Music has been an integral part of my life since childhood; I almost always have some type of music playing.
This morning, my daughter chose a playlist I had created for her during a difficult time. It features a powerful mix of uplifting anthems, love songs, and tracks with meaningful lyrics I wanted her to hear.
After dropping her off at school and starting my commute, Corey Hart’s “Never Surrender” came on. Instantly, I was transported back to being a 6-year-old, listening to this song on a cassette tape with my small pink Boom Box. I loved it then, but its true depth and power only resonated with me this morning.
As I listened, I realized this song was the perfect theme for my divorce. The path of divorce is uncharted, leading away from the home you had, or thought you had.
What I’ve learned, and hope to impart, is the crucial importance of persevering and not surrendering who you truly are. You might have lost yourself in a toxic, dying marriage, but you don’t have to remain that person. Don’t be blinded by the lies told to you, or by those you’ve told yourself.
Divorce opens the door to a new life, one that will undoubtedly diverge from your previous plans. While moments of grief will arise, particularly during holidays, when encountering former bucket list items, or when past travel plans surface, it is perfectly normal and acceptable to acknowledge and mourn these losses.
This new chapter empowers you to craft a new bucket list. Perhaps it will include aspirations you always harbored but your former spouse did not share. Remember to celebrate the small victories you achieve along the way, as they are significant markers of your progress.
So remember…
Never surrender your dreams! Never surrender self-love! And never surrender the unique you that is a blessing to this world.
Never Surrender by Corey Hart
“Just a little more time is all we’re asking for
‘Cause just a little more time could open closing doors
Just a little uncertainty can bring you down
And nobody wants to know you now
And nobody wants to show you how
So if you’re lost and on your own
You can never surrender
And if your path won’t lead you home
You can never surrender”
And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
‘Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender
With a little perseverance
You can get things done
Without the blind adherence
That has conquered some
And nobody wants to know you now
And nobody wants to show you how
So if you’re lost and on your own
You can never surrender
And if your path won’t lead you home
You can never surrender”
And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
‘Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender
To never surrender
And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
No one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender
To never surrender
Oh, time is all we’re asking for
To never surrender
Oh, oh, you can never surrender
The time is all you’re asking for
Ooh, stand your ground, never surrender
Oh, I said
You never surrender, oh
