Monday, January 16, 2012

MLK, Joan Rivers, and Yoda

First, Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., day! I wrote a post about Dr. King that you can see here (link).

It's incredibly inspiring to remember people who have dreams, and who go after them in the face of such terrible realities.

I have a dream, although it's not as world-changing as MLK's.

And at the beginning of this month, I was pretty low thinking about it and where I am in the process. I was driving to the store in the snow and Fresh Air was playing.

I've shared my love of NPR podcasts before--remember Gazumping? (link)

Well, this time T.G. was interviewing Louis C.K., and they played a clip from his Fox television show. In this particular clip Joan Rivers scolds Louie for quitting his gig after discovering he can't insult Donald Trump onstage in a Trump hotel.

Her words really hit home for me and how I was feeling that day. See, I was having a little writer's pity-party and telling myself I couldn't do it anymore. (TMI: It was also that time of the month, so there might also have been some hormones involved.)

Anyway, here's the short version of what she said (and remember, this is for me, but I thought you might like it):

"You know what's wrong with you guys? You don't know when you're lucky. Appreciate where you are for god's sake."

For some reason, that lifted my little chin. (The entire episode's worth a listen--if you're interested, here's the link.)

It's like what Yoda told Luke Skywalker when Luke was doing his Jedi training. The part about how a Jedi focuses on the present and isn't distracted by all the "what ifs." (Right?)

So look around. Appreciate where you are and what you're learning and who you're meeting. And don't forget to keep swimming. 

Til next time~ <3

43 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Amen! This is pretty much my everyday mantra this year. I NEED to keep reminding myself that life is good and not to let the little stuff get in the way. Lovely post. :o)

Old Kitty said...

Happy Martin Luther King Day!!! It's not everyday I get to see MLK with Joan Rivers or Yoda! Yay! LOL!

I work with someone who constantly sees the negatives in her life. I've worked with her now for over 10 years and I realise that she's turned her wallowing in self-pity as her raison d'etre - it's what defines her - or rather it's what she sees as her. If I am to see an example of how not to see yourself as, I turn to her. Poor woman!
:-)

Take care
x

Sarah said...

Happy MLK Jr day! And great post, and great point. Gratitude is essential, and makes achieving goals all the more sweet while keeping things in perspective in the meantime.

Pat Hatt said...

A great Yoda moment indeed. Some good advice, one should always appreciate what they have.

Stina said...

Great advice! So only dwell on the 'what ifs' when it comes to planning a novel. To do otherwise is just wasting your time and making you miserable.

Tracy said...

okay, a great reminder and one to begin the day with....I AM lucky and just need to be reminded from time to time...
:)

Laura Pauling said...

It's very easy to get distracted by the what ifs or I should've been there by now thoughts. It's best to not focus on those and like you said - keep swimming!

Tracy Jo said...

Stupid hormones. ;-) Happy MLK and thank you for this post. Perfect way to start my day. I have been feeling right below the surface...time to bob up and start the doggy paddle. Sending you more *best*!

Anonymous said...

Fortunately, I'm a very thankful person. I do appreciate where I am and who I'm with. This is a great saying to live by.

JRichard said...

Yoda also said, "Do or do not." I agree with that. You either do or you don't do. I do do.

Lydia Kang said...

Well said, well said!
Happy MLK day. Thanks for all the important reminders. :)

Carolyn Abiad said...

How is it that a little green guy who says stuff backwards can make such common sense so much more enlightening?

Have a great day! ((hugs))

S.A. Larsenッ said...

We'll swim together, okay? There's safety in numbers.

LTM said...

@Laura--right. I've found nothing kills creativity and inspiration so much as looking around at what's happening. Sort of like walking on water that way... :D

@JRM--Silly Jack Donaghy. LOL! :D

@Carolyn--Right? I was thinking about the part where Luke's trying to decide if he should finish training or go save Luke & Han. But Empire Strikes Back was always my fave. You know me and the cliffhanger endings~ <3

AMOffenwanger said...

