From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
My recent birthday seemed to be a time for receiving cards that gave me a new understanding on how I could live my life. One of the most wonderful cards came from a great friend who had once been my flatmate. On the front it had a question 'what did you come here for?'. The answer was on the inside: "I CAME TO LIVE OUT LOUD'.
Isn't that fantastic? Mind you she sent it with a note - 'to the person who lives her life the loudest!'. Which I took as a great compliment cos I know she wasn't referring to the volume of my voice!
Think about it. How many people do you know that live in fear of being noticed? Their greatest desire is to blend in; be the same as others; fit in; merge with the wall! God forbid they should do any thing to bring attention to themselves.
Imagine you are walking down a street , or at a party or in a meeting place somewhere. Do you actually look at every person that walks past you and make a judgment about them? Are you doing a critique of how they look; what they are wearing; how they are walking? Only if you are bored senseless and have loads of time on your hands! And into judging yourself.
Yet why do we spend so much time worrying about what complete strangers are thinking or going to think about us? Who cares? If you are never going to see that person again in your whole life what does it matter if they see you in scungy clothes; with your hair messy; or doing silly or childish things?
Last week, my man and I went shopping. He lives life out more loud than I do! And I love it! Now, we both think we have a good sense of humor; most others think we are completely mad! But guess who has more fun? Back to the supermarket. Shopping for groceries is one of the most uninteresting activities known to personkind. Unless you go shopping in aisle 11 of Woolworths at Neutral Bay which is the latest hot pick up place. We decided to make it more interesting so I climbed (at his suggestion!) into the trolley. and he pushed me around. It was worth it not only for the fun and laughter we had but also to see the looks on the faces of the grown ups shopping around us!
I may have just lost two thirds of my favorite readers! But at least I practice what I preach. And I live out loud. I ain't gonna be on my deathbed gasping out "I wish I had done more with my life". I'm doing it. And I don't care how others judge my behavior - I always aim to be respectful and do nothing that hurts others - but enjoy myself. Do you?
Do you think of playful things to do that make you laugh? That may make a normally mundane task fun? Do you have a 'playmate' who will be silly with you? It's not really embarrassing. Most people in the supermarket smiled at us - some even laughed. We brightened their day and I bet most of them were thinking 'wish I had the courage to do that.' "Course they could have been thinking "they should be locked up'! Some people were obviously brain dead and couldn't raise even a flicker of interest on their faces - or maybe they are used to the sight of a grown up (theoretically) woman sitting in a shopping trolley.
Some people don't even live, let alone live out loud. I know, I hear you muttering 'it's OK for her - she's young (ish); or older and more confident; or stupid; or brave; or creative; or lucky etc'. Rubbish. It's an attitude. How do you want to live? Like a mouse? Never noticed? Discreet? Sombre? Serious? Can you laugh at yourself? Is it OK if others laugh with you? Do you ever think of brightening someone else's day? It's a choice you make. Live out loud or slide your way inconspicuously (and probably boringly) through life! Life is short - laugh lots. Do silly things. Live out loud.
- Live out loud.
My recent birthday seemed to be a time for receiving cards that gave me a new understanding on how I could live my life. One of the most wonderful cards came from a great friend who had once been my flatmate. On the front it had a question 'what did you come here for?'. The answer was on the inside: "I CAME TO LIVE OUT LOUD'.
Isn't that fantastic? Mind you she sent it with a note - 'to the person who lives her life the loudest!'. Which I took as a great compliment cos I know she wasn't referring to the volume of my voice!
Think about it. How many people do you know that live in fear of being noticed? Their greatest desire is to blend in; be the same as others; fit in; merge with the wall! God forbid they should do any thing to bring attention to themselves.
Imagine you are walking down a street , or at a party or in a meeting place somewhere. Do you actually look at every person that walks past you and make a judgment about them? Are you doing a critique of how they look; what they are wearing; how they are walking? Only if you are bored senseless and have loads of time on your hands! And into judging yourself.
Yet why do we spend so much time worrying about what complete strangers are thinking or going to think about us? Who cares? If you are never going to see that person again in your whole life what does it matter if they see you in scungy clothes; with your hair messy; or doing silly or childish things - let alone having fun?
Some time ago, a friend and I went shopping. He lives life more 'out loud' than I do! And I love it! Now, we both think we have a good sense of humor; most others think we are completely mad! But guess who has more fun? Back to the supermarket. Shopping for groceries is one of the most uninteresting activities known to personkind. Unless you go shopping in aisle 11 of Woolworths at Neutral Bay which is still a 'hot' pick up place. We decided to make it more interesting so I climbed (at his suggestion!) into the trolley. and he pushed me around. It was worth it not only for the fun and laughter we had but also to see the looks on the faces of the grown ups shopping around us!
I may have just lost two thirds of my favorite readers! But at least I practice what I preach. And I live out loud. I ain't gonna be on my deathbed gasping out "I wish I had done more with my life". I'm doing it. And I don't care how others judge my behavior - I always aim to be respectful and do nothing that hurts others - but I believe it's OK to enjoy myself. Do you?
Do you think of playful things to do that make you laugh? That may make a normally mundane task fun? Do you have a 'playmate' who will be silly with you? It's not really embarrassing. Most people in the supermarket smiled at us - some even laughed. We brightened their day and I bet most of them were thinking 'wish I had the courage to do that.'
"Course they could have been thinking "they should be locked up'! Some people were obviously brain dead and couldn't raise even a flicker of interest on their faces - or maybe they are used to the sight of a grown up (theoretically) woman sitting in a shopping trolley.
Some people don't even live, let alone live out loud. I know, I hear you muttering 'it's OK for her - she's young (ish); or older and more confident; or stupid; or brave; or creative; or lucky etc'. Rubbish. It's an attitude. How do you want to live? Like a mouse? Never noticed? Discreet? Sombre? Serious? Or full of laughter or joy.
Can you laugh at yourself? Is it OK if others laugh with you? Do you ever think of brightening someone else's day? It's a choice you make. Live out loud or slide your way inconspicuously (and probably boringly) through life!
Bryce Courtenay tells a story about the Chief Rabbi of Melbourne who approached him after a presentation and said "so, Mr Courtenay, you seem to be a happy man, that's good, enjoy your life, remember , you're not going to come out of it alive". Bryce says in explanation of his apparent relentless drive, rush and zest for life, "I am constantly aware that I'm not going to come out of it alive".
Life is short - laugh lots. Do silly things. Live out loud.
Palatino¿ÄÄEÖE‡/53 live out loudAmanda GoreAmanda Gore
