As I get considerably beyond the biblical allotment of three score years and ten, I feel with increasing intensity that I can express my gratitude for still being around on the oxygen-side of the earth's crust only by not standing pat on what I have hitherto known and loved. While oxygen lasts, there are still new things to love, especially if compassion is a form of love.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of continuous gratitude and exploration throughout life, especially as one ages.
In this quote, Norman Maclean reflects on his longevity and expresses a deep appreciation for life, suggesting that true gratitude comes from not only being alive but also from actively seeking new experiences and love. He implies that as long as one breathes, there is always potential for new discoveries and forms of love, particularly highlighting the significance of compassion as a vital aspect of our connections to others.
In practice
In a speech about aging, one could use this quote to illustrate the value of life experiences.
Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
Ahead and to the west was our ranger station - and the mountains of Idaho, poems of geology stretching beyond any boundaries and seemingly even beyond the world.
Poets talk about "spots of time", but it is really the fishermen who experience eternity compressed into a moment. No one can tell what a spot of time is until suddenly the whole world is a fish and the fish is gone.
At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear. It is those we live with and love and should know who elude us. You can love completely without complete understanding.
One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful even if it is only a floating ash.
One great thing about fly fishing is that after a while nothing exists of the world but thoughts about fly fishing
The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.
Don't expect smart people to listen to you without proof.
I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.
In order to know the light, we must first experience the darkness.
The present moment is the substance with which the future is made. Therefore, the best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment. What else can you do?
Get work, get work; Be sure 'tis better than what you work to get.
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