Alfie is seventy-two-years old and decides to leave his wife of forty years, and have a good time. He meets a twenty-something call girl, and dates her. So why not a Ferrari instead of a call girl? you may ask, well, Anthony Hopkins who plays the character Alfie, in the movie,You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, says, “Everyone makes mistakes in life and this guy made a big mistake. It cost him his marriage and probably his life. Fear rules so many of our lives, and in our lives we try to accumulate and gather as much as we can because at the back of our mind,the end is in sight.”
(If you wish to listen to the interview, please click the link)
Furthermore, Hopkins states the moral of, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, the latest Woody Allen film is probably,”Carpe diem.”
Anthony Hopkins says, “We live and then we die, so what’s the big deal. Don’t analyze it. I gave up trying to figure it out years ago.” He then quotes a riddle from Yeats and interprets as, “Don’t try to find meaning in life, because you won’t. There may be a meaning, and there may not be one, none of us know, it’s all a mystery, and it’s all a dream.”
I find wisdom in his words, and a sense of relief, that sometimes, when life becomes overwhelming, we create problems that have not yet occurred, and may never happen, so why do we waste time worrying?
Another story taken from Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer, during his commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, also ties in with what Anthony Hopkins says. Jobs talks about death, since doctors initially told him he had three to six months left to live. This changed the way he thought about his life.
“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
I hope you’re already living the life you love to the fullest. I know some people are struggling, however, we need to stop letting different kinds of fear rule our lives.
Have you found what you love?
Yes! I love to be alone!
When younger so much was going on all the time but then it was my life and it was okay.
Nowadays I like to be alone but I do need social life – not as much as before.
I like it when I have time to think and create…
Such a wonderful post! That Jobs talk is one of my favourites.
Wise words indeed.
I try to live each day without regret. If I find that I start getting really stressed over something, it means I need to sit down and look at what I'm doing and how I'm spending my time. Usually I can spot pretty quickly what's getting me down and once I find the root of it, I look at the choices in front of me. What can I let go of without regret? What will make me feel regret if I let it go?
It's worked for me so far. 🙂 I am a firm believer that everyone should find what makes them happy and pursue it. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words you posted on my blog the other day. They really gave me a boost. I really appreciate you sticking with me after all this time, and for all the kind support you give. 🙂
All the best,
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
You have no idea how very close you are to reading mu life right now. It is fear that holds us back, and if we all had A Gutsy Writer on our phone list… things would be sooooo much better!
Thanks for the very positive reminders!
How's the book coming?
@BLOGitse
So when you're alone, you must have time to think and create, no?
@ladyfi
I know his speech was magnificent. Thanks for your comment.
@Angela
You've worked so hard at your website/blog and offered so much help to writers, that's the least I can do, is thank you.
I have recently started doing yoga and I dont know how but it has changed everything. I was afraid to go but the day I took my first class I was hooked. Now I am more relaxed, I feel better, I feel more connected to my bod and my mind. I am meeting new people in the class and I am getting along better with my family..It may not be my end to all ends but you are so right, find what you love to do and the rest will follow! The first step is the hardest and many steps lead to dead ends..:)
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." That is the statement that struck me the most out of all you had to say, I think because it is something I had to learn to do a long time ago. This reminder was a good one for me.
I live each day with the focus on how my actions might influence others. I never think about what might've been, but rather, how I can make each day a happier day for others.
Life can get in the way–not always going the direction one might like–often bringing out negative responses or actions.
Sometimes a critical remark, though I might feel justified, lands permanently in the heart of another person.
How does a person feel when a remark is heard? Do they feel defeated or less of a person because of it? How did my actions improve my life?
I live each day offering up/embracing whatever good or bad should be on my path.
I have no regrets about my marriage–38 years Oct 21st.
The only fears I have is the future which lies ahead for Jennifer and Paul.
@Anonymous
I'm glad to hear yoga is working for you. Funny you should mention as I've been thinking of trying myself.
@Jeanie
I agree, it's pretty powerful. Something women who try to please others first.
@GulfGal
Great advice. I do like the idea of allowing life to happen. I know that sometimes the most critical comments are those we make to our loved ones.
But what happens to the wife of 40 years? What does she do?
@Madame DeFarge
I want to know myself. I have seen two movies lately, and that's also on my list. My husband didn't want to go last weekend, so it's postponed, until I go alone.
Regarding the film, I will hold my opinion until after I have seen it; Woody Allen's most recent films I felt have been major disappointments. Trailers often are better than their films.
That said, I wish I could say that I live life to the fullest each day; in reality it is a struggle. I am often consumed with stress and worry; it is not rational, but it happens. I have the best of intentions, but often I fail to put them into positive action.
But yes, I am well aware of the concept and wish I could embrace it more wholly. Fortunately I have a wife who tries to help me with that very thing. I am fortunate.
I think part of loving your life is being content with the decisions you have made along the way. I want to live a life without too many regrets, and that means making the right decisions today, even if it means going through a rough patch.
@Robert the Skeptic
I don't know if you've blogged about your career. Aren't you into films and documentaries? I would love to learn more about that, if you have a blog post on it.
@Brenda
I know what you mean about making the right decision but don't you think that sometimes we have to take risks, when we're not quite sure what will work out in the long run? Thanks for your comment.
Jobs is so right. That is great advice that we should all heed.
In retrospect I think I've lived as I wanted to live most of my life. That said, I have to admit that what I love to do has changed many times. It's all part of the journey and each journey is unique.
Thanks for a though provoking post!