As dejected as we all are by our lives remaining Unchanged from last week's first Sentence that was supposed to Change Our Lives For The Better, here I am with Sentence #2. Do get strapped in, put down your beverage lest any harm come to your Electronic Device, and let's prepare for Metamorphosis.One never knows, does one? And at least we can chat about the Sentence should our Lives stubbornly remain the same.
Here is Life-Changing Sentence Number Two:
Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.
Sigh. I really hate these Poster-Worthy, precious little metaphors. But that's probably just me. You go ahead and take a moment to reread it, and then we'll apply our test.
Okay.
Firstly, is your Life Changed? Mine is decidedly not. Did this Sentence give you an Aha Moment? Me...no it did not. As I said, I became unreasonably annoyed by the metaphor for some reason, even though it is perfectly acceptable, but I guess I'm just being a snot.
Overall, the Sentence provides some valuable advice. You should, in Life, strive to accomplish some difficult things, reach some important goals, broaden your perspectives in order to build your own character and satisfy your inner self, not to gain attention or extrinsic rewards. And by doing so, you will (hopefully) have a wiser, more mature view of the world around you.
I prefer poet Pablo Neruda's quote, "You have to climb the mountain in order to see the view." Not only is it simpler, but it has a clearer message: don't expect a reward without putting in the work.
(Wise, but alas! still not Life-Changing. We all learned this stuff years ago. Even the colonists of Jamestown had a No Work, No Food law.)
We've discussed the self-obsessed nature of people due in part to technology and social media. We agree that the world is a much smaller place now, thanks to both. We can both see the world and be seen by the world now, thanks to the internet. Sadly, so many people forget how big their audience is and how widespread their impact is.
Every day, men and women--children, too--climb their own mountains. They're not doing it for attention, either. They're not doing it to build character or even to figure out more about how the world works. They're merely living their lives despite whatever obstacles block their paths: chronic illness, discrimination, hunger, poverty, disability, guilt, or loneliness.
So, here it is again, our Sentence To Change Our Lives For The Better: Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.
Did this sentence, as the article promised, "give you the power to go on"...and "change your life for the better"? Let's talk about it in Comments.
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Hi Nance...nope didn't do it for me. Have heard it or similar before. I do believe you are correct in saying we all have our own mountains. And some of them are personal and I always try to realize that someone who is bugging me may be dealing with something I don't know about......
ReplyDeleteI can't do that to Senator Walsh. That woman pissed me and 2.9 million US nurses by saying we play cards at work when nothing could be farther from the truth.
kathy b--I was aghast when I read that comment by Sen. Walsh. What profound and willful ignorance.
DeleteI will put you in the Unchanged column along with me. Like you, I do try to allow for everyone merely Being Human. Kindness is my Default.
"Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world." Kind of makes more sense in our age of social media and selfies than it did back in the day when it was first coined by David McCullough. Considering all the metaphoric mountains he's climbed I'm not willing to throw that Sentence in the pile of corny stuff just because someone writing about it over-sold it's power.
ReplyDeleteJean--Yes, it really has withstood the Test Of Time. As I said, it is a valuable piece of advice, however Life-Changing it is not.
DeleteYou make a good point about how things become corny. Some things do because they get overused. Other things do because their language is outmoded. Still other things do because of how they are used or by whom. This particular sentence from Mr. McCullough is all over inspirational posters and various internet images. The accessible metaphor lends itself to that. But the value of the advice is still there, however oversold by this particular article.
Seems as if there are 2 things going on with climbing the mountain:
ReplyDelete1.) Actually managing to climb the mountain, which in itself is a feat. So kudos for that.
2.) Finding out what the future holds for you when you do achieve the feat. More kudos.
Each has its own reward: achieving a goal and realizing what that goal can mean in a wider dimension beyond mere achievement. I think most people progress from point 1 to point 2 because it is just human nature to do so. Conclusion: Not life-changing unless the person reading this has never climbed a metaphorical mountain or even thought they needed to.
For me it is more a question of why one climbs the mountain in the first place: Sometimes people decide to climb the mountain because they *do* see the world and realize it’s time to climb a mountain. Sometimes they climb the mountain because of one of the many reasons you list: life happens, a mountain appears in your path, and you have to climb it to survive.
Ortizzle--That's a whole range of Mountains! ;-)
DeleteI think your point about seeing what is beyond the mountain/finding your future is a good one. Even if we look at mountains as mere obstacles in our paths each day, we have to surmount these in order to see our way clear ahead.
We all climb mountains every day, not necessarily to see the view, but to keep from falling backwards. I don't necessarily think it's a matter of conscious choice.
ReplyDeleteBut what do I know? I seldom take the wisdom of pithy sayings, and I have yet to make my first million.
Bridget--I'm waiting for my first mil, too. It's taking forever.
DeleteI like the idea of climbing a mountain in order to keep from falling backward! Onward and upward--it's a nice motto. As to the wisdom of pithy sayings, I don't know that I ascribe to any, but I do have a few that I repeat as a handy mantra in certain situations. But they aren't as wordy as today's Sentence.
Dee--Ah! A Charity Yodeler, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a lovely panoramic vista awaiting you!
