Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Do happy endings really exist?

I read an interesting book this weekend that asked the question, “Is there really such a thing as a happy ending?” You know, the type that takes place at the end of a book or movie.
Guy meets girl, they marry: happy ending.
Or, creative genius reaches his goal, his work is recognized: happy ending.
Well, the answer to that question is simply, NO. (Hold on with me her for a second.)
The answer is no because life goes on! Well, in the real world it does. Life doesn’t just stop in a blissful glow because we’ve reached a goal. There’s still work to do!
Trust me, getting a book published wasn’t the end of the story for me. In fact, it’s just a step on a path that still leaves me feeling out of breath sometimes. :-) But I’m still glad I’m here.
The point of this short post? Don’t think of happy endings as endings. They are in fact new beginnings.
In a sense, aren’t you glad that’s the way it goes?

By the way, if you’re looking for a good little book to spend a day or two on, I can recommend Beth Pattillo’s Jane Austen Ruined My Life.
I love that title. :)

16 comments:

Arlee Bird said...

That's an interesting way of looking at it, but then again I think about movies I've seen or books that I've read that had really "happy endings" and it left me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Life goes on with ups and downs.
Lee

Brianna said...

Amen! After all, life is a never-ending story! ;-)

Emily Ann Benedict said...

"What happens next" always nags me too. :P But books just can't go on forever (sigh). ;)
A major part of life is happy endings still need care and work.
One "type" of person the book pointed out was someone who reaches a goal and then steps back and assumes that's it. In doing so the happy ending starts to decay.

Unknown said...

Just by the title, I want to read that book! lol

Happy endings really aren't endings. You're right. I love that!

Elana Johnson said...

This is so true! That's why most of my books don't end happily. I like to call them "resolutions" instead of "endings." The book resolves. The story continues. You know?

Unknown said...

Sound like a good book, I'm always looking for another one to read. Oh, I found you through Joanne of Blessed is who she is...

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Resolutions? I like that! It's true, a book really just resolve the current plot line. :)

Karen Lange said...

Hadn't thought of it like that, but it's an interesting way to look at it. As long as we remember to find joy in the journey (speaking to myself here). Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Karen

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Enjoying the journey is so important, but for some reason it is hard to remember to do just that.
We all need a reminder regularly. :)

Mari said...

Hi! Thanks for stopping at my blog today. I've enjoyed reading your blog and I think your book sounds good. Interesting thought about happy endings - it really isn't the end is it? I never thought of it that way.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Happy Beginnings! I like those kind of endings . . . that lead us into the sunrise of eternity.

Emily Ann Benedict said...

It is a fun way of looking at things.
Sunrise of eternity? That's a beautiful way of looking at it.
It's true, even when it comes to our final breath on earth, we are once again facing a new beginning.
Thanks for the comments everyone! :)

Warren Baldwin said...

The ending does keep changing! It is a happy ending getting your book published, but then a whole new story starts - promoting it. That is true of life, too, isn't it?

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Very true, Warren. The funny thing is we rarely ever think about what happens next.

Bernadine said...

Thinking of happy endings as new beginnings... I like that.
Lovely post

Joanne said...

I like your thought, that a happy ending is actually a new beginning. It leaves the door open for so much possibility!