with the same excitement that I have for chips and salsa.

But, you know, you can’t always get what you want. However, sometimes you get what you need.

I need to be content that, at nearly 54 years old, I am able to exercise and walk everyday. I need to be content in knowing that I make every effort to dress in style, keep up with the latest hair and skin care, and stay away from "mom" jeans. I don’t drive a sports car but I do drive a nice car that is paid for. I am fortunate to have a great job that provides me security and fulfillment.

So, I’ll admit it. I am shallow and I place too much importance on immaterial matters. It’s true that I don’t always get what I want. I never have and I never will. However, I do have everything I need. Oh baby, yeah, yeah!