I'm super excited to hear you mention Bayo Akomolafe – he's an extraordinary thinker and I hope some of your readers who aren't familiar with his work will be inspired to seek out his writings, talks and interviews (it would also be amazing to hear him interviewed on your podcast!). One of my favourite sayings is one of his: “The times are urgent; let us slow down”.
Another saying that means a lot to me and which actually inspired a fairly radical life change (my family and I giving away almost everything we owned to live nomadically, beginning with a three year journey around Australia) is advice that was given to me by my brilliant friend and colleague, Wiradjuri Elder and cultural educator Uncle Jimmy Smith: “Leave the comfort zone behind—it’s the enemy of the spirit.”
I was in a tiny town on the southern coast of Turkey and started talking to our Airbnb neighbor. She had spent much of her life as a nomad and was now moving to Turkey in her 60s. She was youthful and open and beautifully present. She invited us over for dinner and we talked until the early hours of the morning. After a conversation about heartbreak, anger and confusion we've felt while living this wild life, she told me this line that I'll never forget. "Love is the only way out."
I lived with a beautiful French lady who tried to wisen me up. She would say "the idiots of next year have already arrived" Here's the full phrase in French - Patrick Timsit. Y'a de plus en plus de cons chaque année. Mais cette année, j'ai l'impression que les cons de l'année prochaine sont déjà là. Which translates to "Every year there are more and more jerks, but this year I feel like next year's jerks are already here."
An insight that has become a ‘line’ (that has become something akin to an exasperation) in our joint came about after reading ‘Sapiens’. A take home message I got from it was, well, that “it’s all made up”; systems, laws, rules, economics, political structures (etc. etc.) exist because we literally made them up. It’s become our mantra. So, whenever we hear about things that can’t be changed or that will bring ruin to us all because ‘the economy can’t take it’ or ‘industry won’t like it’, we look at each other and shrug “made up”. We may or may not extend this to getting up to go to work (and bin night) but the essence is that we can, like, un-make it! Knowing that we COULD, we CAN, do this is helpful. It's all made up!
“I’m probably taller than you” -- oh good god, how many times did i read that on a dating profile when i was still dating... (happily doing life solo now ;-)
I vibe this so much! I was walking in the park a few months ago and heard a 5 year old child squeal out to her family, "I love... to be loved!" It was the sweetest thing, I wrote it down and will remember it always.
I'm honestly not sure where this one comes from, very possibly it is my own, but I don't want to take the credit just in case. Anyway... been pondering on it for years! It very frequently features in my life decisions and has led to some WILD and wonderful adventures. A few hilarious mishaps too...
I'm super excited to hear you mention Bayo Akomolafe – he's an extraordinary thinker and I hope some of your readers who aren't familiar with his work will be inspired to seek out his writings, talks and interviews (it would also be amazing to hear him interviewed on your podcast!). One of my favourite sayings is one of his: “The times are urgent; let us slow down”.
Another saying that means a lot to me and which actually inspired a fairly radical life change (my family and I giving away almost everything we owned to live nomadically, beginning with a three year journey around Australia) is advice that was given to me by my brilliant friend and colleague, Wiradjuri Elder and cultural educator Uncle Jimmy Smith: “Leave the comfort zone behind—it’s the enemy of the spirit.”
"Love is the only way out."
I was in a tiny town on the southern coast of Turkey and started talking to our Airbnb neighbor. She had spent much of her life as a nomad and was now moving to Turkey in her 60s. She was youthful and open and beautifully present. She invited us over for dinner and we talked until the early hours of the morning. After a conversation about heartbreak, anger and confusion we've felt while living this wild life, she told me this line that I'll never forget. "Love is the only way out."
“My favourite thing about the stars is that we cannot hurt them.”
I actually got that line from one of your pods and I just love it.
I lived with a beautiful French lady who tried to wisen me up. She would say "the idiots of next year have already arrived" Here's the full phrase in French - Patrick Timsit. Y'a de plus en plus de cons chaque année. Mais cette année, j'ai l'impression que les cons de l'année prochaine sont déjà là. Which translates to "Every year there are more and more jerks, but this year I feel like next year's jerks are already here."
An insight that has become a ‘line’ (that has become something akin to an exasperation) in our joint came about after reading ‘Sapiens’. A take home message I got from it was, well, that “it’s all made up”; systems, laws, rules, economics, political structures (etc. etc.) exist because we literally made them up. It’s become our mantra. So, whenever we hear about things that can’t be changed or that will bring ruin to us all because ‘the economy can’t take it’ or ‘industry won’t like it’, we look at each other and shrug “made up”. We may or may not extend this to getting up to go to work (and bin night) but the essence is that we can, like, un-make it! Knowing that we COULD, we CAN, do this is helpful. It's all made up!
“I’m probably taller than you” -- oh good god, how many times did i read that on a dating profile when i was still dating... (happily doing life solo now ;-)
I vibe this so much! I was walking in the park a few months ago and heard a 5 year old child squeal out to her family, "I love... to be loved!" It was the sweetest thing, I wrote it down and will remember it always.
Teaching kindergarten is like trying to keep 25 corks underwater.
Oh I love this. Thanks for having me here.
No is a beautiful answer - that is my line. One I often include when asking something of someone and to allow them space to say No as they see fit
“I believe every single person should take the time to visit wild places." Jean Welch Hyatt
Mary Oliver: "I climb, I backtrack. I float. I ramble my way home." It's perfect.
The two greatest, and wisest, lines I've ever come across:
"Tout comprendre, c'est tout pardonner" by Tolstoy, which loosely translates as 'if only we completely understood, we would completely forgive';
and the most beautifully succinct rule for life:
"Only connect" (E.M. Forster)
"Make the choice that tells the better story."
I'm honestly not sure where this one comes from, very possibly it is my own, but I don't want to take the credit just in case. Anyway... been pondering on it for years! It very frequently features in my life decisions and has led to some WILD and wonderful adventures. A few hilarious mishaps too...
“But life knows when to throw in a plot twist. It is an idle but seasoned screenwriter, drinking beers alone and cultivating its archery”.
I just had to take a screenshot of this the other day while reading Lisa Taddeo’s ‘Three Women’. It definitely made me pause for a moment.
Move forward with purpose… is a line that’s gotten me places.
Love this and love your work, Sarah.
I wrote this line to myself a number of years ago when life presented a few challenges. I come back it again and again.
"The fragility of life, knowing that everything is subject to loss, renders each moment sacred and is the key to inexplicable joy."