Tuesday, April 3, 2012

C: Crazy

"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."


     The above quote has been attributed to Steve Jobs.  Perhaps he did write it himself or maybe one of his marketing staff wrote it.  For some reason, it has always appealed to me.  Of course, so do Apple products so go figure....
     That word "crazy" has always resonated with me. I checked it out in my New Oxford American Dictionary  (the world's most trusted dictionary - or so it tells me) and they tell me the following:
crazy:  
1.  mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way; extremely    annoyed or angry;  foolish
2.  extremely enthusiastic
3.  appearing absurdly out of place on in an unlikely position;  (archaic) of a ship or building:  full of cracks or flaws; unsound or shakey

    I like that word crazy.  I like that it has broader meanings than mental illness.  I can buy extremely enthusiastic.  Would that be like passionate? Even though I might hide my passions, they do drive me in ways that even I can't always see or understand. That would suggest that I might be "crazy".  I do imagine.  I do create.  I can stare at a piece of watercolor paper and see bold, LOUD art.  I am getting better and better at breaking the rules.  Perhaps that means I am getting crazier with age?
    I can buy appearing absurdly out of place - a misfit, yes - but who am I kidding?  I may be an internal misfit but clearly, to the world, I am stable, conventional (at least by this county's standards) and well within the range of "normal".  As much as I might buy the romantic notion of misfit, I am not brave enough to be one in the world.  I don't think I push the human race forward but I do hold it up, one child at a time.  And, in that way, I am crazy. But I am not crazy enough to think I might change the world.  No, that is a huge job.  I am not that crazy.  Damn!





13 comments:

  1. Crazy. Let me think about this one. OK, I'm done thinking. Guilty as charged. The determining factor, however, is now whether "we" are crazy or not, it's the degree to which we conform to the definition.

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  2. You are one crazy chick! But, I disagree - - you CAN change the world - - even if it's for just one person whose world you change :)

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    1. Sweet! I like your interpretation. I think maybe you are right. There are kids that I pay attention to who obviously relish that attention. No one else does.
      And, yes, it matters. Thanks for the reminder, Judy.

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  3. I'm with Judy on this one. I think Steve Jobs (or his staff) was talking to people exactly like you.

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    1. Funny how I needed you guys to point this out. His comment always struck me as something impossible to grasp for reals (for me, anyway). Thanks

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  4. After reading your post, I am struck by the thought that if each of us change only two people - ourselves and one other (i.e. just one of those children, JT!), that would pretty much take care of change in the world, wouldn't it? Count me in and save me a seat on the crazy wagon.

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    1. Good point, Sarah! ANd you bet! I will definitely save you a seat on the crazy wagon! How fun!

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  5. Hello,

    LOVE THIS!! What a great post! I think this is my new favorite blog! I will definitely be back to see what you dream up for the other letters, and to read more of your lovely writing. I am following now.

    I am doing the A to Z Challenge as well. Take a peek at my blog too if you get a chance! I am writing a travel blog:

    http://wordcut.blogspot.com

    best,
    MOV

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    1. Why , thank you, MOV! I checked out not one, not two, but all three of your blogs. Great stuff and you have gained another follower on all three! Can't wait to read more.

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  6. Very well said, Jt. You are you, and crazy or not, you are completely unique, and I love you the way you are. Keep writing, keep being crazy!

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    1. And I love YOU too, Mattie boy! Thank you always for your affection and encouragement! xoxoxoxo

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  7. Here's to all the kinds of crazy we are--in our hearts and out in the world!

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