Don't Take Me Seriously - Book - Page 222
The fine art
of ‘Take it to
the Limit’
T
he Eagles’ lyric, “Take
it to the limit one more
time,” from the song,
“Take it to the Limit” (surprise)
is pretty much the mission
statement many people live by.
And, by “many people,” I
mean me.
Now understand, I don’t
mean I take it over the limit. I mean I often take “it” just
far enough so that my toes are
hanging over the precipice,
and the beast that shall not be
named is opening its gigantic
maw below me … and then I
jump back and run away to live
another day, as the beast bellows in frustration.
This “to the limit” credo has
brought me an exciting and entertaining life, kept me semiemployed and occasionally
loved, and kept me out of prison
— if only just barely.
The salvaging savoir faire I
bring to self-created crises has
me smiling pleasantly to confuse people I have just insulted, buying a drink for the guy
who’s about to punch me, and
sticking my finger in the barrel of the gun when it’s pointed at me.
It’s all good fun, right?
Now, most of the time, I
don’t deliberately start trouble.
It’s just that being candid and
forthright often upsets people.
Take bosses, for instance … or
wives, girlfriends, siblings, offspring and folks who cut me off
in traffic.
People, I kid because I love.
In the larger sphere, my
Jim
WALKER
DON’T TAKE ME SERIOUSLY
choices of career, lifestyle and
“entertainment” keep things
lively, albeit one step away
from tragic. Optimistic are the
oblivious, I say, and I only hope
the protective force field the
Lord has provided me continues
to be effective.
Picture that recent video we
all saw on TV, where a polar
bear was trying to snatch a toddler through thick glass, and
you’ll have an idea of how I
roll. I mean, the kid didn’t even
know what was going on behind him … and so he was having a blast collecting lint or
something.
Now, you may also be a
person who passes through
life hanging, like a frightened
kitten, by one claw. It’s just
zestier that way, right?
And if you are, both you
and I can take solace in the
fact that greatness likes to
turn its attention toward impending train wrecks.
Good fortune, I believe,
gets bored rewarding talent,
hard work and dedication. It
likes a show. Fate favors the
frantic, I say. Like those bold
adventurers who rush in ill-
prepared but running zigzag
so as to avoid hot lead.
I mean, if you’re not pushing
the envelope, you might as well
be pushing up daisies, right?
Consider ….
Socrates: is regarded as one
of the greatest philosophers of
the Classical Era. Because of
his new ideas, in his own time
he was sentenced to death. But,
old Sock didn’t let this stop him
and kept right on, teaching up
until he was forced to poison
himself.
Well, OK, he took it past the
limit that time, but you get my
drift.
Vincent Van Gogh: During his lifetime, Van Gogh
sold only one painting. But
he plugged on with painting,
sometimes starving to complete his 800 known works. If
that ain’t taking it to the limit,
I don’t know what is. And, today, his paintings bring in hundreds of millions of dollars. Of
course, old Vinny did kill himself … so maybe not such a
great example.
And finally, consider Charlie Sheen. I mean, the teaser for his new TV show involves a train wreck. This
man takes it closer to the limit than anyone I can imagine and yet somehow turns it
to his advantage. And though
the guy is showing a bag full
of wear and tear, and is still
probably BS crazy, good fortune smiles on him yet again.
Doesn’t it?
Doesn’t it?
Hmmm. I’m sensing a pattern
here. Maybe you should forget I
even brought this subject up.
“You know I’ve always been
a dreamer
(spent my life running ’round)
And it’s so hard to change
(can’t seem to settle down)
But the dreams I’ve seen
lately
Keep on turning out and
burning out
And turning out the same
So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one
more time.”
— The Eagles
Comment at jwalker@thesignal.com or at http://Twitter.
com/DontSeriously.
