“Don’t walk into a place like you wanna buy it. Walk in like you own it.”
– Matthew McConaughey (Greenlights)
I know that Matthew McConaughey is not for everyone, but if you can look beyond his movie appearances and on-screen personas, the man is a wonderful philosopher. Greenlights is a glimpse into the life of a man with a very interesting history and an even more interesting string of life choices. Even if you aren’t a fan of his movies, you should give his book a try.
He brings a very similar carefree seeming attitude to his delivery, but Greenlights actually ends up being among the deeper spiritual dives that a book has ever taken me on. Personally, I am a fan of his, so it wasn’t difficult for me to jump in, but I know that he can come off as quite a weirdo. Don’t be fooled. The man is a visionary and is committed to his craft.
One of the things I loved most about Greenlights was the direction it took. Rather than a self aggrandizing walk down memory lane or a shovel selling money grab on how to become an actor, it was a very personal sharing of philosophy and understanding. Sure, he talked about the good bits of his life. But he also didn’t hold a lot back when he talked about the bad parts.
Greenlights is a philosophy about good things, but it also doesn’t ignore the bad things. He wasn’t always one easy street and he stuck to his guns when it counted, even when it hurt. His general attitude is flexible in the kind of way that demonstrates that things don’t always go the way you want. So long as you stay who you are and stick to what you believe and have faith that its the right thing to do, things can work out. Sometimes, you just have to be patient and let them.
Journeyman's Legacy 