Business Quote by Lew Welch
““Living is made up of these little things - a day to day business punctuated with things seen, seen best when we weren't looking for them, or things that just happened to us while we were walking "dully along" and that we ought to notice these things. It is very easy to bandage the eyes and tell everyone that life is dull. But I am called odd by these people because I really don't think so. I try to make the day have a THING in it, and it usually does whether I try or not. And that makes the day. Period. But I am purposeless. I am talking of this far too seriously, but it rather hurts when I think that I was once very vulnerable to the charges that come my way. I have tried so damned hard to put a thing as simply as it appeared to me, and tried too damned hard not to let myself blow up a simple happening into a symbol of unrequited love but to leave it as it is. shit.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Beat Generation, 1960s, spoken word recording
The speaker reflects on noticing everyday moments, resisting the urge to over‑interpret them, and feeling purposeless despite trying to make each day meaningful.
In simple terms: Notice daily moments without over‑thinking; find meaning in simple things.
Observe, accept, and let moments be.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing sessions
- walking meditation
- journaling
- creative work
- therapy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What small moments do you overlook?
- How can you accept experiences without over‑symbolizing?
The desire to assign deep meaning may cause anxiety and self‑criticism.