I could have chosen many quotes this time, since I feel like I’ve learned much in the last few short weeks, yet somehow, this one seemed more pertinent to how I’ve been feeling lately.

It’s true that history seems to unfold the same way time and time again. There was the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994 that occurred within 50 years of the Holocaust, famine struck China much the same way it did in Ireland a century previously, even the current issue of gay marriage seems strikingly similar to the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. Yet when history unfolds, it is never the same way. Something new always happens, like a verse in the great Song of History. And much like a song, with each new rhyme an understanding of the previous rhyme comes to light.

The other reason for choosing this quote is because of what’s been happening in my own personal history lately.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been in a difficult situation. A situation where I felt stressed 24/7, in constant fear of my surroundings, worried that I’m just not cut out for the world and in constant hope of a respite or reprieve. At times I don’t even really know what all the difficulty is worth; I don’t quite know what it is I’m doing it for.

And yet, knowing that history rhymes gives me comfort. I’ve often jokingly told my friends that Coldplay is the only consistent thing in my life, and it’s no surprise that a Coldplay song came on the radio as I was writing this post. With each iteration, I can only hope that enduring the situation I’m in now will give me understanding of the difficult times of the past, and some preparation for the future.

And as the Starks of Winterfell warn that “Winter is Coming,” so I must also accept that difficult situations will come again. Verses will be sung. Choruses will repeat and histories will rhyme in the great Song of History.