“care like hell and not give a damn at the same time” [Great Work Quote]
“The trick is, as I know it, is to care like hell
and not give a damn at the same time.”
~ Paul Simon, liner notes, So Beautiful or So What
So I read this and think to myself
- Is it possible to hold those two states at the same time?
- What do I really care like hell about?
- What does “not give a damn” look like?
How about from where you stand? What shows up?
- “Want to accomplish something, any-damn-thing? (Great Work quote)
- Is it time for you to give an acceptance speech?
- “We forgive when we give up attachment to…” (Great Work quote)
- “If you take care of the small things, the big things…” (Great Work quote)
- “…prime it with a little solitude and idleness” (Great Work quote)
Posted in self-management
Great quote on multiple levels. Among other things, it’s the secret to an enjoyable round of golf!
Ken – exactly!
One of my favourite paradoxes Michael. The Buddhist art of non-attachment. I struggled with this one when I first started studying eastern philosophy. Being un-attached to outcome sot of felt flat and cold and dispassionate. None of which I wanted to cultivate. A teacher said remaining unperturbed at the occurrence of any particular outcome actually allowed you to maintain the state of caring indefinitely where an attachment to caring for the sake of an outcome creates much suffering when the outcome is longer in coming than expected or does not come at all. (The Freeing of Tibet comes to mind.) He was right. Suffice it to say my passion is intact and my ability to withstand what others would call disappointment has increased a thousandfold. Wonderful Topic. Thanks for the post.
Lovely way of putting it, Sharon. Thanks for expanding on this for me.
Care about what you are trying to accomplish, and never stop making mistakes along the way! That means you are going for it.
I prefer to come to “life” from the top! (Heaven NOT Hell)
To care fully from deep within the heart and to actually care how my life touches/affects others!
This to me is leaving a “legacy”, not just passing though as if nothing mattered!
What shows up for me personally, Michael, is the need to apply complete care and compassion to my work whilst detaching from the outcome of the results of that work.
Insightful video, thank you. Have a great new year.
Being myself without allowing the boundaries of others to interfere with my expression is what brings me the most creativity and satisfaction. Usually, what I mistake in the response of others as non-acceptance turns out to be awe. And each time it happens I think I knew this all along and wonder why I keep forgetting.