What would it it be?
Mine? Live a life worthy of a memoir.
A while ago I decided that one of my greatest fears was living an ordinary life. I feel a calling to do something remarkable, to improve the lives of as many people as possible. It sounds cliche–doesn’t every twenty something say things of this sort? There’s that whole world as our oyster bit, but I think it would be tragic for us to let go of this. I don’t see why we can’t all change the world and make incredibly positive impacts. Now, more than ever, there seems to be room for ingenuity.
I continue to have faith in the brilliance of our generation.
I’m nowhere near knowing how to do what I want to do and where I can make a valid impact yet, but I am excited to see where the next few years take me. I’m donating time and money to local organizations, but that hasn’t been enough for me. I want to keep stretching and growing as a global citizen. Because life is so precious and so fragile, I start feeling restless when I don’t know how to get started, but I know things will begin falling into place as I remove the distractions and hurdles. This restlessness is what starts moving me toward desperation–I begin thinking that I have to live somewhere in particular or get some specific schooling in order to reach my dreams. Those are merely excuses, and shoddy ones at that.
I should be able to act here, now. I read so many inspiring stories and stand in awe of so many people who have done sublime things, even at young ages. They essentially bust away any part of my self-talk that tries to convince me that I live in sub par conditions to do what I need to do.
I have no reason to not live a remarkable life today. It’s time.
(Eric humored me and allowed me to take this shadow shot of us a while ago. I love it!)
What’s your motto?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Just dance… gonna be OK… da da doo doo ummmmm!
- lady gaga
Ha ha! Just kidding… but some days I am not kidding! I love your motto. I love this post. Inspiring. I love reading your posts. Thank you for opening up and sharing!
Awesome picture to accompany the post as well!!!
I love your motto! I’ve always wanted a life that I am proud to share with my grandchildren when I’m old. I want to be a great example and provide them with inspiration. I’ve also really wanted to be able to write a memoir. But at this rate, it would consist of all the television I watch. yikes. haha I better get off my bum and do something worth writing about
Your motto is fantastic! You are so capable of living an extraordinary life, and you will. I know you will.
My motto is don’t make promises you can’t keep. It’s actually more of a reminder for me.
I love your motto too- I think my motto would have to be something really corny like “live life from a place of extraordinary kindness”. It’s really important to me that I’m actively making a compassionate impact in the world.
Your motto is very thought-provoking, as is this post. It makes me wonder if I’m truly living my life to the fullest… & sometimes, I don’t think I am. That needs to change.
& my favorite saying is “All your fears are lies.” I think it’s a great reminder for someone like me, who often lets fears dictate how happy I am.
I think I like “a life in marginalia” - instead of being the novel, I’d rather be the one who got it started, who showed up at the sidelines of history, remarked for the ability to get things started, to begin epochs and movements and then be off to foment a new one. *smile*
I’m not sure this is my life’s motto, but it’s a quote (from the movie Hope Floats) I think about again and again and again — “Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome.” My adult life is about trying to move past the things that hindered me in my childhood and teen years, and becoming someone I truly want to be now that I have the freedom to do so.
I’m trying to think of my life motto…not sure.
I like yours. I was just reading some memoirs in a bookstore today, and began thinking of all the anecdotes and life experiences that I would write about in my own.
It’s like you took my simple little “Live it, LOVE it”, and made it way better.
LOVE it.
This is such, such, SUCH a wonderful post. You’ve so clearly stated exactly what’s been going on in my mind lately- the fear of being ordinary, of not living up to whatever it is I know I want to live up to.
Live a life worthy of a memoir. Hmm, I think that’s now my motto as well.
I don’t believe I have any non-cynical/ sarcastic life mottos, but I will work on it. I’m glad there is at least one positive person in my life that doesn’t make me roll my eyes.
Continue to kick all ass! I love you.
Oh, E this is BEAUTIFUL! First of all, I’ve always had two mottos: 1) Wherever you are, be all there, and 2) To write of an experience is to enrich it.
I think everything you said just nails what we as 20-something are aspiring towards right now. You’re right, we’re all saying “the world’s my oyster,” but it’s this commonality that I think inspires us to actually then go and DO. Nicole organized a trip to Vegas for 20something 20somethings. Ashley is leaving her soul-sucking corporate job for two months in Europe and then WHO KNOWS. I decided at the beginning of the year that my life MUST include travel, even if just right now it’s only domestically, and I just realized - I’m finally DOING that.
You’re amazing and I know the footprint you’re leaving has already started forming. Can’t wait to see where life takes you and where you take your life
Be brave.
That’s such a great motto to live by!
I have no doubt that you’ll make an impact someday.
I’ve never really thought of my life motto but I do know I want to live life with no regrets.