Quotes

“There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”

27 June 2023 patmcg1 Comment

Here is a great quote by an interesting person who seemed to live by these words.

There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.
Alexander Woollcott

On the surface, Mr. Woollcott was a “drama critic”, which sounds like a horrible job to me. 😆

But he must have had something going on because he started the infamous Algonquin Round Table in 1920’s Manhattan, hosting Harpo Marx and Dorothy Parker, among others.

He grew up in poverty, served in World War I, and was a columnist in The New Yorker. You can still read his work there.

He even has a published book of letters about his life and the lives of his creative friends.” That sounds like a fun read.

Quotes

“Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.”

24 June 202325 June 2023 patmcgLeave a comment

Here’s a really wise and simple quote from Byron Katie. While resentment is like drinking your own poison, Byron says:

Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.

Let go of any negative emotions you feel from being hurt, and free yourself from that negativity. The Daily Inspiration adds:

Forgiveness actually becomes a form of self-care, allowing us to move forward unencumbered, to enjoy the freedom and lightness that comes from letting go.

So forgive, move on, and enjoy your life. 🙏

“Do what you want to do, because it’s what you want to do.”

14 June 202325 June 2023 patmcg1 Comment

One of my favorite books, I Suck at Girls, written by the Sh*t My Dad Says guy, is full of said dad’s advice, which happens to be both obscenity-laced and wise.

In this snippet, the son is deciding how to respond to his ex’s invitation to lunch while still hurting from a breakup. So he asks his dad’s opinion.

“You’re not fucking perfect,” says the dad.

The son is confused by this response and asks for some clarification.

Noting that “You do dumb shit. She does dumb shit. Everyone does dumb shit,” 😆 the dad gives some great advice.

Don’t do something, or not do something, to punish someone because you think they did something dumb. Do what you want to do, because it’s what you want to do.

The son follows the advice, which is brilliantly both forgiving and self-empowering, and goes for lunch.

Spoiler: he does not regret it.

Note: “what you want to do” should still fit in with ethical norms, legal constraints, and personal values. 🤷🏻‍♂️😆 Don’t do your own dumb shit.

creativity · Quotes

“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”

3 June 202310 June 2023 patmcg2 Comments

I think Neil Gaiman pretty well captures the magic of creation with this quote.

The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.
Neil Gaiman

Turns out the dude can also draw, at least in a sketchy kind of way that I hope to master someday as well, if only for practical purposes.

I love the anecdote about writing a short story for his daughter’s 18th birthday that Daily Inspiration added for context on this quote.

Me · Quotes

“It’s not National Geographic. Or The New York Times.”

27 May 202310 June 2023 patmcg1 Comment

In one of our regular before-school conversations at Mozart’s Coffee, my daughter and I were talking Instagram.

I told her I keep pretty high standards on what I post. “Each post has to be unique and interesting – something nobody has seen before, and preferable well-composed.”

My daughter, who is 17 and posts anime edits regularly, caught onto a hint of perfectionism creeping in and encouraged me to post more often and just archive what I don’t love.

“Dad, it’s not National Geographic,” she said. And then, knowingly, after a little pause, “Or The New York Times.”

My daughter speaks wisely, and she knows me better than I know myself.

In another life, I may be a jet-setting New York Times photographer or even a reporter tracking down warm criminals. But in this life, I’ll be happy with posting some cool photos around town.

I love it when people I know tell me wise and useful things.