A Same Old Brand-New Life -- Have You Had High Expectations That Resulted in the Same Old Story?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

Lately, I've been taking a self-evaluation of my life, and have been thinking about all the times I was going to "start a new life," whether because of a finishing a degree, moving to a new area, starting a new job, joining a new church, or a combination of everything all at once.

I have to say that for the most part, I didn't have any life-changing transformations -- my life didn't suddenly become more exciting or somehow more glamourous as I might have naively thought -- and in the end, it kind of all reverted back into the "same old, same old" version of my life in every new reiteration I tried.

It reminds me of the original animated version of The Little Mermaid, where all of the sea residents jubilantly perform their showpiece song, "Under the Sea." All the animals are joyously smiling, singing, laughing, and dancing, surely living out their best lives in that moment:



But the second the music stops, every single creature lets their happy, joyous smile drop, fall, and fade back into what it was before, while everyone slinks off "back to business" in their own little corners under the sea.





* Why do we all get so excited for "a new life," when so often, things just seem to resort back to the mean?

* Is it just human nature to try to imagine ourselves in a grander state of being than what we really are? (Since, after all, our end goal is heaven.)

* What events have triggered thoughts of, "I'm going to start a brand-new life!" for you? Graduating? Getting married? Moving? Having Kids? A new job or career?

* How did it go? Did you find the "new life" you were looking for -- or did it all somehow seem to go back to being the same?

* Were you left feeling satisfied or disappointed -- and are you still looking for something that will kick off another "new start"?

I realize that whatever it is I'm searching is something I won't find this side of heaven.

But I'd like to hear stories from other people who have experienced this too, and how they cope with the longing in the meantime, until God calls us home.

 

[Cameron143]

Hey Everyone,

Lately, I've been taking a self-evaluation of my life, and have been thinking about all the times I was going to "start a new life," whether because of a finishing a degree, moving to a new area, starting a new job, joining a new church, or a combination of everything all at once.

I have to say that for the most part, I didn't have any life-changing transformations -- my life didn't suddenly become more exciting or somehow more glamourous as I might have naively thought -- and in the end, it kind of all reverted back into the "same old, same old" version of my life in every new reiteration I tried.

It reminds me of the original animated version of The Little Mermaid, where all of the sea residents jubilantly perform their showpiece song, "Under the Sea." All the animals are joyously smiling, singing, laughing, and dancing, surely living out their best lives in that moment:

View attachment 275719

But the second the music stops, every single creature lets their happy, joyous smile drop, fall, and fade back into what it was before, while everyone slinks off "back to business" in their own little corners under the sea.

View attachment 275720



* Why do we all get so excited for "a new life," when so often, things just seem to resort back to the mean?

* Is it just human nature to try to imagine ourselves in a grander state of being than what we really are? (Since, after all, our end goal is heaven.)

* What events have triggered thoughts of, "I'm going to start a brand-new life!" for you? Graduating? Getting married? Moving? Having Kids? A new job or career?

* How did it go? Did you find the "new life" you were looking for -- or did it all somehow seem to go back to being the same?

* Were you left feeling satisfied or disappointed -- and are you still looking for something that will kick off another "new start"?

I realize that whatever it is I'm searching is something I won't find this side of heaven.

But I'd like to hear stories from other people who have experienced this too, and how they cope with the longing in the meantime, until God calls us home.

Darling it's better,
Down where it's wetter.
Take it from me.

Life is best when you are enjoying it. You can do that anywhere, and under any circumstances.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

When I was younger I wanted to be a policeman when I grew up. I started going to a Community College for a 2 year degree in Law Enforcement. I was sidetracked after I found Christ and obediently went to South America as a Missionary less than a year after I got saved. When I returned after about 2 years I completed the 2 year degree and transferred to a 4 year college where I got a degree in Criminology while working as a Reserve Police Officer. I got hired on and attended a Police Academy. I'd achieved my goal but it turned out I wasn't well suited for that job. I resigned and after about a year found myself in the Air Force. I retired from that job with disabilities at age 46 and haven't earned a nickel since. When my first major physical impediment showed itself, I made a decision that I'd do my best to live life to the fullest despite the problem. I was only 33 when life became physically difficult.

I hired a contractor to build a house for the family in Alaska where I'd purchased land for that purpose years earlier. I'd planned to live out my life on that property but a day came when I realized that I simply wasn't physically able to maintain the property any longer. I decided we'd move to the lower 48 where life was a bit easier and after researching and visiting several states we ultimately settled for Wyoming.

I never knew fulfillment in my employment but I've enjoyed my daily walk in/with Christ. Being saved allows one to know the value of this experience we call life in our mortal bodies, and we have the assurance of immorality in new bodies that won't wear out, or ache, or fail us. I'm perfectly content in the sunset years of my life and with each day that passes, I'm that much closer to being with Jesus. Life is good.

I've experienced a few twists and turns in life. I did get married and raise 4 children along the way. Things have a way of working out when we have God who turns things to good. Sometimes it takes time to see how things worked out, and in some/many cases we might not understand the good until we enter into the forever phase of our lives.

 

[Mem]

Maybe

I realize that whatever it is I'm searching is something I won't find this side of heaven.

But I'd like to hear stories from other people who have experienced this too, and how they cope with the longing in the meantime, until God calls us home.

Maybe we've yet to look at the 'same old story' quite right.

Following a study that linked to Romans 8:20-21,
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
I clicked "read full chapter" and read the conclusion of the chapter saying, "...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

All of creation was subjected to vanity...in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
A commentary within the study lesson from one of my 'go to in a crunch' teachers, JP Parsons "Is Life Worth Living?" Apr 24, 2025, compelled me to follow the link to Romans, "Vanity has an end, *chaverim, and this end affects the entire universe. The prophetic future holds hope that salvation will be literally cosmic in its sweep."

I think, perhaps, we keep coming to that 'same old' feeling after each time we reach any sort of "is this it?" point and this moment is the underlying expectation that we, and the rest of creation, are actually hoping to (have) come to.
And *chaverim means 'beloved' so, at any rate, we're at least halfway there if we've come to the full realization of the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Lynx]

I just go where life takes me and see what happens. I never have been big on establishing a career or making New Year's resolutions.

I've had a pretty nice life though.

I can't wait to see what happens next.