The Other Side of Practicality

 

 

POINT TO PONDER

So many of us chose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.

                                                - Jim Carrey

 

STORY LINE 

The embedded video is of Jim Carrey's commencement speech at the 2014 MUM graduation. It was sent to me a few years ago by a reader and at first glance I wasn't expecting much more than a few laughs. It was Jim Carrey after all. The jokes I anticipated were there but after the laughter subsided, another side, and an ultimately more emotional and contemplative side of the comedian came to light. Jim Carrey began to speak about fear and love. About how the choices we make in life originate from those two sources.

To illustrate his point, Jim gave the example of his father, a man that spent his life making choices out of fear. Jim said that his father could have been a great comedian but didn't believe that it could ever happen for him. So instead he got a safe job as an accountant. 

When Jim turned 12, however, his father was let go from that job and from then on the family struggled to survive. Jim maintains that he learned something very important from his father's experience.  The lesson, according to Jim, was that, "you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love."

REFLECTION: Almost every sentence in this speech has a deep message, some of them delivered with humor. More I listen to each one of his sentences, more I appreciate the depth and profoundness of the message.

It is worth 25 minutes of time as we start our journey into 2017 and beyond.

 

 

 

Comments

[BHSC]

Thank you for sharing. More wisdom than I would have ever guessed from Jim C… never judge a book by its cover.

[A friend in need....]

That was wonderful sent to many important people in my life, thank you again

[bobby]

absolutely wonderful. some people are able to put such simple words to such complex feelings.

[Sam]

Good reminder that fear is a constant companion in our endeavors. Insightful that our fear comes to us in a disguise of being practical!

[Graduate of MQ]

Excellent speech from Jim, I love it. Lots of meaningful sharing…specifically at 23:20 mins when talk about ‘Let the universe know what you want, work towards it….” – this associate to Alchemist quotes on “have a dream….the universe will conspire to help you achieve your dream” 

[Sam]

Thanks Anand for sharing this again! It is always a good reminder that what we seek in Life are experiences where we can value others and also when others value us. But this journey will only start when we see the value in ourselves!

[Humble Warrior]

"what does the world need that your talent can provide?"

"the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is"

Jim was getting deep, I love it