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
If we don't choose to intentionally and consciously slow down and stop being in a rush, your body and mind will force you to do it anyway.
If you survive long enough, you're revered - rather like an old building.
Service brings merit, merit allows you to go deeper in meditation, meditation brings back your smile.
You must accept the truth from whatever source it comes.
I can be stressed, or tired, and I can go into a meditation and it all just flows off of me. I'll come out of it refreshed and centered and that's how I'll feel and it'll carry through the day.
One man's word is no man's word; we should quietly hear both sides.
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