“Most of us stand poised at the edge of brilliance, haunted by the knowledge of our proximity, yet still demonstrably on the wrong side of the line, our dealings with reality undermined by a range of minor yet critical psychological flaws (a little too much optimism, an unprocessed rebelliousness, a fatal impatience or sentimentality). We are like an exquisite high-speed aircraft which for lack of a tiny part is left stranded beside the runway, rendered slower than a tractor or a bicycle.”
– Alain de Botton
”The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work”
Sources:
- Quote: Thank you Whiskey River
- Image: “Detonation” by Van Evan Fuller via Mme Scherzo
Live & Learn 
Reblogged this on Bipolar Rubble and commented:
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Thanks for sharing Lauren.
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Love this…
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HI Sheila. Thank you…
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(a little too much optimism, an unprocessed rebelliousness, a fatal impatience or sentimentality). – If you are all 4 do you win a prize?
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Michael, I think if you are all four they balance each other out and you become the referenced “exquisite high speed aircraft.” And based on your recent posts, I think you’ve arrived.
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David,
You are the coolest man in blogland tonight. I have arrived at the starting line I will surely accept. Now I must actually participate in the race 🙂
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Well, I’m a realist who writes fantasy novels (a mental schism-inducing situation). It means that I really enjoy the initial creation of my novel, then the realist (some would call it pessimist) in me picks and revises and finds every excuse under the sun not to send my work off for fear of rejection. I’m probably better suited to writing my haiku, which is creative realism, fast published on my blog before I lose my nerve.
I must learn to take risks, but am a bit of an introvert, in that I’m friendly to those I encounter but don’t actively seek out company. This probably makes me the achetypal geek who enjoys communicating on-line but avoids large social activities in real life.
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I personally experience what you describe. Fight or flight response is our body’s natural response to stress. … automatic message brain sends a signal to the amygdala…to protect us against potential threats (criticisms). We are not alone.
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Reblogged this on Todd's Perspective.
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And I would add a little too much fear. Far be it for me to even think to alter de Botton’s beautiful quote – and so I won’t. But brilliance shines and that can be unnerving and scary (at least to some of us). So if a person has a garden variety insecurity coupled with a more unique awe of that which shines so brightly. From one who may never touch the sun…beautiful post David.
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Yes. I completely agree Mimi and this aligns squarely with Sarah’s comments above.
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Well, David, if we keep on with the fine-tuning and the honest self-evaluations of our work, we can spark that brilliance to flame forth. We must keep on keeping on.
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Sage advice Granbee…yes.
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Reblogged this on я℮ⅾωїłḓґøṧℯ﹩.
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