A great discussion!
ReplyDeleteJean--I agree! Too bad the article didn't have the title "Ten Sentences Sure To Spark Discussion." That would have been better.
DeleteYup - unchanged. Just hanging here trying to avoid the mole hills!
ReplyDeleteVera--LOL. Another life Unchanged. I like your contribution--"Climb the mountains so as to avoid the molehills." That's another discussion waiting to happen.
DeleteWhen I read it, it didn't make me think of the everyday mountains that we all must climb, nor of personal challenges that come along in life, nor of good deeds that one must do quietly and without discussion or be thought self serving. It made me think of travel, and how getting out of your own country (or perhaps even town, or perhaps even your own headspace) can really open your eyes to the fact that there are many different kinds of people out there in the world, and that people live in many different ways. It made me feel a little grumpy because we blew our budget on our trip last year, and so this year there is no vacation on our horizon. Oh well. Memories will have to suffice.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of only doing good without wanting credit, though, is another discussion. I tend to disagree with it. I don't like it when people brag about themselves and get 'holier than thou', but at the same time, when someone tells me of a good deed they have done, it makes me feel better about the world, and I find it inspiring and encouraging to others that they might find a way in their own life to do something kind, whatever it might be. So if I do something good, I do not shy away from it.
Which reminds me of my SIL. One of our neighbors in our little condo complex (my SIL lived in our same complex at the time) had a baby, and my Sister in Law gave them a baby gift of some sort, which was anonymous and left on the doorstep. Then she was upset that they didn't thank her. What?
j@jj--I agree that one of the most valuable things about travel is gaining awareness and knowledge about other people and places. That can only happen, however, if you truly do open yourself to that experience and forego trying to simply recreate America everywhere you go, looking for cheeseburgers and things you live with regularly. The Ugly American is a very real personality who travels all over the globe.
DeleteYou had a French Vacation! Not many people can say that (I can't), so go ahead and feel your Grumpies, but do take some time to look at your pictures and relive some of the lovelier memories. Thankfully, you live in an outstanding area of the country where even a Staycation can be quite nice.
I agree that hearing of people helping others is uplifting. I do understand how some people constantly trumpeting their Good Works in an ostentatious way could get annoying. I tend not to say much about my own charity work and donations unless it comes up in some way; that's just the way I am.
Your SIL's irritation is truly a puzzle. Did she forget that she didn't include a card?
Life-changing is hardly how I’d describe that metaphor for me. I suppose if one was into self-aggrandizement, read those words, had an aha moment leading them to alter their perspective, they could then experience this changing their life to some degree. I think it might take more than just reading that observation to provide an actual life change, but a start.
DeleteJoared--Another good point. And that's what was so maddeningly outrageous about this article's title that these ten Sentences could change my life.
DeleteAs you observed, "it might take more than just reading that observation to provide an actual life change". No doubt many of us have heard or read a tip or piece of advice that has changed the way we do things and it has bettered our lives in some way. But we have had to put an idea, philosophy, or sea-change of perspective into practice in order to bring about real change, and in many cases, change is difficult, at least at first.
I certainly would never want to dismiss any blog readers, but it seems a rather dull life that can be changed by this little metaphor. I didn't even like our similar class motto for 8th grade graduation all those many years ago. "The higher we climb, the broader the view." And I was pretty young and innocent back then.
ReplyDeleteIf you want mountain metaphors, reading John Muir is far more productive.
NCmountainwoman--8th grade! I barely remember it, lo these many years. I doubt we had such a thing as a Class Motto; if we did, it was probably "Survive", or "Watch Out For Switchblades."
DeleteJohn Muir! Now there is a man with a legacy! A tireless advocate for and lover of Nature. (Some of his quotes can be found here.)
I am coming back from knee replacement surgery, and climbing a mountain is nowhere in my immediate future. However, the sight of the last snowbank melting is making up for a lot.
ReplyDeleteLife changing sayings just do not do it for me. I like to talk with (and I mean with) people a lot more. But do not stop. This thread is just hilarious. Love your posts, I really do.
Mary--Goodness. You have certainly had more than your share of health concerns in the past couple of years. Spring will feel very good to you up there for sure.
DeleteThank you for the kind words, as always. I, too, value highly the exchange of ideas with bright people, and that's why I love the Comments section here at the Dept. so much. As you emphasized, talking WITH people, not AT them, really listening and engaging, is a joy.
I am hopeful that your knee replacement changes your life for the better--no more pain, years more lovely walks on your vast propery, less medicines. Take care!
I have to say a resounding no. I swear just getting up and getting to work, working all day long and driving with all the crazies out there is my mountain every single day. I don't think the world wants to see me nor do I seem to walk to be seen by the world. I think I might be in a bad mood, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteMeredith--If you are in a bad mood, that's perfectly okay. We all have them, and in most cases, deservedly so. You know my motto: Wallow a little and bitch a lot and then move on.
DeleteOur days are sometimes full of personal mountains that need to be climbed whether we like it or not and without recognition or even a sense of personal satisfaction. Many times it's just a quick moment of relief until we face the next one. I get it. Here's to smoother paths ahead, my friend. XO