What the hell …
Hey folks who want to live while you are alive,
I love the greeting cards that marry quotes and pictures. The latest one I bought showcases a woman wearing white heels sailing off the curb into a muddy, watery mess. You know her shoes will not survive this gooey “crossing” and she’ll be calf-deep in mud. Yet from the bounce in her step, I can tell she’s going to enjoy ruining those shoes. The following quote accompanied the picture, “Ever notice that ‘what the hell’ is always the right decision?” ~ Unknown Hollywood script writer.
From my own experiences, I’d have to agree with the script writer, sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind and just do it, whatever the it challenging you is. A few Sundays ago on our way home from a family gathering, Jimmy and I drove by one of those honky tonk carnival shows, the ones that breeze into town for four days and breeze out to someone else’s town. We saw the ferris wheel towering above the stores and he said, “want to stop in and take a spin?” (He knows I love ferris wheels and carousels. Am intrigued by the circles they make.)
“No, I need to get back and finish that newspaper column,” I heard myself use as an excuse. Then I thought, “It’s Sunday, I don’t have to do anything. Who is that bore speaking?”
“What the hell,” I said with a renewed sense of life vigor. “Let’s do it.”
And up in the wheel we went. Something refreshingly freeing about gliding up and down through the air. I felt invigorated yet peaceful when I got off.
How about you? Got any “what the hell” experiences you’d like to share?
Muse thx, Giulietta
RSS
What a great post and a great reminder that sometimes we really do need to let go and just live a little. We are always going to have responsibilities and things we need to take care of, but sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is live in the moment and really enjoy the experience that life is currently offering us. I actually do have a “what the hell” moment that comes to mind. This weekend I just returned from a very long vacation and should have gotten caught up and engrossed in my work e-mail on Sunday … but, it was beautiful outside and I decided to just chill out on the back porch and enjoy the experience that was being offered … “what the hell”. It felt great. Thanks for putting words to what we always need to do once in a while.
I’ve had many more “what the hell” moments of late as I am worrying less and less about what other people think. It’s almost as if I’ve made a conscious decision to just live life, here and now and just enjoy it for today! My life is so ruled by routine because of my physical circumstances. I miss being spontaneous. So, to everybody else out there live spontaneously, and have more “what the hell” moments just because… you CAN! Thank you for a lovely post!
Hi Sibyl,
Love what you say, “sometimes we really need to let go and live a little.” We drive ourselves too hard much of the time. Glad you skipped the email and enjoy the rest of your vacation on your lovely porch. How many lonely porches do you pass with no one taking advantage of them? Thx for stopping by! G.
Hi Tracy,
So happy to hear you are experiencing more WTH moments! Congrats. Yes, letting go of what others thinks is quite freeing. I agree “do it cause you can.” What are we all waiting for? Enjoy the day! G.
I have too many to count, and more WTH moments than not if possible. That’s a life choice I made and, while it’s working well for me, it might not work for everyone.
I couldn’t help thinking of that old Tom Cruise movie, Risky Business, and its slightly more profane version of this sentiment. That thought made me smile…
Thanks G., spot on as always.
Hey Michael,
Glad you’ve got so many WTH moments, you can’t count them all. Life itself is a risk. Many of us forget that in our-day-to day living.
Good movie! Miles gave Joel some good advice. Thx. G.
Yes! I appear to having a WTH month, Giulietta. I’m saying, WTH, I’ll be lazy and put off everything but the most pressing work, and just enjoy a book on the daybed, a dunk in the spa, a turn round the garden. I don’t know, this may turn out to last all summer. But what the hell!
Hi Patty,
Congrats on enjoying your summer! Sounds like a fine idea. The word lazy has taken on a bad rap, when it’s got many positive features.
Let’s all enjoy our summers
Here in New England, we take on a difficult winter to rejoice in spring/summer! Yet, we don’t alter our schedules much in summer to take advantage of it.
Maybe camp for all?
Thanks! G.
Hi-
Great post. I saw you over at Mark’s place and I thought I would stop by. So glad I did. :-)’
And oh yes, I have had many of those what the hell” moments. Especially now as I/we are facing my Mom’s health challenges and I wonder, “what the hell”. I feela change is coming.
Nice to meet you.
Love Gail
peace and hope…..
Hi Gail,
Always glad to have new folks stop by. Comments make the blogging world go round! I wish you luck with your Mom’s health care. Here’s to more WTH moments!
Thanks, G.
Hi G;
Love this post and this topic! A GREAT reminder to have more WTH moments myself. It really is the spice of life to throw caution to the wind and really LIVE it to the fullest. Too many people let fear or *shoulds* run their life instead, and never really live.
Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Glad it speaks to you Jess! We all need to live fuller! Longer is useless without fuller … Appreciate the comment. G.
Your story reminds me how this last weekend, I had to get some work done, but I also wanted to finish reading a book (a mystery thriller). Then I thought, WTH, from now on, weekends are for me and work is for weekdays. I remembered all those weekends and holidays when I was young that I spent working, and all for what? At this stage in life, I need to have more of a WTH attitude and just enjoy life.
Hi Penelope,
I’m with you on not wasting weekends doing anything but WTH activities. We all need to enjoy our short visit to Earth more!
Thx. G.
Isn’t it just fun to say what the hell? There’s something about the feeling that comes over you the moment you say it… it’s almost like a weight is lifted! Having kids has definitely taught me to say WTH more often. I wake up at 5am now, to have the quiet time I need to get some writing done… just so I can have more WTH time with my family.
Hi Angie,
You’re right! Just saying WTH liberates. Then rolling with the WTH give you another “let go” punch. Maybe we need a “What the Hell Day?” Note to self: organize WTHD. Thx G.
I’m in! 🙂
I just created one – I’m what the helling my way to taking the day off and not thinking about the one million things I have to do. YAY!!
Glad to hear it! Enjoy your day off what the helling it … G.
I’m always a fan of those little carnivals that come to town. They remind me of happy Summer days.
Hi J.D.,
Yes, memories of happy, carefree summer days. Can’t beat those.
I also love the colorful, honky tonk nature of carnivals. Most everything else has been beigified. G.
I think it usually takes a lot of courage to “What The Hell?” it, but it usually feels great.
Hey Connie,
It does feel great! Appreciate you stopping by. G.