Good Grief

Iconic Peanuts character Charlie Brown once said, ~In the book of life the answers are in the back.~ In some aspect, life can be at times best described as being a character of the late great Charles Schulz's best known and beloved cartoon/comic strip many of us grew up reading/watching as kids...Peanuts. In a sense, the answers to life are in front of us staring us in the face as they're found in an array of colorful and not to mention memorable cast of characters you can in a way relate to in a deeply personal way. Essentially, you see yourself in not only in the character of Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, Franklin, Schroeder, etc., but also in certain aspects of life each of them go through that in a weird, eerily funny way parallel our own.

Let me ask you this question, when it comes to Charlie Brown and the gang who do you see yourself as and by far represents you? I think it would be safe to say there are quite a number of people who immediately have a character in mind. For any woman who possibly grew up as a tomboy wearing sandals all the time would gravitate to Peppermint Patty whereas guys who are musically talented and enjoy jamming on the piano would gravitate more towards the musical phenom Schroeder. Personally speaking, the character I see myself as is Charlie Brown's best friend Linus without the blanket and thumb sucking of course. Why Linus? Thinking about it, Linus to me shares moments of sage, thought provoking wisdom to those around him, which fits me perfectly.

If you think about it, you wouldn't normally expect the most annoying aspect of life known as drama to be associated with characters from a classic cartoon show/comic strip. However, when you take a step back to analyze it, drama and Peanuts character Pigpen coincide with each other because they both basically come in the form of a seemingly dark, stinky cloud you never want to find yourself in, close to, and/or around. For some, most or all people they not only know what the smell of drama is like, but know all too well what it feels like to be metaphorically standing in a dirty, cloudy mess of anger, hatred, jealousy, vindictiveness, etc. that was primarily caused by the absolute stench of a certain someone who makes it increasingly difficult for you to breathe.

For the question can be asked, how many of you compare love/relationships in regards to heartbreak and true happiness to that of Charlie Brown trying to successfully kick the football held by Lucy? In a sense, Lucy is a representation of pain, suffering, heartbreak, and pretty much all the negativity you've experienced in the past or currently are experiencing coming in the form of a guy/girl who is constantly taking away your chances of finally experiencing the kick of true happiness you're truly deserving of. It's a sad situation indeed for any person to go through as one always finds himself/herself on the ground looking up at the sky experiencing a plethora of unwanted emotions. Let me tell you something to those who are looking up at the sky, your time to finally kick the football will happen for you.

In retrospect, life may not always be as imaginative or even carefree for that matter as seen through the eyes of Snoopy along with his best bird bud Woodstock but we get by as best we can along with our own best buds. You see, even though it may be different situations for each of us, we all considerably go through the same encounters dealing with our own kite eating trees or metaphorically finding ourselves sprawled out on top of a pitching mound possibly with our clothes knocked off from us...who knows. In the end, you just have to not focus on all your failures/negativity in life like ole' Charlie Brown that have you uttering good grief; instead pray to God, read His word, and tune into/listen to the music from friends/family that help bring about smiles, laughter, and possibly the enjoyment of group dances.