You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea. (Pearl S. Buck)
From the moment I first read it, I’ve loved this quote. It cracks me up and makes me cringe simultaneously. Lately, I’ve come in contact with quite a few people adamant about sticking with their way of doing things, and sadly, most of these people are over the age of 50. Why is that?
Why, as we age, do we become less open to new ways of doing things?
Is it totally a fear of change? Or is it an ego thing – we think we know what’s best and no one else can tell us otherwise?
Personally, I love reading about new ways to do something or new ways to look at an idea. Perhaps that’s the Gemini in me. Or, maybe, I’m just an open-minded person so new ideas and change don’t frighten me nearly as much as they might when I’m older and have less road ahead of me than behind me.
Whatever the answer, I do hope I will never lose my vigor for listening to another side of a story or practicing a new way of growing my business or learning an improved method of telling my tales.
Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.
(Mark Twain)
Change is inevitable, and if we live our lives in fear of change, or refusing to make changes, then I think we’ll find ourselves suffering way more than need be.
And on that note, I want to let you know I’ll be changing the regularity with which I post my favorite quotes in 2010. Going forward, I’ll simply post a quote as I come across it in my notes or while reading, so that could mean one a week, one a month or one every two months. I just wanted to give you a heads up so the change wouldn’t take you by surprise.
My blog goals for 2010 include posting movie and book reviews on a regular basis along with excerpts from my WIP. Thus, I’ve cut myself some slack on the posts for monthly quotes so I don’t overwhelm my poor old muse. Goddess knows I don’t need her going on strike 🙂
2010 is going to be a really productive year for me so I hope you stay tuned and chime in with your feedback when and where you feel the urge to leave your two cents.
I value all feedback!
You are so right, Leah about people being afraid of change. Just the other day I had this conversation with someone. Change is different, if it wasn’t it wouldn’t be called change it would be called “the same.”
It’s good that you’ve set some writing goals for 2010. I wish you all the best.
Thank you, Laura. I’m really good about achieving my goals as long as I write them down and stay focused. I appreciate your support. Take care!
P.S. I hope Bitter, Sweet is doing well. I plan to get a copy [http://bit.ly/7AL6rg] as soon as it’s released here.