Photo by James Wheeler
Thought for the Week
“I’m not telling you to make the world better…I’m just telling you to live in it. Not just to endure it, not just to suffer it, not just to pass through it, but to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment. And if you ask me why you should bother to do that, I could tell you that the grave’s a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace. Nor do they sing there, or write, or argue, or see the tidal bore on the Amazon, or touch their children.”
~Joan Didion
I love the above quote, but would dare to append the late Ms. Didion in this regard:
Do make the world better, not by preaching at it, but by being fully alive. Live conspicuously. Not ostentatiously (that’s a desperate sign of deadness). But inexorably. Live in such a way that others cannot help but see in you what alive means–especially when you fail. And live in such a way that others would be fools not to, joyfully or begrudgingly, but inevitably, catch your habit of singing, writing and arguing, marveling at tidal bores and, yes, of touching your children.
If you make the world or even just your little corner of the world better, then you are living. Not sure why people seem to think that they have to do great and huge things. Sometimes small and nearly imperceptible things still moves forward and improves things. Life is about giving … life is about change … life is about being the best form of you that you can be and not letting others silence your inner joy and beauty. Life is about living. Depends on the definition given to ostentatiously…there is the money one and there is the living life like it matters, like you can matter, like others matter. OK, that’s my wax poetic for the day 😉
Nice job of waxing, Jean. ;>)
Thanks 😀 Sometimes Waxing gives other ideas to creatives 😉
This is a great post!! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Charlotte.
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And laughing at fun-ish stuff!
Wonderful, encouraging post.
I once saw the following quote: “Life’s greatest accomplishment is the continual remaking of yourself until at last you finally know how to live.” Your commentary on Joan Didion’s paragraph reminded me of this.
Wonderful post! Wise words! :
Thank you, Carolyn!
Mitch – You reminded me why I love Joan Didion! But I also love your addendum! Totally agree on every point! Live for certain! Live out loud! Find JOY! Children often hold the key!
They do indeed.
I love Joan Didion. The first book I read was in college – Roses in December – but I love your addendum much better. Have a great week Mitch!
Thanks, you too, Gregory!
Amen! You nailed it, Mitch. 👍
Thank you, Annie.
Love the quote you shared and your addendum. I think it should always come with the addendum so there’s no doubt in how to ‘live’. Thank you for this, Mitch 🙂
Thanks and blessings, Smitha.
Thank you, Mitch 🙏🙂
Cheers, to both you and Ms. Didion. (Some hugs too!)
Thank you, Dawn. I gladly accept Ms. Didion’s hugs on her behalf.
Profound‼️ Thank you for the great fooooooood for thought!
My privilege, Dori.
No offense to Ms. Didion, but I prefer your paragraph, Mitch, which inspires more than just embracing experience. Experience-with-a-higher-purpose is where true fulfillment can be found.
Aw, thanks, Nancy.
Hear, hear!
Appreciate your citing one of my favorite authors, Joan Didion. But heaps of gratitude for your rewrite of her words.