It seems that the most beautiful songs have a touch of sadness. Maybe this is to make us appreciate how precious and special life is. In the song, “Let her go” by Passenger we are reminded to be grateful for what we have before it’s gone. I created a ukulele cover and tutorial to this lovely song where you can read and listen to the full lyrics and song meaning.

It’s amazing how quickly we can forget the past moments when we had less, and start to feel unhappy with what we have. “Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low.” We are never satisfied. Because there are always bigger, better things that we want. We take the things we used to love so dearly for granted as our gaze shifts and refocuses into the distance taking in all the things we want but don’t have. But imagine if all those things were stripped away. That moment when we have lost everything is when we start to see how beautiful those memories are in hindsight.

Well you only need the light when it’s burning low…

It was four months after hurricanes Irma and Maria until we got electricity again… lights again… But we have it now. So how are we going to act and live differently? This experience, it changed us, and during the aftermath of the storm and, from stories I’ve heard, during the time of the storm, us virgin islanders, we were so powerful and strong, motivators of positive thinking. During those times our hearts overflowed with thank you’s, we were grateful for anyone coming to our aid, even if it was the simplest thing and way too late. We acknowledged our neighbors, greeted each other with a “how are you”, but really how are you? your house? your sanity? And these hurricanes of disaster, sorrow and loss have happened to everyone. So now that we’ve recovered, rejuvenated, risen up (Happy Easter to those who celebrate!) how quickly will we go back to our old ways? How quickly will we forget how much we wanted and yearned for what we take for granted now?

Of course, I don’t support (and I don’t think the song does either) remaining in a damaging, hurtful or abusive situation or relationship because you should “just be grateful”. Obviously our goal should always be progress and finding happiness and beautiful moments of peace by moving away from pain and abuse. But sometimes we find ourselves forgetting that we are in the midst of something wonderful and beautiful. Practicing being grateful is a daunting task, especially when things can be stressful and tough. But practice makes progress, and the outcome of gratefulness is well worth the challenge. When we practice being grateful then we realize each and every person has something to be happy about; something to sing about; something to dance about. And the more we sing, dance and be happy, the more we can spread these feelings in others and begin to see and experience the love.

I challenge you to be grateful for what you’ve got now and not have to let her go to learn that you were happy.

We just, don’t know what we’ve got ‘til it’s gone. So know you love her and don’t…

let her go