I thought it’d be funny to write down things I find myself saying often, and see whether it changes often.
House Words
People, not things
Current house words
I think of these as personal mantras, or my brand motto, or the tagline on the movie poster of my life. Words to live by, or values to remember, much like the house words from Game of Thrones.
People, not things
A reminder that if I have to choose between people or things, my life would be poorer without the people.
A simple example — if I get a chance between spending time with people (gathering with friends, or even just meeting new people) versus spending time with things (videogames, watching a movie by myself), choosing ‘people’ has rewarded me more richly over the years.
This doesn’t mean I’m any less of an introvert, or I’d rather go drinking than file my taxes; just a reminder of what’s important in life. See also Improv.
The thing is not the thing
Many interpersonal arguments are not actually about the decision or action, but about some unresolved issues from before (which were never resolved;) or from behind (out of sight but not out of mind); many gestures and actions have loaded, hidden meanings unrelated to the actual utility/physical reality of the gesture. What are you really angry about, what do you really feel? The thing is not the thing, and there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
A rising new quote. Sometimes applied in scenes, where the point of the scene is rarely what is seen in the scene. Sometimes misapplied in real life, but rarely; people are almost never as literal and obvious as I hope they’ll be.
This is partly inspired by a previous mentor’s appreciation for Taleb’s Incerto; ‘All you see is not all there is‘. We should try to understand if there’s more behind what’s visible at face value; solving the real problem, the cause, is worth a thousand reliefs for the symptom.
The thing is not the thing.
There Are More Important Things
A personal reminder and a swift retort to take a step back, and observe what is truly most important in life. Always, always, it is maybe not worth getting angry or upset or broken up about some things, because there are more important things (TAMIT).
Improv Class Things
I think of these as personal mantras, or my brand motto, or the tagline on the movie poster of my life. Words to live by, or values to remember, much like the house words from Game of Thrones. .
- Listening is important
- The thing is not the thing
- Art is anything that moves you; if it makes you feel something, somewhere, then it’s art.
- Something magical happens when two people look each other in the eyes, and you don’t even have to say a word
- Words not important
- Words not important, the meaning of words is important
- The second best way to get good at improv is to practice improv. The best way to get good at improv is to live a rich, fulfilling life.
End Quote
This is more of a spiel than a specific quote, but I believe in magic, and words are magic – the only type of magic I can do.