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Single Genius
Becky IMed me today to tell me that she found that we have Aristotle and Plato to thank for Table of Contents and other writing items of interest. For some reason the first thing that popped in my head was to ask, "Were both of them single?"
Why would I ask such a question? They were both single (actually I just looked it up, and Aristotle was married, but briefly). Two of the greatest minds ever, were not only friends (Plato was Aristotle's tutor), but they both died single. They dedicated their lives to something besides the pursuit of love. They never had to worry about anniversary gifts, visiting in laws, finding a reception hall, or trolling the singles bars.
Is this a weird post? Yes. Maybe weirder then my spork one, but follow me here.
Greatness. What makes a man (or woman) great? How does one measure that? Is it the combination of all accomplishments; a body of work or an heir?
This weekend Becky and I went to the Detroit Autoshow. What beauty, what style, pure ingenuity. Many of those cars are a legacy of a mans work sculpted in metal, shrouded with electronic gadgets and sitting on rubber. As a small child I dreamed of designing one of those, being the man behind the design, to be the creator of the vision.
The closest I came was working in an interior auto design studio. I worked on concept cars (Ariston, Kion and Playseat) and new car launches (namely the famous PT Cuiser, 2002 Accord, 2003 M Class). Living my dream, designing cars, being in meetings with the minds behind some of the most popular metal on the road. All these men were single, or divorced and never saw their kids. We worked 70 hour weeks together. We slaved over every detail of those cars. Our lives revolved around making those awe inspiring cars, to make kid's eyes pop, and adult's mouths drool. Similarly to how Plato and the early philosophers treated their trade.
One day I realized I wanted something else for my life. Every human wants to leave a legacy, wants to think that once they are gone the world will remember them. I decided I did not want my work to be my life, but rather my life to be my work. I started doing more things I wanted, crafting my life like a designer crafts a car.
So what am I trying to say? Lots of things.
Keep things in perspective.
Do what makes you happy, but not at the expense of others.
What you do is your legacy, so think out each action carefully.
Sometimes your childhood dreams should stay where they were... in the mind of child.
Don't be afraid to try. Trying is the one thing you will always succeed at.
Or in the words of the famed Henry David Thoreau:
My life has been the poem I would have writ,
But I could not both live and utter it.
I want my life to be a poem. Memorable, fascinating, tear jerking, dream creating, and so good you can taste it... and yes I think it should rhyme.
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