Make it Happen Monday: Create Your Own Culture
One of my favorite quotes of all time is:
“The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say, if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. Create your own.”
This is a quote by a man named Morrie Schwartz, a retired college professor who taught great lessons right up until his death. He became recognized by offering candid, heartfelt insight into many of the philosophical questions that so many of us ask ourselves (or should be asking ourselves ) about life, work, community, relationships, aging, and death. And he offered all of this insight from a unique perspective. Most importantly he offered it with love for the world. The reason I like this quote so much is because it gives me the confidence and the motivation to follow my own star. It instills in me the belief that following along with society is not always the best thing to do. As long as the path you chose includes proper values and beliefs, we should each follow our own course. We are subject to the same outside culture as our neighbors, but we also have the choice to accept this as reality, or to create our own.
It is such a simple quote, but it can provoke an abundance of comments and stories. This comment can be applied to the proverbial Rat Race that is talked about so often. We are cultured to believe that following the path of getting a job, getting married, buying a house, having children, etc, is the way that life should be lived in order to end up as a success. What Morrie is saying is that just because other people are doing it, does not necessarily make it right for you. We have to create our own definition of success and live our life in pursuit of this goal.
Your definition of success may be different from what society deems it to be, but that should not deter you from believing in your definition. The Rat Race is a great playing field for those who truly want to be involved in the game of Corporate America, but it might be the wrong path to take if you are following a different goal. The problem, however, lies in the fact that this traditional culture is everywhere, and you are smacked in the face with it everyday. The reason Morrie says you have to be strong enough is because in order to remain on your own path, you have to be incredibly strong to survive the winds that are trying to blow you onto the path that the rest of society is following.
Create Your Own Culture. Enjoy Your Ride.
Well Grenada is not so unlike Jamaica! Brave move but seems like the right one for YOU, and that’s what’s important. Making our own footprints….
Thanks Jennifer……hope you can make a trip over here sometime, it would be great to meet you and get some riding in together.
This is a great think for everyone then way not take this in your on life please take and enjoy
I always look forward to these and am never disappointed (even when it takes me till Thursday to get to it, hmmmm I am in the rat race). Its already been said in other comments but the word that comes to mind while reading this is courage. Having the courage to do it your way, and the support of a partner to validate the choice and to work together with to meet your shared goals, is an awesome thing,
This Make it Happen Monday post is now complete…..it needed a little touch of Eric. Thanks for your comments as always, my friend.
Great post, thanks for this.
You’ve made Monday’s my favorite day of the week!! I LOVE Make it Happen Monday’s, and this post delivered all the way!
Thanks for being so positive, motivating, and having the courage to be who you are!!
You and the Kids are the best thing about this Lifestyle that we’ve created.
I LOVE this post Darryl. It
speaks to me on so many levels. I LOVE
the bicycle because of how it makes me feel, physically, mentally and
spiritually. It’s my vehicle to live life
to its fullest. When I started riding my
bicycle again, I found the courage and strength to live life on my terms. Is it a struggle? You bet!
Have I been criticized and second-guessed (even by myself)? For sure! Do I regret my decision to control my own
destiny? NO WAY Brother! That’s a feeling I
wish all could experience. I suspect you
might agree, riding a bicycle is a great metaphor for life. Think about the hills, elements, injuries…all
require effort to overcome. As in life,
there are always going to be obstacles to overcome and doing so requires
effort. I set riding in the “Ride the
Rockies” event next June as a goal because, for me, getting into shape to make and
complete the week long ride, will mean I have overcome every obstacle,
self-doubt and fear that has kept me from succeeding and “creating my own culture”.
Your take on why Morrie uses the word, strength, “…in order to
remain on your own path, you have to be incredibly strong to survive the winds
that are trying to blow you onto the path that the rest of society is
following”, is evidence how strongly cycling has influenced your success and culture. Your use of the word “wind” is
brilliant. Think about the power of wind
Darryl, a relentless driving force that, quite literally, changes
landscapes. Yet, as long as you keep
pedaling, you can build strength and resist its erosive forces. When you think about what society can throw
at you, trying to force you down the “right” path, wind is the perfect word. What better way than turn straight into it and pedal like there is no tomorrow…the longer you do, the stronger
you become. In fact, along the way you
may be surprised at the strength you will find.
Thanks my friend and Happy Riding….
I always love to read your comments, Joel and thanks for this one. You always seem to add an element to the post somehow that makes me look at things a little differently.
I’ve probably already said this once before but I have to say that this is the best make it happen post yet. Thank you Darryl for sending me into this Monday feeling charged up and focused.
I really appreciate the kind comments. Also glad we’re able to help get you off in the right direction each Monday.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.EE Cummings
He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away.Raymond Hull
Great quotes, Tim. I think Morrie, EE, and Raymond would have gotten along very well.
As I was reading this post, that EE Cummings quote popped into my head….I was going to leave it in the comment section, but you beat me to it Tim!! 🙂 Great quotes!