My latest guest is Tim Clark
from the Life Explained blogs on Google +. Tim writes for The Wild Word and has
been published in the Huffington Post. He will also pen an upcoming column for
the The Wild Word in the near future.
This month's topic is
learning to love life. Like Kevin James says, "Don't sweat the small
stuff." Without further ado, here is Tim's post. You can find him at
http://tim-thingsastheyare.blogspot.com/. If you ever need a pick me up or some
food for thought, Mr. Clark is your man!
Life is kind of strange. In fact, life is full blown bozo.
If you were to track the normal parts of life and balance them against the
strange, and I have, you would see the shocking disparity. Strangeness wins
hands down every time.
Think of the times you laid out a plan, every contingency
covered, to be somewhere at a certain time, or do something in a particular
fashion, and then think about how, despite the careful, thorough blueprint for
success the whole thing fell apart. Better yet, don’t think about it. It is too
depressing.
Instead, think about something happy. Life is too short.
And, you know what, life is going to go on. If you are late once in a while
don’t sweat it. It happens. If you have to change your plans embrace the
opportunity. Sometimes the water is so refreshing if you change horses in
mid-stream. In fact, maybe try carrying the horse across the stream. Think of
the conversations that will foster.
Nietzsche said “and those who were seen dancing were
considered insane by those who can’t hear the music.” Nobody wants to be
considered insane, but if you don’t hear the music maybe you are not trying
hard enough, or maybe you are trying too hard. Relax, life flows, and we can’t
stop that.
I have always
wondered why things happen in such a random way. Just once it would be nice to
see something work out the way it should. Religions, the works of philosophers,
the ramblings of old drunken friends, self-prescribed medication, I have looked
everywhere, and probably always will. But, there does not seem to be an answer.
Once I learned to live with the vagaries, and
inconsistencies I found some happiness. Some small satisfaction. I don’t need answers. I have become happy
with the questions.
This is the gift I try to give, the lesson I try to teach
with my blog. Never stop looking, but follow the advice the Sphinx gave to the
Austrian Legionnaire when he asked for the secret of life. “Don’t expect too
much.” If we can all learn that life is
brief, sometimes brutal, and occasionally exquisite life will be better for
everybody.
Thank you for your time. Thank you, Susan, for this
opportunity, to spread the word, and “thank you, Lord for thinking about me,
I’m alive and doing fine.” *
*From Signs by the
Five Man Electric Band.
You sir are a modern day philosopher, add Susan's imagination and I'm sure you guys could rule the world!
ReplyDeleteIn the words of George Takei, "Oh my!" I don't think the world is equipped for that meeting of the minds, Captain! Thanks for reading & all of your support!
ReplyDelete