Quotations Weblog

This is one of those quotes that sound so good when you first read it. “Yes, Mr. Sandburg is right,” we say to ourselves, nodding seriously, “I should be careful how I spend my time.” It’s only when I’ve sat here looking at this “profound” quote for the last five minutes does it start to fall apart in my mind. I want to dig up Carl out of his grave and argue with him.

It’s true that I don’t want ESPN, CNN or MTV to decide how I’ll spend my coin of life, but I’m a lot more willing to let my friends spend it for me. Last week, Mike and I were in Las Vegas for a convention. We usually go to Las Vegas with Stacey and Dan, my sister and her husband, so this trip was strange to me. It’s so easy to let them decide what they want to see in the loud and bright town. When I have to choose for myself, I usually end up writing in my journal in the hotel room.

I am perfectly willing to let my dearest of friends choose how to spend my coin of life. Most of the fun for me is sharing experiences with them, both the good and the bad. I’m sure Carl Sandburg felt the same way, even though he didn’t make the exception in his famous quotation.