Monday, August 18, 2025
ESSAY - SORRY, YODA
BY DONOVAN BALDWIN
Often these days, people are praised for what they do. Not often enough, probably.
However, I tend to look around for people who try.
Everybody likes to quote Yoda (Star Wars) "Do. Or do not. There is no try."
Sorry, Mr. Yoda, sir, while that may work for a Jedi Knight, we mortals need a less demanding code for daily combat with the tax collector, the traffic meter, kids, age, and the unopenable jar lid (even by a Jedi Knight).
In fact "do" often only happens after many a "try", and, a goodly number of "fails".
Don't get me wrong. I LIKE Yoda, and his homey little aphorisms. They CAN be inspiring and thought-provoking.
However, just because something SOUNDS like it makes sense, doesn't mean it does.
No offense to the little green guy, and, he was a Jedi Master attempting to train his Padawan (Jedi apprentice), so he must have had something on the ball. I have to respect him and his 900 years of wisdom... which I doubt can be condensed into pithy little sayings, but, a noble "try" nonetheless.
Still, out of the mouths of babes, and little green Jedi's, can come pearls of wisdom. Often, in fact, it's not the pearls themselves, as much as the value we place on them, and what we wear them with, that makes them beautiful and valuable.
So, Master Yoda, though I may not "do", I WILL continue to "try".
Hope that suffices.
 |
| Jedi Master Yoda |
However, I tend to look around for people who try.
Everybody likes to quote Yoda (Star Wars) "Do. Or do not. There is no try."
Sorry, Mr. Yoda, sir, while that may work for a Jedi Knight, we mortals need a less demanding code for daily combat with the tax collector, the traffic meter, kids, age, and the unopenable jar lid (even by a Jedi Knight).
In fact "do" often only happens after many a "try", and, a goodly number of "fails".
Don't get me wrong. I LIKE Yoda, and his homey little aphorisms. They CAN be inspiring and thought-provoking.
However, just because something SOUNDS like it makes sense, doesn't mean it does.
No offense to the little green guy, and, he was a Jedi Master attempting to train his Padawan (Jedi apprentice), so he must have had something on the ball. I have to respect him and his 900 years of wisdom... which I doubt can be condensed into pithy little sayings, but, a noble "try" nonetheless.
Still, out of the mouths of babes, and little green Jedi's, can come pearls of wisdom. Often, in fact, it's not the pearls themselves, as much as the value we place on them, and what we wear them with, that makes them beautiful and valuable.
So, Master Yoda, though I may not "do", I WILL continue to "try".
Hope that suffices.
----------
Labels: donovan baldwin, essay, Jedi Knight, Yoda
Saturday, August 16, 2025
ESSAY - ONLINE INFLUNCER OF TREE-CLIMBING AND HAPPY MEMORIES
BY DONOVAN BALDWIN
Sometimes as I read through comments on social media sites, I start to feel bad. So many other people, influencers, are posting comments that offer deep and important thoughts on life, business, politics, religion, the economy... etc.
Here I sit, chatting about climbing trees and swimming in the bay as a boy.
I could get a feeling of value if I was an "entertainer", someone who could make people laugh and forget their troubles... or a Will Rogers kind of guy who poked humorous holes in the conceits of the rich, famous, and powerful.
Bothered me for a while.
Then, I came to realize something. Perhaps there was a niche, a need, for someone who thought the simple things were important enough to talk about, think about. Someone who thought that thoughts did not always have to start at the highest levels and tackle the toughest problems... answering the most burning questions... or even the simple little day-to-day ones.
So, that's who I am... old guy who still enjoys climbing trees (in his mind), walking the shore by the bay, feeling the wind, listening to the birds, and wondering what's for dinner.
I figure THAT'S important too... just being human... being A human.
Plenty of people taking on the tough questions, and plenty of entertainers... BUT, there's only ONE of me!
Here I sit, chatting about climbing trees and swimming in the bay as a boy.
I could get a feeling of value if I was an "entertainer", someone who could make people laugh and forget their troubles... or a Will Rogers kind of guy who poked humorous holes in the conceits of the rich, famous, and powerful.
Bothered me for a while.
Then, I came to realize something. Perhaps there was a niche, a need, for someone who thought the simple things were important enough to talk about, think about. Someone who thought that thoughts did not always have to start at the highest levels and tackle the toughest problems... answering the most burning questions... or even the simple little day-to-day ones.
So, that's who I am... old guy who still enjoys climbing trees (in his mind), walking the shore by the bay, feeling the wind, listening to the birds, and wondering what's for dinner.
I figure THAT'S important too... just being human... being A human.
Plenty of people taking on the tough questions, and plenty of entertainers... BUT, there's only ONE of me!
-----
