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"Es mejor pasar con audacia a ese otro mundo en la plena gloria de alguna pasión que desvanecerse y marchitarse tristemente con la edad"

James Joyce
James Joyce Novelist
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Quote meaning
The essence of this quote is about choosing to live life fully and passionately rather than letting the vibrancy of life fade away slowly as we grow older. It’s saying that it's better to take risks, follow your passions, and live boldly—even if it means facing the unknown—than to play it safe and let time dull your spirit.

This idea really comes alive when you think about those moments when you have to make a choice between playing it safe or going all in. Historically, this quote resonates with the Romantic era's emphasis on intense emotion and individualism. Writers and thinkers of that time, like James Joyce who wrote this in "The Dead", part of his collection "Dubliners", sought to break free from societal constraints and live life more authentically and passionately.

Imagine you’re at a crossroads in your career. You’ve got a stable job that pays the bills but doesn’t excite you. On the other hand, there’s an opportunity to start your own business doing something you’re passionate about. It’s risky, sure. You might fail. But think about the difference in how you’d feel taking that leap versus sticking with the same old routine.

Consider the story of a friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah. She was working in finance—great pay, a clear career path, but zero passion. Her eyes lit up when she talked about her true love: designing and making jewelry. She faced a tough decision. Stick with the safe job or dive headfirst into her jewelry business. Encouraged by this very idea, Sarah chose to follow her passion. Was it easy? No. But three years later, she’s running a successful online store and even got her pieces featured in a local boutique. She’s not just earning a living—she’s living her dream.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? First, identify what fires you up. What are you passionate about? Then, think about the risks involved in pursuing that passion. It doesn’t mean you should be reckless—plan it out. But don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from going after what you really want. Talk to people who have taken similar leaps. Learn from them. Start small if you need to, but start.

Picture this: You’re at a high school reunion. You look around and see people who took different paths. Some played it safe, took the secure route, and now, they seem a bit…well, faded. Others, like Sarah, took bold steps towards their passions. They’ve got stories to tell, their eyes sparkle with life. Isn’t that what you’d want for yourself?

Ultimately, the idea is to live with passion. It’s about not letting the fear of failure deter you from chasing what makes your heart race. Embrace the risk. Live boldly. Because in the end, it’s better to burn brightly for a while than to never have shone at all.
Related tags
Age Boldness Courage Glory Life choices Passion Vitality Youth
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