I wrote my first stream of consciousness post with no planning other than randomly choosing the Rocky quote I had used as a springboard for ideas. Today, for my Freedom Friday series, I’d like to try my hand on an additional post armed with nothing but a quote and no idea what will come out.
Again, to reiterate a couple of things from my first post, I write about zombies. It doesn’t mean I am a zombie nor does it mean I’m obsessed with death, although in the movie I’d taken the quote from, the main protagonist is. I enjoy life and living as abundant as I can without interfering with other people’s happiness. It sounds insane but it’s true. Also, the way stream of consciousness works is whatever comes to mind is what stays on the page. No editing. It’s a snapshot of my brain.
Now, I’ve been meaning to use this quote for a while. The opportunity, though, has never presented itself. It’s from the 1971 movie Harold and Maude about the relationship between a teenage boy obsessed with death and a septuagenarian woman living life to the fullest.
Anyway, I don’t want to say anymore. Here is the quote:
Harold and Maude
“A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They’re just backing away from life. Reach out. Take a chance. Get hurt, even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room.”
—Ruth Gordon as Maude in Harold and Maude
Big breath. Here we go:
Lions roar not to defend their territory or because they’re hungry, but to say, “I’m alive!” Their heart beats. Their hide is warm. Every single cell at their disposal goes into that roar. “I’m alive!”
We live each day thinking we have all the time in the world, not realizing that one day we’ll be gone. Our grievances hold us back. Our doubts shroud us in darkness. Yet, it’s never too late to press onward and upward.
I’ve failed. So what, everyone’s failed. I’m afraid. So what, everyone’s afraid. I can’t. Everyone can.
Whatever is holding us back, we have to let it go. If we don’t, we’ll die—eaten away by our own miserable wants.
No one ever said life was easy. It’s not. Life is hard. Life is disappointing. We could have all the money and success in the world, yet without happiness it’s all for naught. If someone says to us they’re happy because of such-and-such or so-and-so, don’t believe them. They are lying. Happiness does not come from without, but from within. Success is a byproduct of happiness.
Glory comes to those who don’t look for it. Beauty surrounds those who are the outcasts. Joy lives in those who have dedicated their lives to the weak.
Allow your words to travel as a whirlwind into the ears of the deaf. As lightening cracks, so let your life shine to those in darkness. As thunder rumbles, move others to action. Live each day with conviction, giving life to those who are dead in spirit. Let the earth shake beneath your feet causing others to stir from their seats.
Roar like a lion. “I’m alive!”
Did my stream of consciousness session make any sense? Should I think about preparing a number III?
Jack Flacco is an author and the founder of Looking to God Ministries, an organization dedicated to spreading the Word of God through outreach programs, literature and preaching.
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23 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness II”
Love Love LOVE Harold and Maude! Want to grow up to be Maude. 😀
Great wisdom here, “Whatever is holding us back, we have to let it go. If we don’t, we’ll die—eaten away by our own miserable wants.” Love the paragraphs that follow, as well! Thanks for sharing. Your stream of consciousness works. Yes, absolutely do another!
Reblogged this on Rainbowsprout and commented:
Inspiration Day 10: Stream of Consciousness
I read this post by the wonderful Jack Flacco and got so inspired by it that it had to be shown on here! Enjoy.
I love that movie :). And your stream of consciousness is certainly inspiring. By all means, go for a third. Your advice is classic good stuff but not always easy to follow. There’s fear/apprehension for a reason, but then all the more reason to try, right?
Makes great sense! I absolutely love this line: “Success is a byproduct of happiness.” (and most of the other lines too). Stream of Consciousness sounds like a very intriguing exercise. I’d like to see more.
Wow that’s really inspiring. Would you mind if I reblogged this post? To fit in with my ‘daily inspiration’? I’ve never reblogged anything before so I hope that this is possible. I think you should write a Stream of Consiousness III
“Happiness does not come from without, but from within.” Love this. I have a quote like this hanging in my living room to remind me that everything changes when we change. For example, contentment transforms exhausting responsibilities into unique privileges. Love takes a tedious relationship and turns it into an opportunity to become more understanding and compassionate. Those who live well see beauty everywhere, find opportunity in defeat, and seize joy in any circumstance. We do not breathe for the sake of breath itself, but because it is proof that we live. By it we cry and yell and sing and whisper and dream and change and roar.
