cool – Something to Ponder About

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking.

I hope you think so too.

You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep –

Navajo Proverb

“And this is what really counts, not just achieving things, but the advantage you have taken of your opportunities and the opportunities you created. Each of us has to discover his own path, of that I am sure. Some paths will be spectacular and other peaceful and quiet and who is to say which is the most important? For me the most rewarding moments have not always been the great moments, for what can surpass a tear on your departure, joy on your return, or a trusting hand in yours? Most of all, I am thankful for the tasks still left to do – for the adventure still lying ahead” –

Sir Edmund Hilary

I may be with the statue of the great mountaineer, here, but as a young child, I was fortunate enough to have him visit our school, shortly after his successful assault on Mt Everest. Hilary was someone who contributed to many and various social projects in Nepal, and maintained close relationships with the country and the people, all throughout his life. This is Nepal. It touches one’s soul, and one can never completely eradicate the desire to one day, return again.

I think Hilary’s words are profound and inspiring to a younger generation for whom the conquest of the world’s highest mountain is merely not if it will be done, but how many will succeed.

What do you make of his words?

Is the Navajo quote referring to something deeper or merely pretense?

That is Something to Ponder About

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Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking.

I hope you do, as well. I would love to hear your comments on the words shared here.

Those who have free seats at a play hiss first

– Chinese Proverb

Do you agree with the Chinese proverb that those receiving things for free undervalue their gift? If so, then are the paying customers artificially inflating the worth of the play because it has cost them the entrance ticket.

And what of the specialist paid critic, who may receive a free ticket but gets paid to do a job? is the line blurred?

and this:

“The only way to be cool is accidentally”

-Benjamin Taylor (son of James Taylor)

Is this necessarily true?

Ben Taylor may have felt he was ‘cool’ due to his fortuitous birth to two music icons, but what really is ‘cool?’ Is it the ability to read people and be articulate, attuned to others, empathic and an all round nice person, that makes for popularity?

The cool kids at school were not always the nicest nor the most articulate, more sassy, I think. So did they have an intangible charisma? Is this really the definition of cool?

I invite you to comment or post your thoughts.

Something to Ponder About this Thursday.

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