Having been a fan of Jimmy Buffett and his music for many years now, I've had the opportunity to memorize more than a few of his song lyrics. And I'm pleasantly amazed at the number of times that Jimmy Buffett quotes have brought needed wisdom into my life.
One of my favorites, from the song "Changes in Latitudes," is, "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane." It's a very useful perspective. First of all, what is "crazy," really? What is "normal?" Who gets to decide, and why? I think that the point of this lyric for me is that it's important to not take life too seriously. Also, that at some great Cosmic level, everyone's quirk is okay.
Another favorite is "Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been." I suppose one could look at this and say, "Oh, so that means that if I never smile, my face will be as smooth as a baby's bottom, right?" I don't think that's the point. Personally, I think everyone's going to end up with wrinkles and creases on our faces anyway. We get to choose how we acquire them. In the Great Game of Life, wouldn't it be more fun to get our wrinkles from smiling than from frowning? I mean, really?
One more quote from "Changes in Latitudes" - what a meaning-full song! - is, "yesterday's over my shoulder, but I can't look back for too long. There's just too much to see waiting in front of me, and I know that I can't go wrong." The sense of hope in that line always brings a smile to my face and a sparkle to my eye. I can indeed choose whether to look back or forward, each and every day I'm on this walkabout, and while I'm a result of all that lies behind me, I can only affect what lies before me. There's always something new and wonderful yet to be explored.
Some of my favorite Jimmy Buffett quotes come not from Jimmy's songs, but from his interviews and books. He's published several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Did you know that? One of my favorites is "A Pirate Looks at Fifty," which is a semi-autobiographical tale of Jimmy taking a trip with his family to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. One of my favorite quotes is about some of the gear he would take with him when he travels - and he doesn't travel light. He says he always takes a small amplifier with him, so that when he stops to play at tiny bars Down Island, he can drown out the drunk guy at the other end of the bar shouting, "It's not really him! It's not really him!"
One of my favorites, from the song "Changes in Latitudes," is, "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane." It's a very useful perspective. First of all, what is "crazy," really? What is "normal?" Who gets to decide, and why? I think that the point of this lyric for me is that it's important to not take life too seriously. Also, that at some great Cosmic level, everyone's quirk is okay.
Another favorite is "Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been." I suppose one could look at this and say, "Oh, so that means that if I never smile, my face will be as smooth as a baby's bottom, right?" I don't think that's the point. Personally, I think everyone's going to end up with wrinkles and creases on our faces anyway. We get to choose how we acquire them. In the Great Game of Life, wouldn't it be more fun to get our wrinkles from smiling than from frowning? I mean, really?
One more quote from "Changes in Latitudes" - what a meaning-full song! - is, "yesterday's over my shoulder, but I can't look back for too long. There's just too much to see waiting in front of me, and I know that I can't go wrong." The sense of hope in that line always brings a smile to my face and a sparkle to my eye. I can indeed choose whether to look back or forward, each and every day I'm on this walkabout, and while I'm a result of all that lies behind me, I can only affect what lies before me. There's always something new and wonderful yet to be explored.
Some of my favorite Jimmy Buffett quotes come not from Jimmy's songs, but from his interviews and books. He's published several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Did you know that? One of my favorites is "A Pirate Looks at Fifty," which is a semi-autobiographical tale of Jimmy taking a trip with his family to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. One of my favorite quotes is about some of the gear he would take with him when he travels - and he doesn't travel light. He says he always takes a small amplifier with him, so that when he stops to play at tiny bars Down Island, he can drown out the drunk guy at the other end of the bar shouting, "It's not really him! It's not really him!"
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