Hop On The Bus, Gus! December 1, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Happiness, Humor, People.trackback
J.K. Rowling gave a commencement speech at Harvard one year.
In that speech she said, “You will never truly know yourself or the strength of your relationships until both have been tested by adversity.”
I agree with her . . . and with Oprah.
“Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
Aah . . . that’s better!
Island Trolley by Barbara Hines ~ Anna Maria Island Art
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Spirit Lights The Way 
“Sincerity is everything, if you can fake that you’ve got it made.”
So you think we should practice ladling out condescending claptrap and pretentious bullshit until it echoes like “sweet nothings” in listeners’ ears?
And then what? Run for President?
Whilst I blame George Burns for the evident irony fail, the non-ironic point is that both Rowling and Winfrey are referencing sincerity in relationship. Or have I misunderstood?
I don’t think you missed the mark entirely, but perhaps both cast a wider net?
Rowling’s quote might encompass a couple whose marriage disintegrates due to the loss of a child, especially if one blames the other for the child’s death.
And Oprah may be warning us against those who have a phobia about riding on public transport. 😛
That said, Burns’ irony didn’t escape me. Words are easily manipulated. People often pretend to be something they are not, especially in cyber-space. And politics.
Here’s to steering clear of obsequious sycophants who are prone to offering up fake and phony compliments.
I like this! Someone who wants to be around in the hard times is such a blessing! I hope to be that person!
Everyone should be fortunate enough to have one or two stalwarts in their camp!
I’m fortunate to have a couple of people in my life who would ride the bus with me, Nancy. And I would do the same for them. That is a true blessing.
It’s great to journey through life accompanied by “real friends” who remain with us through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer.
Love this, Nancy. It’s very true. 😃
I expect we are happiest when when we extend loving kindness and compassion towards others . . . and surround ourselves with those of like nature. Namaste.
Oh yes!😘
Or someone to walk beside you, when there is no transportation.
True dat! Some do more than survive, they thrive ~ even in the midst of uncertainty.
Sad but true. And I would definitely be that person to ride in Oprah’s limo.
Go for it! Any activity that connects us with the bottomless well of peace within adds joy to life. That said, the trolley ride looks like way more FUN than riding in the back of a sterile limo. 😎
Wise women, those two. I’ve been struggling with a friend who has not been there for me lately and would NOT be on that bus with me. I am trying to take the approach that it probably has more to do with her and what she is going through than about me, but I miss what we had!
Some people are with us for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime. And we don’t always get to choose “who’s who” (since our expectation of continued friendship doesn’t give rise to a corresponding obligation on their part).
It’s tough when we miss them and they don’t appear to miss us.
I leave the door open a crack . . . just in case.
How true JK’s words are.
Yes! Sometimes adversity results in a parting of ways because Party A decides to accept the “what is” and “go with the flow” while Party B collapses into a pool of tears and becomes a perpetual victim of happenstance.
There’s nothing like pulling together in the hard times to strengthen a relationship. Been there!
Agreed. Into every life some rain must fall . . . it’s wonderful when we have someone to help hold the umbrella.
Totally agree. I’d add a favorite Maya Angelou quote, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
Yes!!! When we pay attention, it’s easy to see who they are behind their masks . . . especially when said masks slip.
Facing reality means facing the tough times in life. Its good to have authentic real people around 😊
Agreed. Especially if they are “resilient” enough to bounce back from tough times without collapsing into a pool of tears or sporting a perpetual chip on their shoulders.
They sound like the peeps I like to hang around with too!
Yay!
Rowling’s quote is so true! About in my 50’s I started to live by Maya Angelou’s quote mentioned by NancyTex. I left the door open Nancy and have found a dear friend from third grade. We lived with another gal in college in a basement apartment. I think we would both be there for each other… we are right now!
Love the AMI art!
That’s excellent, Pix. And Maya’s quote is spot on.
I usually trust my gut these days ~> life’s too short to be around toxic petty people or toadies.
The true measure of relationships lies in these quotes, Nancy. No wonder some people who ‘make it big’ lose faith in humanity when they lose it all and there is no one left to hold that umbrella. Rainy day friends are the the best 😀
Yes! To Rainy Day Friends . . . with ponchos in their pockets!
I think both quotes are applicable in life. During tough times we do find out who our real friends are. It’s easy to be a friend when everything is going well 🙂
Yes. Tough times can make or break relationships. But maybe that’s as it should be . . . otherwise we’d have too many people competing for our attention and we’d never get anything done.
Hope you’ve found good support around you this year, Janna.
My wife and I must have a great relationship because we’ve been tested for years by our arch-enemy: our empty bank balance.
Hence donning the boxer shorts with the too loose elastic! And just look where that led you . . . to another fun and funny post.
Thank you! 🙂 I know it’s such a cliche, but it turns out to be true that money really isn’t everything.
Agreed. Money is not nothing . . . but it is not everything. Some of the best things in life are FREE.
Two great quotes.
Here’s to finding the right kind of travel companions on our journey through life.
When riding in limos you have been
Hoping to be in limo seen!
I’m just hoping the bar is well stocked! 😎
I once travelled in a stretch limo. It was a surprise for Elly on the day of her University graduation from a friend. Yes we did have Champagne on board. It was impossible to climb in or out elegantly as I needed to almost bend double to do so… been there, done that and now happy to take the bus!
Getting in and out of a limo can be a bit of a S~T~R~E~T~C~H!
It sure can.
I agree! I’ve seen too many examples of this…limo certainly is popular, metaphorically speaking, bus is not.
Limos are designed for folks who want to be SEEN.
And buses are great for folks who want to SEE the scenery.
Good one Nancy! And it makes sense.
Truer words…you don’t need a lot of friends, you need “true” ones prepared to go the distance with you!
Yes! We travel best when we travel light ~ without “hangers on” acting as anvils or impeding our progress.