tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702704691528115190.post4807433038662479096..comments2023-11-05T00:54:02.116-07:00Comments on Not Sweating the Small Stuff: Alex de Ravinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451670815693819558noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702704691528115190.post-56402897814079013432009-05-26T04:09:59.460-07:002009-05-26T04:09:59.460-07:00hey paul in NYCthanks for commenting - this postin...hey paul in NYC<br><br>thanks for commenting - this posting has been bubbling up for some time - just not sure if it would strike any cords - so very happy for your reaction - tho what spurred you into new things and a different life was more diffuse <br><br>certainly Melbourne of my youth was similarly restricting and London the place where i was able to embrace and indulge theatre concerts opera and ballet - i was for a long time a 4-5night a weeker! cos it was affordable then.<br><br>and in a parallel way i ask myself about new indulgences (extending my travel last year from 2 to 7 moths) - the answer i usually (tho not always) give myself is a resounding 'yes' - life is too short to lack courage and say 'no'<br><br>be in touch<br><br>nicknickwallacesmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18264274719820605716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702704691528115190.post-63818674050360973272009-05-25T07:19:38.094-07:002009-05-25T07:19:38.094-07:00What an extraordinarily moving post! Thank you for...What an extraordinarily moving post! Thank you for it. Who else, I ask you, would have side-by-side posts about the very personal effect of Forster on one's life, and hot naked guys? (Mr. Forester would certainly approve. Indeed, perhaps that's more of his influence?)<br><br>Since first reading this post a couple days ago, I've thought much about who might have been such a guiding light in my life. To my surprise there isn't such a person, though many people have nudged here and there, and many people have been very generous in helping me along the path.<br><br>Rather than a person, what got me out of the claustrophobic rural American South and away from religious Fundamentalism (personified by a mother who was probably mentally ill) was an overwhelming love for classical music, opera, the theater, and the desire to live among people who shared my passion, who understood why it was necessary to read books, who understood that buying a painting or a work of art was, indeed, a necessity, not a luxury. It was the overpowering drive to satisfying MY soul's craving, (not the barren soul I was lectured about in church) that was the strongest motivating force for me.<br><br>Of course, I still have to ask myself occasionally, if a proposed action is a necessity of my soul, or if I'm behaving like a petulant 3 year old. Very tough to tell the difference sometimes.<br><br>Thank you for this post, Nick. It continues to resonate in a marvelous way.Paul in NYCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702704691528115190.post-69425621112296744952009-05-24T05:43:26.397-07:002009-05-24T05:43:26.397-07:00hey alanbeen a bit busy and un-blogged the last da...hey alan<br><br>been a bit busy and un-blogged the last day or so - be good to catch up online on gmail<br><br>i thought of you doing the post - only cos we've both had tyrannical mothers - or allowed ourselves to be tyrannized in my case<br><br>be in touch soon?<br><br>nicknickwallacesmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18264274719820605716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702704691528115190.post-45967986173115558492009-05-23T11:54:04.892-07:002009-05-23T11:54:04.892-07:00Nope - always been a rudderless dinghy.Glad you ha...Nope - always been a rudderless dinghy.<br><br>Glad you had such an extraordinary influence on your life such as Forster.<br><br><br>Alan down in FloridaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com