It is not enough to reach for the brass ring. You must also enjoy the merry go round.
Interpretation
Striving for goals is important, but one must also find joy in the journey.
This quote emphasizes that while achieving one's goals (symbolized by reaching for the brass ring) is significant, it is equally crucial to appreciate and enjoy the experiences and moments that accompany the pursuit of those goals (represented by the merry-go-round). Life is not solely about reaching milestones but also about savouring the process and experiences along the way.
In practice
In a graduation speech, one might say this to encourage students to appreciate their time in school as much as their future careers.
I've learned a lot of things about myself through singing. I used to have a certain dislike of the audience, not as individual people, but as a giant body who was judging me. Of course, it wasn`t really them judging me. It was me judging me. Once I got past that fear, it freed me up, not just when I was performing but in other parts of my life.
Singing has been a cherished gift, and my inability to sing has been a devastating blow.
My mother was terribly important to me, and I know how much I yearned for her in my youth, but I don't think I truly trusted her.
I come from a long line of below-stairs maids and gardeners. Good ol' peasant stock. My mother and her sister made a quantum leap out of that life. Then I made another quantum leap.
Every time I go out to perform, believe me. You never lose that fear of, 'I hope I do it right. I hope I don't fall flat on my face. I hope this will be good for them.'
Success is terrifying. Like happiness, it is often appreciated in retrospect. It's only later that you place it in perspective. Years from now, I'll look back and say, βGod, wasn't it wonderful.β
All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.
No one wants to live in a wheelchair unable to talk, only winking once for yes and twice for no. It's perfectly reasonable that there will come a point where the balance of judgment of life over death swings the other way.
Cast between the extremes of happiness and misfortune, uncertainty is a cruel torment.
When I die I'm going to dance first in all the galaxies...I'm gonna play and dance and sing.
Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
The sudden disappointment of a hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfillment of that hope never entirely removes.
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