I suddenly understood that if every moment of a book should be taken seriously, then every moment of a life should be taken seriously as well.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of valuing each moment in life, just as one would value each moment in a good book.
Sherman Alexie's quote draws a parallel between life and literature, suggesting that just as a well-crafted book holds significance in every moment, so too should we appreciate and take seriously each moment of our own lives. This perspective encourages mindfulness and a deeper engagement with our experiences, reminding us that life, like a story, is made up of moments that contribute to the overall narrative.
In practice
Using this quote during a motivational speech about personal growth.
Gordie, the white boy genius, gave me this book by a Russian dude named Tolstoy, who wrote, 'Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Well, I hate to argue with a Russian genius, but Tolstoy didn't know Indians, and he didn't know that all Indian families are unhappy for the same exact reasons: the frikkin' booze.
My wife was the first romantic partner who understood both American and native parts of me - not so much the positive stuff, but the damage.
I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because words are too limited. If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture everybody can understand it. If I draw a cartoon of a flower, then every man, woman, and child in the world can look at it and say, "That's a flower.
We all have to find our own ways to say good-bye.
I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don't write to protect them. It's far too late for that. I write to give them weapons-in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.
A lot of people have no idea that right now Y.A. (young adult). is the Garden of Eden of literature.
It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones.
It is not the being seen of men that is wrong, but doing these things for the purpose of being seen of men. The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation.
In such a porcelain life, one likes to be sure that all is well lest one stumble upon one's hopes in a pile of broken crockery.
Whatever is not forbidden is permitted.
A claim for equality of material position can be met only by a government with totalitarian powers.
Women are degraded by the propensity to enjoy the present moment, and, at last, despise the freedom which they have not sufficient virtue to struggle to attain.
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