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I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Random Thought Thursday

Today's quote is from Robert Browning. What is it with those under the chin whiskers? Henry David Thoreau sported them too. I guess it's one way of keeping your neck warm. No need for a muffler.
Robert Browning by Michele Gordigiani 1858
In reading up about him I discovered he had a connection to the Caribbean. His father's father was a wealthy plantation owner on the island of St. Kitts. Browning's father was sent to work on the plantation and was so disgusted by slavery that he became an abolitionist. Browning's parents seemed to have been quite liberal for the times. When he couldn't/wouldn't handle school he was educated at home, and had the run of his father's extensive library. Within a few years he was fluent in five languages (I'm including English.)

He grew up quite comfortably (living at home until the age of 34!) married the love of his life, traveled around Europe and appears to have had a pretty nice life.

And I like this quote... a lot.
The aim, if reached or not, makes great the life: try to be Shakespeare, leave the rest to fate.

Inotherwords, it's not the goal or end result that's important, it's the journey. Strive always to do your best and that in itself will be rewarding.

I've lived long enough now, to know this is true. For you young puppies, with your eye on the ball, that's good, that's very good. But remember as you run after it, to stop and sniff that interesting something over there, or roll in the grass and kick up your legs.

Have you ever reached a goal and then felt somehow, let down, disappointed, empty?

12 comments:

  1. Often it's the anticipation that's so exciting and adrenaline-inducing! I think that's why finally getting what you want can seem like a letdown sometimes.

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  2. Ew. That fluffy chin is NOT a good look. :) I agree with Laura's comment. Plus, I think we all have an emotional level point that we always return to after a high.

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  3. LOVED THIS: Inotherwords, it's not the goal or end result that's important, it's the journey. Strive always to do your best and that in itself will be rewarding.

    It really spoke to me. And yes, I recently felt let down by a goal. I had written my synopsis. Worked on it for weeks and just finished it. Yet I don't feel it's good enough. Talk about defeat.

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  4. I'm having trouble getting past the terrifying sentence: "living at home until the age of 34!" ~ can you tell it's midsummer and my kids are all home most of the time? I think it's showing.

    I think reaching all goals has a sense of bittersweetness. There have to be things you've given up in order to reach the goal, yes?

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  5. Hi Bish! How are you? It's been too long ~ :)

    That's a great quote by Browning - I'm not sure everyone always takes it to heart. To enjoy life and if goals are accomplished along the way - BONUS! I know I need to heed that more often than I do.

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  6. What a great post, Bish. I blogged about reaching a weight-loss goal today, but that's kind of different. And yeah, I have been let down a little with others, too.

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  7. That's a bad look.

    Oh ugh, all the time. I think it's because I expect reaching said goal will somehow make me feel differently, when it just doesn't.

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  8. Love that quote, especially the first part of it.

    I think sometimes when you reach a goal and feel let down, people assume, "Well, the goal wasn't that great after all." What they maybe fail to realize is that it's not that the goal was hollow, but that they're simply missing the journey.

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  9. That's a great quote. And I've never understood those 'under-the-chin' whiskers either.

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  10. Dear Bish,
    I immediately saw the picture of my sweetie. I've been in love with him most of my life. Why, you ask? (Well maybe you would :)). My astrological chart is very similar to Elizabeth Barret's and as I was growing up, I had fantasy's about her life and of course that included Robert Browning. He was a Taurus and I've always been terribly attracted to Taurean men, my husband being one.
    Now you know all my secrets. :)

    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  11. Love the quote and totally agree. Aim high but don't miss the journey. As for your great question, no I've never reached a goal and felt disappointed.

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  12. Wow, what a great quote. So great that I might forgive him that under the chin whisker business. : )

    I usually don't feel disappointed or empty when I reach a goal because there is always another mountain to climb.

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!