Crazy Like Me

Charles Bukowski – “Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.”

The Bukowski quote points out the life paths of many people in my peer group growing up: nose to the grindstone, good marks in school, graduated high school, generally well-behaved, boring.

By the time I had whirlwinded my way through half the states, parts of Canada, and a hunk of the Caribbean, been shot at, and a bit more, they were expecting to graduate from college and join mom and dad at the brokerage house. Even more boring.

Then, I took a wrecking ball to my wild life and settled in for college and grad school. Those with whom I was still in contact told me it would never work out. That was because, for the most part, they thought that once set in life, you were set as in concrete—immutable.

Rather than squabble with them about it, I went my own way.

It’s the immutable bit I argue with. At many points in our lives, we all have the opportunity to take the loose alternative, experiment with our creativity, and take risks. I don’t think it matters if you do it at seventeen or seventy-four. What’s important is that you do it. Don’t accept the straitjacket.

I like another quote about craziness, but I can’t find it at the moment. It states that we all have just a small spark of craziness, and it’s a shame we don’t use it.

Go crazy. Don’t give in to immutable conformity. Remember, it’s your life.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

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