I was drawing a blank tonight as I tried to come up with something new to write about. I went to one of my idea generation tools - "Stumbling Upon". It's a tool that lets you select topics that interest you, and then it serves up random sites that meet your criteria.
It's a great way to wake up your muse.
Tonight I came across a site that had quotations by Kurt Vonnegut. I've read most of his books and he always pushed the envelop.
He wrote: I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.
Dang, how profound is that? Here in the country we say "you can't fly on one wing," which is the Appalachian American way of saying the same thing.
I think a lot of people don't live life to the fullest because of fear. They fear that someone won't approve, or that someone will make fun of them; they fear they might fail.
To me, if you don't sample all that life has to offer, you've already failed, without trying.
Life is short and I doubt we'll be lying on out deathbeds saying "dang, I wish I'd played it safer."
Thanks Kurt.
It's a great way to wake up your muse.
Tonight I came across a site that had quotations by Kurt Vonnegut. I've read most of his books and he always pushed the envelop.
He wrote: I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.
Dang, how profound is that? Here in the country we say "you can't fly on one wing," which is the Appalachian American way of saying the same thing.
I think a lot of people don't live life to the fullest because of fear. They fear that someone won't approve, or that someone will make fun of them; they fear they might fail.
To me, if you don't sample all that life has to offer, you've already failed, without trying.
Life is short and I doubt we'll be lying on out deathbeds saying "dang, I wish I'd played it safer."
Thanks Kurt.
Great quote from Kurt. He is a good writer. And I'll check out that link. Thanks. wb
ReplyDeleteI love Stumbling! I spend most of my down time doing this. I have to say I have never heard either of those quotes but they are definitely ones to keep in mind. I try not to live in fear but it's not as easy as it seems (at least to me). Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of stumbling. Just signed up. What fun! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote. I've always thought that regret for chances not taken and endless "what ifs" are more fearsome than potential failures or embarrassment. (Which has led to some spectacular screw-ups in life, but hey, I learned a lot and experienced a lot.)
ReplyDeleteLovely quote from Mr Kurt - one of my fave authors!!! Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a most uplifting post!! Here's to living life to the full and without fear! Take care
x
oh yes, yes, yes. live on the edge. live with enthusiasm. I've been on the edge so long I have no idea what the middle looks like.
ReplyDeleteWell, interesting point of view...but I tend to "play it safe" a lot, I think, and it feels good to be in that place. I don't like being an extremist in most circumstances. I admire those that can go out on a limb...it's just not for all of us. My quote is "better safe than sorry"....not that I wouldn't sample something new...just would never stand on the edge and look over, or be the first to do something. Bok-bok-bok...yes, that's chicken little me!!
ReplyDeleteGood food for thought...good post!
Thanks all for your thoughts.
ReplyDelete@Donna, I hear what you're saying. It is more comfortable playing it safe.
But for me, the times that I've felt most alive was when I did something that scared the crap out of me.