Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jaxon on November 19, 2020, 11:00:24 AM
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This article revolutionized the way I see myself.
Kurt Vonnegut:
“When I was 15, I spent a month working on an archeological dig. I was talking to one of the archeologists one day during our lunch break and he asked those kinds of “getting to know you” questions you ask young people: Do you play sports? What’s your favorite subject? And I told him, no I don’t play any sports. I do theater, I’m in choir, I play the violin and piano, I used to take art classes.
And he went WOW. That’s amazing! And I said, “Oh no, but I’m not any good at ANY of them.”
And he said something then that I will never forget and which absolutely blew my mind because no one had ever said anything like it to me before: “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them. I think you’ve got all these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that all teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them.”
And that honestly changed my life. Because I went from a failure, someone who hadn’t been talented enough at anything to excel, to someone who did things because I enjoyed them. I had been raised in such an achievement-oriented environment, so inundated with the myth of Talent, that I thought it was only worth doing things if you could “Win” at them.”
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Jaxon we all think you are very talented
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Jaxon we all think you are very talented
X2 :thumbup:
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Jaxon, you are looking in a mirror and not seeing your "talent", but we are all looking at you and admiring your talent, success, and achievements in life. I can't tell you how many times I have been sitting around and thinking how much I envy you for how your life is going. Kurt Vonnegut is a wise man.
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Jaxon, you are looking in a mirror and not seeing your "talent", but we are all looking at you and admiring your talent, success, and achievements in life. I can't tell you how many times I have been sitting around and thinking how much I envy you for how your life is going. Kurt Vonnegut is a wise man.
I could not have said it better Don!
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Y'all, I am looking at this as a very positive thing, not as though I have no skills. I recognize the things I do well, not as poor me I can't do anything well.
Look at this again - “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them. I think you’ve got all these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that all teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them.”
I used to play the guitar and sing with a few friends. I couldn't play as well as most of my friends, but that isn't the point. While I was doing that, it was a great experience for me and remember those times as some of my best experiences.
I played golf for a few years. I was always the high score in the group, but I had as much fun as they did because it was a great experience being out there with folks.
I flew an ultralight airplane for awhile. It was the cheapest plane in our club and I couldn't fly as fast or as far as the others, but it didn't take away from the thrill I got every time I took off and especially when I landed.
I realize that I am a good cook and lots of folks enjoy the food I prepare. Could I impress a bbq judge? I don't think so. But there again, that's not the point. I have that feeling of fulfillment when I am able to serve some good food.
I am learning to enjoy the experience for what it is - not put it on some kind of grading system.
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What a great life philosophy. Live life and enjoy it for itself.
BD
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... I recognize the things I do well, not as poor me I can't do anything well... I am learning to enjoy the experience for what it is - not put it on some kind of grading system.
That's certainly a philosophy to which we all might aspire. Not being able to maintain as upbeat and positive an attitude as Jack does, however, I worded my version a bit differently - "By consistently setting low standards for myself I have exceeded my own and others' expectations more often than I otherwise would have." While not as positive and upbeat as the Jaxon version, it's worked so far.
Jus' sayin'...
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What a great life philosophy. Live life and enjoy it for itself.
BD
Yessir, that's what I mean...
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"A man's got to know his limitations.' Dirty Harry Callahan. ;D ;D
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"A man's got to know his limitations.' Dirty Harry Callahan. ;D ;D
Boy i agree with that...my book could be 100 pages...just kidding......you got to enjoy everyday
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"A man's got to know his limitations.' Dirty Harry Callahan. ;D ;D
Every man has limitations, but we also struggle with perceived limitations. Those are killer because we could probably do more for ourselves AND more for others if we were not handcuffed (a little dirty Harry lingo) this way.
If I thought, "I could never play golf like "they" do, I would never get the clubs and give 'em a whack. That limitation didn't hold me back. I whacked and whacked my way down the fairway. And I had a lot of fun with my friends ( a couple of them were whackers, too).
Don't let perceived limitations hold you back from some great experiences and good memories.
To quote the bard, "The saddest words known unto men are those that read what might have been."
Now, back to our regularly schedule forum discussions...
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I whacked and whacked my way down the fairway.
Jaxon, you must be a better golfer than me because I whacked and whacked my way down the rough and woods. I don't remember ever seeing the fairway. I still had fun with my friends and it was a beautiful day.
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... I don't remember ever seeing the fairway.
You didn't miss anything - the "fairway" is a strip of short, wimpy grass and dirt in the middle of the course where sissies hang out so they don't get their plus fours dirty. "Real men" go straight for the aptly named "rough" in order to better display their masculine prowess while battling the evil orb.
Jus' sayin'...
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Your a hell of a cook dude. Your skills on that flat top is great. I have always admired your skills.
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Thanks,Sparky...
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... I don't remember ever seeing the fairway.
You didn't miss anything - the "fairway" is a strip of short, wimpy grass and dirt in the middle of the course where sissies hang out so they don't get their plus fours dirty. "Real men" go straight for the aptly named "rough" in order to better display their masculine prowess while battling the evil orb.
Jus' sayin'...
Turtle, I must agree.