Sometimes I'll just start a blog post and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way. When I say sometimes, I, of course, mean all the time.
So, of course, this week's quote is from The Office! If you're not ready to cry, well, too bad.
Quote: "The weird thing is, now I'm exactly where I want to be. I got my dream job at Cornell...and I'm still just thinking about my old pals. Only now they're the ones I made here. I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you actually left them."
The thing is, this quote isn't really stylistically powerful. If I were to just read this quote, I don't think it would have nearly the same impact on me. But because this is Andy Bernard-a character I have watched struggle over several seasons-and because this is Ed Helms-an actor who is about to cry in this scene-I can't help but feel like someone just punched me in the gut. this scene here epitomizes why I'm focusing on audible quotes. It really changes the words when you see the pain of this character still continue even in the finale and he is literally tearing up. We want to learn from him and not make his mistakes. He didn't live in the present, but we can see now that one day the present we currently live in might be some of the best days we will ever have. So, we better not waste them.
What really gets me about this quote is that it's a regretful tone. It's a strong juxtaposition from the "carpe diem" quote that it meant to be positive and forceful. I think this difference in tone is usually what determines if it's a powerful quote for me or not. Not that I'm just a sad person who likes to wallow in his sadness! It's more like I want to avoid the sadness that I can see.
And now, time for the literary equivalent. So, this book isn't actually a literary classic in the sense that you could use it on the AP Literature Exam, but it is a really good book for children. The book is called Eldest, and it is part of the Eragon series written by Christopher Paoli. In this book, he writes "Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now." Rereading this, it is very serious sounding for a children's book. Then again, that series is incredible for its spellbinding storytelling and its complexity for storytelling. Children are exposed to this idea in this book. The thing is, this quote is incredibly easy to live by when you're a child. When I was ten years old, I definitely wasn't focused on my future, such as getting a job or graduating college debt free (the hint is you actually don't graduate debt free). So, while this quote is really powerful, I think its meaning goes over the target audience because it is too young.
I think I'm going to try and live in the present for the next week. I'm going to not let my future in 10 years dictate what I'm doing today. Wel'' see if I can make a memory during this week that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Carpe diem!
And on a final note, here is the song Andy sings towards the final moments of the finale. If the quote didn't make you cry, this certainly will (or you might not have empathy).
I'm sure we've all heard the phrase "carpe diem" and that we should all "seize the day." But the phrase is tossed around so much it might as well be a salad. Ok. That was so bad. I'm so sorry you had to read that. Anyway, I don't think I've ever remembered to live in the present because of this quote. I remember to live in the present because of none other than Andy Bernard!Sometimes I'll start a sentence, and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way.— Michael Scott (@carellquotes) August 7, 2013
So, of course, this week's quote is from The Office! If you're not ready to cry, well, too bad.
Quote: "The weird thing is, now I'm exactly where I want to be. I got my dream job at Cornell...and I'm still just thinking about my old pals. Only now they're the ones I made here. I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you actually left them."
The thing is, this quote isn't really stylistically powerful. If I were to just read this quote, I don't think it would have nearly the same impact on me. But because this is Andy Bernard-a character I have watched struggle over several seasons-and because this is Ed Helms-an actor who is about to cry in this scene-I can't help but feel like someone just punched me in the gut. this scene here epitomizes why I'm focusing on audible quotes. It really changes the words when you see the pain of this character still continue even in the finale and he is literally tearing up. We want to learn from him and not make his mistakes. He didn't live in the present, but we can see now that one day the present we currently live in might be some of the best days we will ever have. So, we better not waste them.
What really gets me about this quote is that it's a regretful tone. It's a strong juxtaposition from the "carpe diem" quote that it meant to be positive and forceful. I think this difference in tone is usually what determines if it's a powerful quote for me or not. Not that I'm just a sad person who likes to wallow in his sadness! It's more like I want to avoid the sadness that I can see.
And now, time for the literary equivalent. So, this book isn't actually a literary classic in the sense that you could use it on the AP Literature Exam, but it is a really good book for children. The book is called Eldest, and it is part of the Eragon series written by Christopher Paoli. In this book, he writes "Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now." Rereading this, it is very serious sounding for a children's book. Then again, that series is incredible for its spellbinding storytelling and its complexity for storytelling. Children are exposed to this idea in this book. The thing is, this quote is incredibly easy to live by when you're a child. When I was ten years old, I definitely wasn't focused on my future, such as getting a job or graduating college debt free (the hint is you actually don't graduate debt free). So, while this quote is really powerful, I think its meaning goes over the target audience because it is too young.
I think I'm going to try and live in the present for the next week. I'm going to not let my future in 10 years dictate what I'm doing today. Wel'' see if I can make a memory during this week that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Carpe diem!
And on a final note, here is the song Andy sings towards the final moments of the finale. If the quote didn't make you cry, this certainly will (or you might not have empathy).
Among a reminder to enjoy the present moment, without wallowing in the past or dreading/longing for the future, this post also made me want to watch the entire "Office" series from start to finish. Thank you for that. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what an incredible post!! I have never even seen The Office, and my heart still throbbed, especially with that final song that just hit home for me. I love that you pulled both an audible quote and a literary one into this piece, as well. "Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now" from Eragon is a remarkable quote, though I have not read this book. The idea that future is not guaranteed, therefore currently does not exist really emphasizes the need for us to soak in each and every moment of life we are living currently so as not to miss a single beat of joy, even during the not-so-wonderful times. This blog post has made my week and definitely has encouraged me to look at the fine details, smile at the difficulties, and truly enjoy this beautiful life we are all given!
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