💬 “Treat a work of art like a prince: let it speak to you first.” -Arthur Schopenhauer

HOW A BOOK ABOUT BASEBALL INSPIRES US TO FOLLOW OUR PASSIONS

A few days ago, I finished reading Shoeless Joe, the book that inspired the film, Field of Dreams. Here are some deeper thoughts on a film and book that have helped to shape my world view:

As a baseball fan, Field of Dreams is at the top of my list for baseball films that showcase the love of the game. It goes without saying then that I would eventually find my way to the novel that inspired the film.

Shoeless Joe is different from the film in many ways, but at its core it is about a man who is called to follow his passion. And that has always been what has resonated with me. We can go through life just biding time, or we can choose to take risks and build baseball fields in Iowa cornfields. I hope to be like Ray and to watch others come follow their passions with me.

I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes from the book:

“I wish I had your passion for baseball,” Salinger says. “However misdirected it may be, it is still a passion. If I had my life to live over again, I’d take more chances. I’d want more passion in my life. Less fear and more passion, more risk. Even if you fail, you’ve still taken a risk.”

Been utilizing Readwise more and more. It unearthed a fantastic quote from Man’s Search for Meaning, that I had to share. Highly recommend this book.