Mishmash & Thoughts

Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines

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According to Merriam-Webster the definition of mishmash is a confused mixture of things. It perfectly defines some of our lives right now. 

So what do I mean by life right now? Life is and always has been confusing. We learn as we go along, making mistakes and enjoying triumphs. We plan our journey, and do everything the way we think it should be, then…bam…some challenge gets thrown at us. The key to getting somewhere, go with the flow.

 

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I always thought I would be a performer, and I have been. I decided at fifteen I would work with criminals. Been there, done that. I’ve always written but didn’t think non-fiction would be in the picture. *OOPS* Teach me to think life didn’t have another idea.

The thing is, life really is a mishmash, but it isn’t such a bad thing. Instead, I prefer to think of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had in my life as gifts. If I hadn’t started spending weekends in the research section of the library, I’d have missed out on some great friendships. I also probably would never have found the women doctors, and written scholarly papers on such diverse subjects as ancient volcanos, film commissioners, and, of course, those Colorado women doctors.

 

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If my parents hadn’t encouraged me to take chances, to follow dreams, and not worry about how others viewed me, I wouldn’t have been an acting teacher, played music professionally, or been an actor. Because no one told me I couldn’t, I live a blessed life. 

I grew up about seventy miles from Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemens) home and lived right across the river from where his brother had a paper, where young Sam worked while living there. I grew up with his stories, his wit, and his wisdom. Below are some quotes that still resonate with me.

Hope you enjoy the mishmash.

You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.

 It is curious–curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare.

There are not enough morally brave men in stock. We are out of moral-courage material.

And my favorite:

Let us endeavor so to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.

Doris McCraw