It is not enough to reach for the brass ring. You must also enjoy the merry go round.
Interpretation
Striving for goals is important, but one must also find joy in the journey.
This quote emphasizes that while achieving one's goals (symbolized by reaching for the brass ring) is significant, it is equally crucial to appreciate and enjoy the experiences and moments that accompany the pursuit of those goals (represented by the merry-go-round). Life is not solely about reaching milestones but also about savouring the process and experiences along the way.
In practice
In a graduation speech, one might say this to encourage students to appreciate their time in school as much as their future careers.
I've learned a lot of things about myself through singing. I used to have a certain dislike of the audience, not as individual people, but as a giant body who was judging me. Of course, it wasn`t really them judging me. It was me judging me. Once I got past that fear, it freed me up, not just when I was performing but in other parts of my life.
Singing has been a cherished gift, and my inability to sing has been a devastating blow.
My mother was terribly important to me, and I know how much I yearned for her in my youth, but I don't think I truly trusted her.
I come from a long line of below-stairs maids and gardeners. Good ol' peasant stock. My mother and her sister made a quantum leap out of that life. Then I made another quantum leap.
Every time I go out to perform, believe me. You never lose that fear of, 'I hope I do it right. I hope I don't fall flat on my face. I hope this will be good for them.'
Success is terrifying. Like happiness, it is often appreciated in retrospect. It's only later that you place it in perspective. Years from now, I'll look back and say, βGod, wasn't it wonderful.β
Actresses can get outrageously precious about the way they look. That's not what life's about. If you starve yourself to the point where your brain cells shrivel, you will never do good work. And if you're overly conscious of your arms flapping in the wind, how can you look the other actor in the eye to respond to them?
He who loves not women, wine, and song Remains a fool his whole life long.
Life is like skiing. Just like skiing, the goal is not to get to the bottom of the hill. It's to have a bunch of good runs before the sun sets.
Nothing but pain, stuck in this game, searching for fortune and fame.
I mean that everything this afternoon has been too beautiful, and that perhaps everything together will never be so right again. I'm very glad therefore you've been a part of it.
in the trees this afternoon, he was a giver of bread and teddy bears.
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