“I’m not telling you to make the world better, because I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package. 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. And that’s what there is to do and get it while you can and good luck at it.”
Credits: Image & Bio – Biographile. Quote – WhiskeyRiver
Related Post: Blue Nights
A powerful thought, especially for me today. She was remarkable when I saw her speak-she’s fragile, yet she positively vibrates with intensity. Thx for sharing, David!
I thought of you immediately when I posted this Lori.
Note to those of you who missed Lori’s guest post on my blog, check it out here – Must Read:
http://davidkanigan.com/2012/06/20/blue-nights/
Awww, thx David! I was deeply humbled by your offer to guest post on your blog, and again touched that you would reference my post. Two acts of kindness that mean so much to me…
Very good. And yes, Lori’s blog was amazing!
It was. I’m building up courage to ask her to do it again.
if you seriously take in what she says,your life is improved already
Yes. If…
If is an awfully big word for two letters!
It is!
Words of wisdom for me 🙂
Me too.
…….the perfect thought for today (for any day……..but this the one). Thank you.
Yes, for any day. That’s right.
Good advice. It’s a start, at least.
It certainly is…
Amazingly powerful quote from Joan Didion, who is a superb writer.
It is John. I agree.
Reblogged this on WORK IN PROGRESS and commented:
A thought-provoking quote from Joan Didion. Thought provoking for anyone at any stage of life. Perhaps more thought provoking for those of us on the cusp of retirement, which is the transition from a life of work to . . .
Ms. Didion’s comment, “I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package,” particularly caught my eye. The weekly newspaper in my Maryland beach town had an editorial this week that began thus: “From a public relations standpoint, this has been the summer from hell in Ocean City.” My first reaction on reading that sentence was, “The editor is going to regret those words.” Maybe so, but at least he was seizing the moment, taking the risk. Civilization seems to be in decline. — John Hayden
Thanks for sharing John. It is thought-provoking.
Her words carry the gravitas associated with her history. Somehow it compels you to hear what she’s saying, nodding the whole time at the extraordinariness of her truth
Yes, it is one who has lived this reality. Compelling for that reason.
wonderfully delicious advice!
yes Vicki. It certainly is.
She has very beautifully compared Life & Death to justify what she was trying to say. I really like it.
Yes, beautifully stated Sonia.