It’s Getting Better All the Time

Posted on May 4, 2026 by mitchteemley
It's Getting Better All the TimePhoto by Isabella and Zsa Fischer

Thought for the Week

“I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time. (Echo: It can’t get no worse.)”

“It’s Getting Better All the Time.” Although the lyrics to this classic Beatles’ song are attributed to “Lennon and McCartney,” it’s known that John Lennon, a disenchanted idealist (i.e. pessimist), only contributed the words in the echo. You can guess which of the two songwriting greats was happier with his life.

Perfect is the enemy of Better. Why? Because it’s a mirage, a destination that doesn’t exist. So, ironically, it isn’t those who believe in Perfect who improve their lives, but those who believe in Better. Even missteps are useful (“Well, now I know that doesn’t work”). So celebrate the steps, even the missteps, and then press on, because if you do, you’ll find…

It’s getting better all the time.

~O~

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
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28 Responses to It’s Getting Better All the Time

  1. Ionia Froment says:
    May 4, 2026 at 10:57 am

    I often trip over my own feet. But I get up and go again. 🤗

    Reply
  2. Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬ says:
    May 4, 2026 at 11:05 am

    Actually, my friend, I believe George Harrison was the most content. 🙏🏼

    Reply
  3. Fifienne says:
    May 4, 2026 at 11:17 am

    “I finally found my rhythm when I realized that even the steps backwards were just part of the dance” Melody Godfred

    Reply
  4. Citizen Jane says:
    May 4, 2026 at 11:24 am

    Love this song!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says:
    May 4, 2026 at 11:37 am

    I’m thankful for the missteps that have made me who I am today. It did get better…and it does all the time because I’m never walking the path alone. God is always with me.

    Reply
  6. Nancy Ruegg says:
    May 4, 2026 at 11:55 am

    The Beatles didn’t know that in addition to pessimism, optimism, and realism, we have one more option: uptimism. The uptimist (A word from the “Nancy Ruegg Dictionary of Words We Really Need”) looks up toward God, trusting that out of his love, goodness, and wisdom, he’ll do what’s right. Not that the uptimist never experiences trouble or pain. But he/she remains confident God will use difficult circumstances for good, just as he’s promised (Romans 8:28). I’m old enough to have seen these truths played out numerous times in the lives of numerous uptimists. Their joy amidst tears has been the unmistakable proof.

    Reply
  7. Andrew McDowell says:
    May 4, 2026 at 4:42 pm

    Well put, Mitch.

    Reply
  8. קרה אהרן says:
    May 4, 2026 at 5:42 pm

    People who believe that they are perfect see no reason to improve their lives. Better always leaves room for improvement.

    Reply
  9. Nancy Homlitas says:
    May 4, 2026 at 6:07 pm

    Seeking perfection can paralyze you. The daughter of a friend needed to hand in her project to qualify for her Master’s degree. According to her psychologist father, she did an extraordinary job. But she didn’t hand it in because it wasn’t “perfect.” She never got the degree. 🙁

    Reply
  10. marthadilo3 says:
    May 4, 2026 at 7:07 pm

    So very true!

    Reply
  11. Terry says:
    May 5, 2026 at 7:55 am

    It’s interesting that you used the words “press on”. Just yesterday I watched a documentary about June Carter Cash and that was her mantra. In fact, it was the title of her last album. Good concept and words, Mitch.

    Reply
  12. Bronlima says:
    May 5, 2026 at 1:32 pm

    I like the vesion of 5ns quote….The optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole……. and the realist eats it!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says:
    May 5, 2026 at 11:55 pm

    Love this… “So celebrate the steps, even the missteps, and then press on, because if you do, you’ll find…

    It’s getting better all the time.” So true! Happy evening.

    Reply
  14. ibarynt says:
    May 6, 2026 at 1:40 am

    I’m a little bit of a pessimist at the moment, but deep inside I know it will get better.

    Reply

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