Evolve or Die by Thomas C Triumph

Author:Thomas C Triumph [Triumph, Thomas C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732686618
Publisher: Ex Innovo Press
Published: 2018-09-03T22:00:00+00:00

Part Three

Business and Work

Tools of Trade, More Than a Job

Find What You Love and Let It Kill You

There’s a beautiful piece of writing by pianist James Rhodes, which after reading several times I’m only now beginning to truly appreciate. It’s a heartfelt request to forgo at least some of the trite, habitual activities that inhabit part of our days. He reminds us to recall our childhood dreams or adult aspirations, kick aside the inertia (fear) of getting started and steadfastly carve out the time to pursue, struggle, and suffer for a goal.

“We seem to have evolved into a society of mourned and misplaced creativity. A world where people have simply surrendered to (or been beaten into submission by) the sleepwalk of work, domesticity, mortgage repayments, junk food, junk TV junk, everything, angry ex-wives, ADHD kids and the lure of eating chicken from a bucket while emailing clients at 8pm on a weekend.”36

Later in his thoughtful article, Rhodes makes an argument for us to consider going after our dreams. He tells us that the pursuit will likely be ridiculously difficult and time-consuming. It will be exceedingly frustrating and, in the end, might only result in the internal satisfaction of doing something you couldn’t do before. And yet, he suggests that alone is often a sufficiently small miracle and satisfaction enough.

In the case of James Rhodes, after ten years of not playing the piano, he left his corporate job and spent the next five years with no income, practicing six hours a day. He lost his wife, 35 pounds, and spent nine months in a mental institution. Was it worth it? He says it was for him. Have a listen to him playing the piano.37

A caveat. By no means am I advocating that anyone commit to a life of ruin. But, at the same time, at least for me, Rhodes’ words are a reminder that we should embolden ourselves to at least consider chasing down and running to ground an abandoned dream. There’s something romantic and appealing in that quest.

Let Rhodes be a great reminder to reach further toward what calls us—whether our loves, our work, or our art. Whether that’s family, career, or something else. It’s easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day. The mind-numbing, never-ceasing focus of “keeping the wheels” on a job. Doing more with less. Going with the flow. Grinding through uninspired.

Maybe we need to take some inspiration from the unorthodox, the unreasonable ones. The people like James Rhodes wrenching themselves into a new form. The people described in the Apple ad: “Here’s to the crazy ones.” And that’s what I think is meant by the term, “Find what you love and let it kill you.” Commit to doing great work, and invest your life force.

Lots of people have done it. They’ve given us these lessons along the way.

The benefit of doing.

George Bernard Shaw wrote, “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” Good advice from a

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