How to love...
I'm a cynical citationist so I did a quick google search on the origin of that quote. Because everything we get from the Internet is true, apparently Mark Twain didn't actually come up with that... A lot of sites say it came from a guy named Brown, who incidentally didn't want to take credit for it. Whatever... I did a bit of due diligence and consider this my citation...
Regardless of who formulated those words so eloquently, it is one of my favorite quotes... Ever...
When I lived on Turtle Sloop (my sailboat for you new readers), it was a curious notion to realize that I was separated from the rest of the world by two simple lines. Sometimes three when the windy season came about. Even for simple half day jaunts around the inlet, once I was free of the bowline, freedom set in.
I could relate very easily to this quote because of my maritime passion, but of course it is also meant to be applicable to many aspects of anybody's life. I truly truly truly wish I could do more with my life. I wish I could get over the fears I have about doing certain things. The unwarranted excuses I give myself for not going forth with things seem ridiculous in hindsight. Coulda, woulda, shoulda right?
I'm about to set sail on yet again, another crazy adventure in my life. I'm down to the last few weeks of driving truck before I head to Southern California to settle in. Hopefully for the long haul. Pun totally not intended. Just as flight school was essentially a self inflicted punishment for myself, this past summer has served its purpose well. And just like the handshake I got when I passed my commercial pilot check-ride, the final dispatch I get (hopefully back to Washington so I can get my car) will be the signal to me that life is once again, about to take me for a crazy ride.
As much as I want to love people all around, some are just plain shitty. Yea yea, everyone is fighting their own battle but fuck man, there are people that are down to their last dying breath that are more kind than some of these assholes among us. That being said, for the people out there willing to act in any civil manner, I would offer every bit of love I can. No homo, guys. Part of that love I wish I could share would follow the general mantra of the aforementioned quote. Whoever the hell said that.
Not everyone should strive to rise above all humanity... The race is futile. However, within the worlds we create for ourselves we should never be afraid to take chances. To explore. To risk failure for hope of something greater. To realize that no matter what we do, no one really matters except the ones you love. And the ones who judge you for who you are, are nothing more than the assholes that are inevitably going to be amongst all of us.
There's nothing wrong with sitting up a little taller, taking a deep breath in and looking to the sky. Whatever the reason we are here, it is in fact part of something bigger. For you, it could be your spouse, your kids, your family or even your friends. For others it could be for the ones you have yet to meet in your life.
We should try to stay kind, stay generous and with a bit of careful choosing, love one another like we want to be loved.