So, like, FYI, Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet/mystic. Very popular within the yoga world. Go look him up on Wikipedia if you’re curious at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumi – good life story & collected works.
A particular Rumi quote has been showin’ up in the ether recently, put forth as inspirational by people I care about & respect. Here’s the passage:
“Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on, I’ll be mad.”
Nice sentiment. Great rhetoric. Have both given & received the essence of that speech. Very handy for inspiring oneself or others to conquer a challenge or get out of rut.
But, also, forgive me lovely yogis, kinda horseshit.
I have in fact lived where I feared to live. Have destroyed my reputation & the reputation of others. Been notorious. Told the world/The Man/ruling hierarchies to go eff themselves. Thrown off prudence & planning & all inhibitions & embraced my inner rebel & flake. Been mad in the sense of both totally pissed off & kinda off my nut.
And, really, all of the above are highly overrated.
The point of coloring outside the lines is to paint a new world for yourself. To rebel enough so that you create a life that you don’t need to rebel against. To motivate yourself to meaningful change. Cuz if you’re given a choice between being happy & being “mad,” choose happy. Really.
Rephrase: Live where you love to be. Cultivate a reputation you’re proud of. Be who you dream of being. Plan what needs planning & then let it go. From now on, live authentically & joyfully.
Okay, rant done. Marathon yoga day at Back Bay was awesome — 2 hrs teacher practice, then assisted class, then did 2 hr fun pop workshop. Good day. Can see improvement in that it hurt alot less this month than last month. 
