It's a positive thing to talk about terrible things and make people laugh about them.
Louis C. K.Read
I just always loved comedy and I really wanted to be good at it. And it was heartbreaking, 'cause I started and I wasn't good at it. I was only 17-years-old, so I had a lot to learn about life in general. But I just kept on trying. I was young enough and stupid enough and I had no other choice. I had nothing else I was good at.
Interpretation
Pursuing a passion despite initial failure can lead to growth and perseverance.
This quote by Louis C.K. captures the essence of resilience in the face of adversity. Starting out in comedy, he faced challenges and heartbreak due to his lack of skill at a young age. However, his determination and willingness to learn kept him going. It emphasizes the importance of persistence in pursuing one's passion, regardless of early setbacks, and reflects on the growth that comes from continued effort and experience.
In practice
During a speech at a comedy club, one could quote this to encourage aspiring comedians to not give up.
It's a positive thing to talk about terrible things and make people laugh about them.
[about being a father] I don't really remember what it was like before. Whatever I had going on, it was bullshit. It wasn't important. It's kind of a nice thing about being a dad. My identity is really about them now, and what I can do for them, so it sort of takes the pressure off of your own life. What am I going to do, who am I? Who cares, you've got to get your kids to school. So I like it that way.
The only time you should look in your neighbor's bowl is to make sure that they have enough. You don't look in your neighbor's bowl to see if you have as much as them.
In 27 years doing this, I've seen a handful of truly great, masterful standup sets. One was Tig Notaro last night at Largo.
When you write from your gut and let the stuff stay flawed and don't let anybody tell you to make it better, it can end up looking like nothing else.
People come back from flights and tell you a story like it's a horror story. That's how bad they make it sound. They're like, 'It was the worst day of my life. We didn't board for 20 minutes and they made us sit there on the runway for 40 minutes.' Oh really? What happened next? Did you fly in the air, incredibly, like a bird? Did you partake in the miracle of human flight you non-contributing zero?'
The day you catch an idea you fall in love with, even a small one, is a beautiful day.
I am impressed with just the enthusiasm for life and the fact that some of these people are in their 80's, even 90's, and they're absolutely determined to get out there and make a difference.
I think there's a moral imperative when you're writing fictional heroes to give characters who somehow give us something to aspire to as opposed to dragging them down to our level.
The biggest benefit of Apollo was the inspiration it gave to a growing generation to get into science and aerospace.
Hold on to your dreams for they are, in a sense, the stuff of which reality is made. It is through our dreams that we maintain the possibility of a better, more meaningful life.
Expect resistance but pray for miracles!
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