Sunday Inspiration -- James Bryant Conant

"Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out." 

James Bryant Conant

I have heard this quote before but did not know the author or who he was until today. James Bryant Conant was a chemistry professor, reform minded president of Harvard University, cold warrior, and at the end of his life educational reformer. What an amazing life. 

This quote is one of his better known statements. It was partly inspired by fights with Harvard faculty members who opposed reform. 

I started thinking of it today as I started my 10th day of getting back in shape in 2016. 10 days in you realize why New Years resolutions fail all the time. I started to realize how far I have to go. I have stuck my neck out though and I got on the treadmill and I got a very slow 5 miles in. 

The thing about sticking your neck out is, it is the only way you make progress but there is risk. You can quickly get your head smacked by those that disagree with you or criticize you or you fail. 

And so the second reason I was moved by this quote today is because of the reaction to Sean Penn's piece in Rolling Stone on his secret meeting with Drug Kingpin "El Chapo". Penn has been criticized severely for a whole bunch of reasons online. Below is one interchange just about his writing style. 

I have to say I am amused by some of this but here is why Sean Penn should be admired. He was not afraid to stick his neck out, travel secretly to Mexico, meet with arguably the most wanted and dangerous man in the world -and write a piece about it. For that, he should be admired. 

Lastly, I read a wonderful piece on the blog Brainpickings about conversation that choreographer Martha Graham had with choreographer Agnes Demille (at the time Demille had just finished Oklahoma). 

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. As for you, Agnes, you have so far used about one-third of your talent.”

We could all use such encouragement! Advice for today: don't block your life force and stick your neck out once and a while like the turtle!