Relax, and put down your copy of Traditions and Encounters.
‘I always tell the girls: never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you’ll always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.’
- Penny Lane, Almost Famous
I think about this quote all the time. Especially when I’m to the point of developing an ulcer over my math homework or in tears over my chemistry (numbers just aren’t my thing). To be honest, I think it’s absolutely brilliant. In essence, the statement, said by the notoriously aloof Ms. Penny Lane, captures the mindset and attitude we all wish we had (or at least I do). Tranquility.
Yes, yes I’m sure most people would present the legitimate argument of the importance of staying on task, establishing goals, staying in school, etc. Needless to say, it is a smart choice in life, and by doing all of those things, one can most likely count on a bright future and successful career. And while those things are undoubtedly amongst the most important things in this day in age, most people tend to forget about the other things that are just as important: having fun, and staying happy.
I know, who better to be writing this than me, right? The biggest stress case in a 200 mile radius, I know, I know, but most recently I have come to the conclusion that the money and fame and power we all want and strive for in our lives can only get us so far.
Sure, you got into Berkeley, or Stanford, or any other one of those impossibly prestigious schools in the nation. And sure, you may have graduated top of your class with a 4.2 GPA, and sure you may be in a million clubs; and while all of that remains extremely important in today’s world, it is still just as important to have fun and make an ass of yourself sometimes. If all of the overachievers in the world laughed as much as they studied and/or worked, we would be light-years ahead of ourselves.
Once again, I know how much of a hypocrite I’m being as I write this (in that the majority of my life is sadly shaped around what colleges in the Pacific Northwest are looking for in their students), but I still value fun and good times just as much as I do school and my future.
Granted, sometimes I am little scared to break away from school and seriousness to go out with a group of friends and have the fun we always do (as pathetic as that fear does sound), but in the end, I always end up so much happier when I am out acting like a complete fool with some of the best friends I’ve ever met. And surprisingly after, it became a lot easier to finish the difficult math assignments and essays I had due the next week.
The bottom line is that it’s just as important to laugh and smile as it is to study. Think about the best grade you’ve ever gotten in the hardest class you’ve ever taken. A great moment, right? Now try to compare that with the hardest you’ve ever laughed with the best friend you’ve ever had. Two separate ‘funs’, yet one similar feeling: happiness.
So, just remember that sometimes you don’t have to take it seriously. If you don’t take it seriously, you won’t get hurt. If you won’t get hurt, you’ll have fun. And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.
Brilliant.
- Penny Lane, Almost Famous
I think about this quote all the time. Especially when I’m to the point of developing an ulcer over my math homework or in tears over my chemistry (numbers just aren’t my thing). To be honest, I think it’s absolutely brilliant. In essence, the statement, said by the notoriously aloof Ms. Penny Lane, captures the mindset and attitude we all wish we had (or at least I do). Tranquility.
Yes, yes I’m sure most people would present the legitimate argument of the importance of staying on task, establishing goals, staying in school, etc. Needless to say, it is a smart choice in life, and by doing all of those things, one can most likely count on a bright future and successful career. And while those things are undoubtedly amongst the most important things in this day in age, most people tend to forget about the other things that are just as important: having fun, and staying happy.
I know, who better to be writing this than me, right? The biggest stress case in a 200 mile radius, I know, I know, but most recently I have come to the conclusion that the money and fame and power we all want and strive for in our lives can only get us so far.
Sure, you got into Berkeley, or Stanford, or any other one of those impossibly prestigious schools in the nation. And sure, you may have graduated top of your class with a 4.2 GPA, and sure you may be in a million clubs; and while all of that remains extremely important in today’s world, it is still just as important to have fun and make an ass of yourself sometimes. If all of the overachievers in the world laughed as much as they studied and/or worked, we would be light-years ahead of ourselves.
Once again, I know how much of a hypocrite I’m being as I write this (in that the majority of my life is sadly shaped around what colleges in the Pacific Northwest are looking for in their students), but I still value fun and good times just as much as I do school and my future.
Granted, sometimes I am little scared to break away from school and seriousness to go out with a group of friends and have the fun we always do (as pathetic as that fear does sound), but in the end, I always end up so much happier when I am out acting like a complete fool with some of the best friends I’ve ever met. And surprisingly after, it became a lot easier to finish the difficult math assignments and essays I had due the next week.
The bottom line is that it’s just as important to laugh and smile as it is to study. Think about the best grade you’ve ever gotten in the hardest class you’ve ever taken. A great moment, right? Now try to compare that with the hardest you’ve ever laughed with the best friend you’ve ever had. Two separate ‘funs’, yet one similar feeling: happiness.
So, just remember that sometimes you don’t have to take it seriously. If you don’t take it seriously, you won’t get hurt. If you won’t get hurt, you’ll have fun. And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.
Brilliant.
THANK YOU
Best quote from the best
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