Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Making Life Work














This painting worked for Pablo Picasso. It doesn't do much for me.

The same can be said for so many things. Just because it floats your boat, it may not float mine. Life is like that. Frustration comes when people work hard to force you into a place where you don't belong and where you can't find equilibrium. Like suggesting that I hang the Picasso in my den so I have to look at it when I'm working.

Many people have ideas about "how life is supposed to be" and they never quite work out. Here is my view of things based on experience.

(1) I've done things that many people think are cool, and most of them aren't what they're cracked up to be.

(2) Many of the best experiences I've had in life just happened. They weren't planned.

(3) Based on my present track record, about 90% of the business projects I work on fail. I consider a 10% success rate to be rather good and try to maintain that level. I agree with Linus Pauling that the best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. One is bound to be good.

(4) Live in the present.  Living in the past breeds regret, living in the future inevitably leads to insecurity, worry and false expectations. In the words of a famous mantra: "The only easy day was yesterday!" If you live in the present, you simply enjoy life a lot more.

(5) There are two theories to understanding women. Both are wrong.

(6) Being a grandparent is better than being a parent.

(7) Being rich is better than being poor. There's not much nobility in either poverty or ignorance.

(8) I'm trying to perfect my humility, but somehow that eludes me. Otherwise, I'm practically perfect.

Most lists have ten items. I have stopped at 8 because I'm sure I'll find two more things to add before I cash in my chips/push up daisies/croak/shuffle off this mortal coil.

4 comments:

The Black Widow said...

Dear LL...This was a great post.Mine for today was similiar (The Apostles Creed). I'ts amazing how many people in this world let themselves be pushed around or give up easy....You have a nack for writing...

The Black Widow

darlin said...

Amen to this list LL.

Black Widow, LL has a gift for writing, you must read his novel WHITE POWDER. I have read the first part of this amazing novel and am going to get off the comp, put aside my essays and read for the evening. I am captivated and in awe of the gift of writing LL possesses.

LL now I am invading your blog to promote your book. :-)

Az said...

This is a fantastic post LL. And so true! Conflict only comes when we want to enforce our opinions on others. I'm trying to be more accepting of some people (even if they are assholes lol)... I always have to remind myself that not everyone is like me :P
*sigh*

Hope you have a fantastic weekend :)

Anonymous said...

LL,You have lots of great ideas.

and as a Spanish citizen I'll say I like the painting. But I think I like Picasso's quote better:
“There are only two types of women - goddesses and doormats”

ha ha ha!

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