Two Worlds
A couple of weeks ago I wrote to you about differing perceptions of time, Chaotic, Linear, and Cyclical, and closed by saying, “There is a fourth perception of time that's shared by all of us; the time of the mind, imaginary time, moving forward and backward in memory. But this I will leave for another day.”
This is that other day.
There is one world that we share with the animals and another that is ours alone. As Oscar Wilde once explained to the French novelist, André Gide, “There are just two worlds: the one that exists without one ever speaking of it, called the real world… the other is the world of art: one must talk of that, for without such talk, it would not exist.”
I live my life as you live yours, with one foot in each of these worlds. And like you, I shift my weight back and forth constantly to keep my life in balance. Today I'm shifting my weight away from the real world of business to that infinite world of imagination, art. Will you go with me?
My thoughts began wandering this misty path while watching an episode of Inside the Actor's Studio, which closes with James Lipton asking his celebrity guest a series of questions:
- What is your favorite word?
- What is your least favorite word?
- What turns you on?
- What turns you off?
- What is your favorite curse word?
- What sound or noise do you love?
- What sound or noise do you hate?
- What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
- What profession would you not like to do?
- If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Friend, if you are willing, I would like to hear your answers to those questions. Will you put them in an email to me? In return for your answers, I will email you mine. I believe this exercise has merit. The question that caused me to begin pondering this 'two worlds' theory was number 7, “What sound or noise do you hate?” I believe my answer may surprise you.
Exactly half my readers want to read practical, useful business tips in these Monday Morning Memos; the other half wants to hear more people stories. I do my best to keep both halves happy.
Be happy. And email me your answers. Next week I promise to give you some advice that will help your business grow.
Roy H. Williams