While traveling this week I decided to share with you one of my favorite poets–Rumi. If you have never heard of this man, I strongly urge you to Google his name and look further. Meanwhile, be notorious!
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Your share is deeply appreciated!
YES! Its time to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. Change doesn’t happen when we are in our comfort zone. Even though it can be scary as hell its so amazing when we leap!
Have been out of the loop while caring for my mom in Kentucky but I am catching up now. Rumi’s comments are exactly why I write my “Stepping Outside my Comfort Zone” posts. It is so good for us to live life beyond what is familiar and safe. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Leslie! If you been busy caring for your mom you are definitely not settling for the comfortable! I’m hoping you find time and space to stay sane, happy and optimistic! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, I read this quote and then I saw the author’s name. A little different from some of Rumi’s quotes, poems. Rumi is also one of my favourite poets. I sometimes ran away from comfortable in the past and also now. Yet, I also like safe, predictable, comfortable, sanctuary. A great, thought-provoking post, Kathy, that can be interpreted in many directions. You have likely heard this other quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” Hunter S. Thompson Enjoy your travels 🙂 Erica
Hi Erica! Exactly. Of course Rumi’s more famous quote, “Out beyond right doing and wrong doing there is a field. I will meet you there,” even address that paradox doesn’t it? And yes…as you guessed, I have always loved that quote by Hunter Thompson too. Ultimately my goal is quality before quantity in the years ahead. ~Kathy
Kathy,
Inspiring, as always.
I think this video also is a wonderful reminder:
https://vimeo.com/120206922
Have a beautiful day.
Jaki
Hi Jaki! I LOVE that video. Thank you so much for the link. May we all be continually inspired to approach our lives in the same way. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I spent a bunch of my youth “walking on the wild side.” Don’t regret a minute, but realize that I took a lot of chances.
While more cautious now, I do crave new adventures. Sitting still and routine only works for me in short intervals.
Hi Nancy! At 63 (very soon to be 64) I can relate to the “pacing” idea of adventure. And maybe it doesn’t have to be as wild or crazy as when I was young to break up the routine of everyday life. I confess to liking my “comforts” but like I said to Janis, I want to do what Mary Oliver said in her poem,
“When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.”
I’ll bet you are the same! ~Kathy
Yes, Kathy, perfect assessment of my situation!
I did some crazy things when I was young (didn’t most of us?) but pretty much the most daring thing I do now is have 11 items in the “10 or fewer” checkout line. 🙂 OK, maybe I exaggerate, but I am certainly more cautious/pragmatic/thoughtful and aware of consequences (intended and possible unintended ones). But, like you, I happily travel to Mexico and I know many who are too scared to… so I guess I’m doing OK.
Hi Janis! Hahahaha….aren’t you the daring one with 11 things? I tend to do a “loose count” and if I’m close I go for it! Of course I also know that you and your husband like Mexico as much as we do so there is certainly that! One of these days we’ll get you to come down to wine country with us and show you another side of Mexico that is really close and easy to enjoy. Meanwhile, I think my takeaway from this quote is just not to be afraid to challenge my thinking or my choices to do different things. Too much routine can kill the soul and I want to make the most of life while I can. ~Kathy
Love the challenge of the quote, Kathy! I hope you enjoying some nice travel! My planning brain loves structure as a few commented. My husband is more impulsive but will miss a plane flight if left to his own devices! I also love what Donna commented. Great food for thought!
Hi Terri! My Thom is a bit more like your husband in that he is more “fluid” than I am about many things. I think that is one of the great things about our relationship. He tolerates my planning and I appreciate his spontaneity. It sounds like you have something similar. I think finding that “sweet spot” between the two is so very important. ~Kathy
I struggle with this. A big part of me loves security – I need structure, I am a huge planner, I like comfort, and believe in living by (most) rules. I’ve always been the responsible one, the good girl. And part of me wants to let loose, be bad. OK, maybe not that bad that I end up in jail… but there is something within me that wants to be provocative, blatantly sexy, and/or a bit crazy. I don’t know what to do with that side of me!
Hi Pat! Thanks for your honesty. I’m much the same. There is a very detailed planner inside of me but I am also aware of that wild, “I don’t give a shit” part of me too. For me I think a key is balancing the two sides and letting them out to play when the time is appropriate. Of course, even just saying that appeals to the “planner” in me doesn’t it? 😉 . Ah well, I’m still growing and learning so I hopefully have time to figure it out. ~Kathy
There is a cashier at my local supermarket who’s chest has cursive writing. Not to stare and read I asked her what her body art says and it is a whole long quote from Rumi that starts on her chest and continues. Now that is a fan and devotion!!
Hi Haralee! Now THAT is devotion! I like Rumi but I don’t know any poet I like well enough for that! I think my absolute favorite of his is, “Out beyond right doing and wrong doing is a field…I will meet you there.” It is much shorter than the one in the photo but I still wouldn’t have it tatooed on me! ~Kathy
I’d wish you safe travels — but that would contradict Rumi’s very words!
Hi Janet! Hahaha….I’m doing my best to blend the two into creating a bit of both. Thanks for the good wishes though….Kathy
Yeah, I get it. Get out of your comfort zone and face your fears. I agree with that part. But I don’t like this quote. I’ll continue to wear my seatbelt and drive my car with airbags, and not smoke or drink or take drugs or do things that are stupid or obnoxious. Or am I being too literal?
Hi Tom! I agree that it “sounds” easy and even practical. And sometimes I appreciate quotes that I “don’t like” as much as ones that I do because it challenges my thinking. I agree that being cautious has it’s advantages, but because one of my favorite all-time quotes is from Helen Keller, this reminds me of something similar. Helen said…and remember she lived in a MUCH scarier world/experience that most of us can even imagine… she said, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” I’m betting that a combination of literal and metaphorical are the best ways to ponder this. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy
I’ve accomplished much out of my comfort zone, but I must say good planning has been equally as productive. A combination of the two works best for me.
All that being said, Rumi does give us much to ponder.
Happy travels
Laura
Hi Laura! I actually agree with you. But as a big-time-planner myself I always appreciate the reminder that sometimes I miss out or somethings just can’t be “planned” for. Know what I mean? As we get older I think it is so easy to get “comfortable” that reminders to live life fully are so important. ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – Unlike so many simple “feel-good” quotes, Rumi’s words always make me think…and rethink. One of my favourites from him is: “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
Happy travels!
Hi Donna! I agree that sometimes his quotes/poems can be challenging. But there is still something about what it brings up in me/us that I find so refreshing. And thank you for sharing your favorite! ~Kathy