I had a similar thought the other day, when I was mentally whining about how my life hadn't turned out the way I thought it should - suddenly the thought hit: "Are you going to let that stop you from going out and doing what you need to do?" Nope, I won't.
Happy MLK Day, and thanks for reminding me that that's what it is!

Colene Murphy said...

LOVE IT! Joan and Jedi wisdom to live by. Very hard to remember, but important to try and KNOW every day. I'm glad you didn't give up! ^_^

Bish Denham said...

Happy MLK Day! Another favorite Yoda quote is, "Do or do not. There is no try."

Matthew MacNish said...

An excellent point, Yoda made.

Seriously though? I was feeling a bit overwhelmed this morning, but I really do have so much to be grateful for.

Meredith said...

Appreciating where I am is something I need to work on, I think. Thanks so much for the reminder!

RaShelle Workman said...

Hey Leigh. I had the same little pity party (TMI - also during that time of the month) Freakin hormones. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I needed a little boost from the blues today. Thanks!

DEZMOND said...

thanks for the nice advice, Leigh!

Lisa Gail Green said...

Always good advice. Enjoy the journey!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

yes indeedy! A great reminder!

LTM said...

@LisaG--or at least try, dangit! Thanks, girl~ <3

Talli Roland said...

Great post - this is a lesson I seem to need reminding of over and over . . . and over. Sigh.

Unknown said...

Sounds like an interesting interview. I will check out the link.

Donna K. Weaver said...

What a lovely post. Yes, indeed. Be grateful for where we are.

Thanks for the reminder.

Patti said...

There's just something about that time of the month. I was feeling the same way. I love your advice of not focusing on the what ifs and stay in the present.

Theresa Milstein said...

Happy belated Martin Luther King Day.

I need inspiration sometimes. When I find it, those words mean the most. And they can come from anywhere.

You're right, we shouldn't focus on the what ifs. How about what is? (Deep, right?)

Unknown said...

Keep on keeping on. There are so many phrases about this subject, you'd think we'd all be able to remember, but no. We do get down and forget. Thanks for the inspiration!

Nas said...

Happy MLK Day!
A great and inspirational post!

DL Hammons said...

Look at me....backstroke!! :)

Great post!!

Janet Johnson said...

I enjoy NPR, too, but don't hear it often enough. Seriously, aren't we so lucky? I agree that we don't realize that often enough.

No what ifs. They only lead to madness. Great post, NTM!

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Absofreakinglutely. Great post! I love all the optimism floating around these days. . . actually makes me feel inspired after I visit blogs:)

Melissa Sugar said...

Excellent point. Your post is full of inspiration and a perfect guide for how I want to write in the year 2012. I am pretty much thankful for where I am but I too often forget to give thanks for the small successes in life. Thank you for the uplifting post.
Please check out my blogfest. I have some pretty cool prizes including a kindle fire e-reader.

LTM said...

@Lindsay--URAWSME. ;p <3

Unknown said...

Thanks for this reminder. I often catch myself complaining about all the things that take time away from my writing, when actually I am SOO blessed to even HAVE all those things!

PK HREZO said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
LTM said...

@PK--you are awesome, your writing is awesome, and just hang in there. It will happen! Thanks so much for those encouraging words, too. Because you're right. We HAVE come so far. And I needed to hear it. :o) <3

KM Nalle said...

I have a quote posted above my desk. "Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be." I also have a picture of Dory that says "Just keep swimming." LOL. Great post. I'm heading over to listen to the whole episode. Thanks. :)

Ella said...

Great post; I needed the motivational speech! Thank you Leigh, for shining the light on what is important, the here and now~
<3 (((hugs))) 555

Jennie Bailey said...

Oh man, do I get distracted by the 'what ifs' a lot! Not just with my writing, but with my entire life - what if this happens, what if that happens, what if, what if, what if! SO WHAT! This really resonates with me. Appreciate where you are for god's sake - I can just hear Joan Rivers saying that too!