Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind - listen to the birds. And don't hate nobody.
Interpretation
Appreciate the good fortune in life and focus on positivity rather than negativity.
This quote by Eubie Blake emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the fortunate moments in life while encouraging a positive outlook. Instead of dwelling on challenges or negativity, symbolized by 'thunder,' one should listen to the good, represented by 'the birds,' and nurture a spirit of kindness by avoiding hatred.
In practice
During a speech about overcoming obstacles, one might quote this to inspire positivity.
Ideas are the easy part. I spend a lot of time batting them away, trying to keep them from distracting me from what I actually have to focus on and finish. A lot of times, they are a siren temptress beckoning me with the promise of a much shorter, simpler, more slender novel over the horizon, but of course that's very dangerous.
The foolish man wonders at the unusual, but the wise man at the usual.
Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.
If you can't say it simply and clearly, keep quiet, and keep working on it till you can.
People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it.
Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience.
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