I remember watching Siskel & Ebert in my childhood living room. After a long session of studying, I turned on the television on late Sunday nights and caught their movie reviews. After learning about Mr. Ebert’s passing, I felt a sadness for a person I never met. I suspect it is because yet another staple of my past is gone. We are all victims of time’s clenched fist. The continuum of goodbyes always unsettles me. It magnifies how painfully I am aware of the passage of time. What we know now, experience in this moment takes flight almost as soon as it manifests. So how do we cope with this impermanence? I believe Mr. Ebert’s words offer some clarity on how to navigate the pendulum of happiness and sorrow.
“I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.”
Rest in peace, Roger Ebert.
What a perfect quote. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely. Thank you for sharing.
I love the quote, Rudri. I have been thinking about this a lot lately also. I’ve been wondering what efforts I have made to make my mother happy…I am aware that she is in the final stage of her life. Growing up I was one of those difficult-to-please daughters and I wonder how she had put up with me. And just half an hour ago I sent my son off on his after school activity in tears because I had scolded him in a way that wasn’t necessary. I felt so awful for having spoiled his return home from school. Tears are not necessary, and I shouldn’t have been the one to make him feel bad.
Important wisdom to live by, to bring joy to other people.