On 'Trying' vs. 'Doing'

Most people who use the word 'try' fail to do what they are 'trying' to do. That is why they use it -- as an 'excuse', a 'rationalization', a 'justification' -- for failing. (And I freely admit, I can be one of the worst offenders here.)

Either you want to do something badly enough -- that you just do it -- and no excuses are needed and/or relevant. Or you use the word 'try' -- and you set yourself up for failure. Call the word 'try' a self-fulfilling prophecy for expected failure.

Either you 'do'.

Or you 'don't'.

Everything else is irrelevant -- or at least background 'noise, smoke and mirrors' for what really is going on, for what really is or isn't going to happen.

Of course for some things, you need a willing partner. Or at least one who is willing to 'negotiate' with you.

But that is a different story -- one that we will now take to the American Politics section of Hegel's Hotel.

- dgb, October 28th, 2008.