“Life would be unbearably dull if we had answers to all our questions.”

―Jim Butcher, Death Masks

 As I was browsing Goodreads for this week’s quote (sorry if that spoils the fantasy some of you may have had of me sitting in an easy chair, thumbing through physical books each Thursday night for the quote of the week), I stopped on this one because it made me think of a couple valuable lessons. 

       (Also, I’ve been continuing my read through of the Dresden Files, so it caught my eye (I’m listening to Cold Days, Book 14 in the series). If you’ve never listened to the Dresden audiobooks, do yourself a favor and go download Storm Front (Dresden Files #1)now. They’re narrated by James Marsters (who played Spike in the Buffy TV show), and he is excellent. Right up there with Tim Curry and the husband-wife duo of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.)

        Anyway, back to the quote. First, I think we all sometimes get too preoccupied with answers: 

• I’m not sure I know how, so I just won’t try. 
• Why did he do that? 
• What will happen if I make this change? 

        The search for answers can become paralyzing, and the fact is, sometimes an answer isn’t readily available. Or, there isn’t just one answer. Should you change your job? There are pros and cons. Is it wise to tackle a new project at work even though you aren’t sure you can do it? It’s a risk, but you could impress your boss. Why did that guy snap at you yesterday? Maybe his mom just died. Or maybe he’s just an asshole. 

        I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t think critically and weigh what we know, but we must also accept that there will always be more information to gather, always more time to think. Consider carefully, then act with conviction. Will things always go right? Of course not. But a life of action is better than a life of regretting your inaction. 

        A related thing this made me think of is the news. Ugh. There’s a lot of bad that goes on in the world, and the news shoves it into our faces because it’s the ugly and shocking that sells papers (or online advertisements), not the pleasant and heart-warming. 

        I know people who agonize over all the tragic headlines. But ask yourself–how much value do you actually get from the news you consume? There’s little you can do about most of it, and for the truly evil things that are so often reported, there’s no use obsessing over how someone could do such a thing because there’s often no good answer (see above).

        Now, I don’t advocate ignoring the news completely. But as with most things, it’s best consumed in moderation. Read the headlines, scan a few articles if you must, but when your blood pressure begins to rise, put down the paper or your smart phone and go read a novel instead. It will make both you and authors everywhere happier.

Note to readers: Each week (or, most weeks, anyway), I share an inspiring quote from a fantasy book or author and wax poetic about it, indulging my inner philosopher. If you have a favorite fantasy quote, email it to me and I may share it in a future newsletter: dtkane@dtkane.com.