270th Day of the Year / 96 Days Remaining
“Don’t be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. ‘Yes’ is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes.”
~ Stephen Colbert, comedian (1964- )
On this day:
1820 - Daniel Boone dies.
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About Jordan
“Don’t be afraid to be a fool” is something I’ve told my kids, especially my daughter, who inherited my ability to be embarrassed easily. I told her what I had learned, that 99% of the people you encounter in your life – on the street, in the grocery store, at the mall – you will probably never see again. So who cares if you make a fool of yourself?
It’s a very freeing feeling and let’s you open your eyes to new things and take chances you might not otherwise have taken. It also combines nicely with my favorite Dr Seuss quote:
“Be who you are and feel what you feel. Because those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.”
So take a chance, laugh at yourself, and do something crazy at least once a day. We’re all too young to be entirely cynical.