Viewing entries tagged
life
Giving is what we do best. Like a bird for whom flying is their characteristic action. Although they can walk and cling, not until they fly are they living at their best, gracefully and beautifully.
– Eugene Petersen (note: not a direct quote, but a summary of a few sentences)
“The great secret of success in life is for a man to be ready when his opportunity comes.” – Benjamin Disraeli
“Every day is a lesson. The key is to listen.” – Brother Christopher as quoted by Jesse Itzler
“The world is filled with interesting things to do. Don’t lead a dull life in such a thrilling world.” – Dale Carnegie
“Nothing happens without asking for it.” – Jesse Itzler
“Life doesn’t stop for anybody.” – Stephen Chbosky
“Live your life as an experiment.” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
“Anger shortens your life. Gratitude increases the quality of life.” – John Foley
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” - Hunter S. Thompson
I heard Joey Harrington, the famed college quarterback who floundered in the NFL, talk recently about failure and not living up to expectations. He mentioned the challenges of having “Instagram life” and trying to keep up with the virtual Joneses. To illustrate his point, he showed the mocking social handle @SocialityBarbie, where the Mattel doll was placed in “typical”, white-washed posts online to mock how people aren’t authentic online. If you haven’t seen it, it’s definitely worth a look and a laugh.
But a more serious thought occurred to me. I was struck by the interesting phrase, “Instagram life.” Instagram is a platform, sure. It’s a social technology, sure. But it’s also a brand. What other technology brand gives you “life”? I’ve never heard someone refer to their “Whirlpool life,” or their “Arco life” or their “TiVO life.” No, it’s an Instagram life. Or a Facebook life. Or perhaps even a LinkedIn life. The platform where a corporate brand and a person’s identity combine into something resembling…well, neither.
As I reflect on this, I think any “life” that is so one-sided as to only show the good, is no life at all. We all know heartache and the lessons that disappointment have taught. Any “life” that can be seemingly controlled, curated, and “hashtagged” (is that a verb yet?), isn’t a life. Real life is famously (and infuriatingly) uncontrolled, filled with surprises (both good and bad), and defies simple labels. Unlike an “Instagram life,” real life is neither “instant” nor just a “gram” (ie, a communication). It is an experience of sorrow and triumph and better lived together. Not socially (as in social media), but socially (as in human connection).
We live on a blue planet that circles around a glowing ball of fire, reflected by a moon that moves the sea. We are surrounded by miracles.
