Much like Stephen Colbert at the end of this video clip, this impromptu performance from Jeff Goldblum left me speechless.
When asked about what keeps him inspired, this quote from George Bernard Shaw was what Goldblum had tucked up his sleeve.
I listened to these words, more and more intrigued as he continued to share.
My first thought was that I have some personal issues to work on because, really, I know I’ll never have the memory to be able to spout off quotes, and I’m jealous of his actor’s brain (Side note: How do they do that?!). When I managed to set aside that irrational jealous streak, I was drawn to the quotation, as I’d never heard it before, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my brain since.
It’s just been bouncing around up there, gaining momentum until I agreed to let it have the light of day.
A little Googling brought up the passages:
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
Amen to that. Achingly simple and yet, I agree—that is damn inspiring.
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