Go without a coat; find out what cold is. Go hungry; keep your existence lean. Wear away the fat, get down to the lean tissue and see what it’s all about. The only time you define your character is when you go without. In times of hardship, you find out what you’re made of and what you’re capable of. If you’re never tested, you’ll never define your character.
~ Henry Rollins
Image: holyholychic via thegiftsoflife
Dave,
I have been thinking a lot about stripping down my existence- too many responsibilities, too many material things, too much time spent spinning wheels. This passage stokes that desire. We’ll see where it goes.
So Thanksgiving is over but the gratitude rolls on. I’m grateful for your messages and our connection.
Tom
I’m not as far along as you are Tom. But I’m closing in. Thanks for your kind words and I too very much appreciate the connection and virtual relationship. Dave
I’d like to think that character is defined by what we do – not just when we are doing without – but by what we do with what we have.
Hmmmm, yes. Good and I agree Mimi. Rollins should add this to his soliloquy.
Very sparse but powerful message my friend. It is how we treat others, not what we accumulate that defines us.
Thanks Keith. I’m with you.
I agree with Mimi’s comment.
Me too…
I’m all for not accumulating stuff.
But – it seems to me that this is an entreaty to create hardship – which would be artificial, and then, of course, not hardship. If there’s a way out of hunger and cold – it’s not real hunger and cold.
Yes, my interpretation…Balance in all things. Believe Rollins is taking editorial privilege with the extreme to underscore his point.
Great quote. Very timely.
Thanks Lorne.
Reblogged this on Amy Arey, Realtor Real Estate Blog.
Thanks for sharing Amy.
You bet; PERFECT timing. Happy Holidays!
Actually, I have been homeless once (for a day or two) and spent five years virtually living off tins of baked beans and not having enough money for heating in mid-winter. The experience has made me appreciate the things I have now, but I do rather overreact to the slightest threat to my security that might return me to that poverty.
Moving in so many ways…thanks for sharing Sarah
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It is true we learn more through hardship than ease.
Yes, so true Alex