These words were spoken to Red by the fictional inmate Andy Dufresne at Maine's Shawshank Prison in 1947.
Get busy living or get busy dying.
It is my first thought each morning when I rise.
My immediate second thought is, "so now what?"
Then it all starts to become complicated.
Andy was a thinker who set and pursued goals. For him, happiness existed with hope. He hoped to start an inn in Mexico and provide a charter boat service.
For him to get busy living, however, he was forced to stoically endure torture at the hands of the guards and the other prisoners.
For him to get busy living, he also had to dig an escape tunnel, build trust with the guards and other inmates, and meticulously defraud the warden.Living with hope and happiness is a choice and, as seen in Andy's case, may require endurance and action all at the same time.
We are born with the capacity to live lives filled with hope and happiness. We indeed live in a country in which the persuit of happiness is a constitutional guarantee.
That being said, the very idea of hope or happiness may become so buried or blurred over time that it eludes even our deepest probes.
We are all filled with dreams. We are all filled with hope.
Get busy living, or get busy dying.
Thank you for visiting.
Jack
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
"Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying"
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3 comments:
Congrats on the book, man! Can't wait to see it at Century Theaters in 2009.
What will be just beyond your grasp that will tantalize you and spur your imagination?
What does "write something every day" mean? Beginning, middle, end....or....random wanderings along the ill-defined landscape?
Does there have to be a goal? Or is "something" enough?
How's that for your first blog response?
L, D
Next time you get writer's block, how about working in a quote from the Princess Bride? Not to downplay Shawshank Redemption, of course. I think it's my second favorite movie of all time. And it's nice to revisit the quote that you chose. Speaking of quotes, how about the first line of Uncle John's Band? Or a choice extract from Celluloid Heroes? Looking forward to tomorrow!
I can't believe Sam beat me to commenting here. Shawshank Redemption isn't my second favorite movie, it is my very favorite movie, and so I especially enjoyed reading your thoughts on what may be the linchpin quote of the entire movie.
For me, blogging has been a great way to get back into writing. An easy, non-threatening way to put words to "page" regularly and consistently and to find a voice again. Consider it a great way to try out new things and keep loose. I love it.
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