Funny how these little sayings pop into our conversation whenever we’re rattling off words without thinking. I had to google that line to see where I’d gotten it because I certainly didn’t believe it was mine. It’s true that once contentment takes over a new attitude permeates within our souls. Drudgery doesn’t seem so bad. Awful situations seem to wax cold. And what once appeared difficult to accomplish, getting there seems easier.
Quite poetic sir, and really well written. Your argument makes perfect sense, except for the one part that, in my opinion doesn’t, I mean, beauty surrounds those who are the outcasts? I wish that were so. Apart from that, your words are foolproof. Nobody could ever claim you are not a positive individual. 😀
Thanks! Ah, the joys of stream of consciousness. I had promised I wouldn’t edit it. When I thought about it, I looked at what beauty is and realized that whole cliché “beauty is in the eyes of the behold” held true for that instant in time. 🙂
Looking to God 
Love Love LOVE Harold and Maude! Want to grow up to be Maude. 😀
Wow, this was wonderful. Had a writing teacher once who told us to write off the top of our heads as fast as we could. Good stuff came out.
awesome, loved this one.
🙂
Great wisdom here, “Whatever is holding us back, we have to let it go. If we don’t, we’ll die—eaten away by our own miserable wants.” Love the paragraphs that follow, as well! Thanks for sharing. Your stream of consciousness works. Yes, absolutely do another!
Reblogged this on Rainbowsprout and commented:
Inspiration Day 10: Stream of Consciousness
I read this post by the wonderful Jack Flacco and got so inspired by it that it had to be shown on here! Enjoy.
Wow! Thank you so much for the reblog and the wonderful comments. I really appreciate it!
No worries Jack!
I love that movie :). And your stream of consciousness is certainly inspiring. By all means, go for a third. Your advice is classic good stuff but not always easy to follow. There’s fear/apprehension for a reason, but then all the more reason to try, right?
Great post… now I’ll dig out the movie!
Makes great sense! I absolutely love this line: “Success is a byproduct of happiness.” (and most of the other lines too). Stream of Consciousness sounds like a very intriguing exercise. I’d like to see more.
Wow that’s really inspiring. Would you mind if I reblogged this post? To fit in with my ‘daily inspiration’? I’ve never reblogged anything before so I hope that this is possible. I think you should write a Stream of Consiousness III
Yeah, sure, go ahead and reblog! I write these posts so others could share them with their friends. And if it’s inspired you, my job is done!
Thanks :). Yes I think you achieved your goal!
It made a wonderful, beautiful sense, Jack. Keep them coming! Plus, I love that movie! Quirky, lovely and ever so slightly bittersweet.
It made sense; great and inspiring writing. I’d love to see another one.
“Happiness does not come from without, but from within.” Love this. I have a quote like this hanging in my living room to remind me that everything changes when we change. For example, contentment transforms exhausting responsibilities into unique privileges. Love takes a tedious relationship and turns it into an opportunity to become more understanding and compassionate. Those who live well see beauty everywhere, find opportunity in defeat, and seize joy in any circumstance. We do not breathe for the sake of breath itself, but because it is proof that we live. By it we cry and yell and sing and whisper and dream and change and roar.
Beautiful. Again, again!!
Funny how these little sayings pop into our conversation whenever we’re rattling off words without thinking. I had to google that line to see where I’d gotten it because I certainly didn’t believe it was mine. It’s true that once contentment takes over a new attitude permeates within our souls. Drudgery doesn’t seem so bad. Awful situations seem to wax cold. And what once appeared difficult to accomplish, getting there seems easier.
Oh, my…thank you for liking this, Kaela! 🙂
Wow, great roaring motivation!
Do it. I love these posts!
One of my favourite movies!!!!!!!!!
Quite poetic sir, and really well written. Your argument makes perfect sense, except for the one part that, in my opinion doesn’t, I mean, beauty surrounds those who are the outcasts? I wish that were so. Apart from that, your words are foolproof. Nobody could ever claim you are not a positive individual. 😀
Thanks! Ah, the joys of stream of consciousness. I had promised I wouldn’t edit it. When I thought about it, I looked at what beauty is and realized that whole cliché “beauty is in the eyes of the behold” held true for that instant in time. 🙂
I think it’s great!