I was deep in meta-cognition mode pondering the idea that someone, at some point in time, has probably thought the same thoughts that I have considered to be original. In a moment of sad irony, a radio ad rattled off Ecclesiastes 1:9 which ends with “there is nothing new under the sun.” Struck by the coincidence, or divine intervention, of hearing these words while contemplating the concept of original thought I became unsure of how I should react to this revelation.

On one hand this news is incredibly frustrating. I never liked these lyrics to the Beatles hit All You Need Is Love:

There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It’s easy

Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy

I was always left with this question when I heard these words. “If there is nothing original I can contribute to life, then what is the point to my life at all?”

After a few days of reflecting on this idea and speaking with colleagues about this concept of “Nothing New Under The Sun”  a new understanding of this concept came forward. This concept should not frustrate me but rather free me from some kind of expectation that Life is waiting for me to try and produce some new idea. The hard work of creating Life has been done and redone countless times throughout history. It is much more valuable to spend my resources enjoying the world around me then trying to accomplish tasks in order to earn some sort of ‘atta-boy’ from Life.

I have developed an appreciation for John Lennon’s lyrics. I no longer think he is saying “No matter what you do it is pointless since it has already been done.” Rather, I now see his words as “Don’t worry about doing or making things. Enjoy being you, since you truly are the only version of ‘you’ there has been or will ever be.”

So I say all that to say this. I have a clear understanding I am not even close to the first person to want to share ideas on a blog. I am also glad John Lennon wrote his lyrics down rather than just pass-over this concept because someone had already shared his thoughts in a different way…

Welcome to Starnado. My dumping grounds for quick stories, deep thoughts, and what I hope will somehow be useful information to anyone willing to read. Peace.