Friday, March 9, 2012

Quotes and Cookies: Jump off Cliffs


"We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down."

~Kurt Vonnegut

I think I love this quote because the concept of jumping off cliffs fascinates me.

Or maybe it's the leap of faith it takes to believe that if you take such a huge risk, you'll develop those wings on the way down.

Or maybe it's the wing-developing itself. That we have it in us to develop those wings... we just have to be willing to do the work.

Or maybe it's because I feel like I've been jumping off cliffs lately, and it's a comforting thought to know that I can get wings, because I REALLY don't want to splat across the rocks at the bottom.

Or maybe it's because there are these other cliffs that I'm standing at the top of, looking down at the ground so very, very far away, and I'm still a little scared to jump.

Or, you know, maybe it's just because the concept of jumping off cliffs fascinates me.

And do these cookies! Mmmm. I think I may have to forget cliff-diving for a bit and go make some of these.

Photo Credit

Happy cliff-diving!

45 comments:

Delia said...

I'm with you on the wings thing. Right now I feel like Heimlich in A Bug's Life. The wings are there, but they're not enough yet to lift big old me. Working on it. Great quote! And, dear lord but those cookies look good.

Mara Rae said...

Love Vonnegut! And I used to have dreams as a kid that I had wings, but the only way to make them work was to go running off a cliff. There's a metaphor in there somewhere...

Connie B. Dowell said...

Nice metaphor! Though, personally, I'd like to grow some wings and use them to get those cookies. :)

Kelley Lynn said...

Great quote.

I've done cliff jumping before. Real cliff jumping...

course there was water and not rocks at the bottom :) haha

Have a great weekend!

Tonja said...

I think the jumping is great, but the landing is difficult. Developing wings is a great metaphor.

BECKY said...

You won't believe this, Peggy, but I was planning a post for today about taking a "leap of faith!" Guess I'll have to wait a few days...don't want to look like a copy-cat! AND those cookies??? We really need Scratch 'n Sniff blogs!

Michael Horvath said...

The funny thing is that sometimes I end up hitting the ground which isn't bad either because I can always bounce back.

Jaime Morrow said...

Great quote and those cookies are staring me in the face, taunting me (they're enormous on my screen) :)

Z said...

Just jump. Who knows--maybe the cliff is an illusion, and you'll find yourself in an enormous kitchen designed specifically for baking cookies!

Anonymous said...

yes I suppose jumping off cliffs also suggests taking a few risks in life. Love the look of those cookies.
Starving hungry now!

Jennie Bennett said...

ummmm fudge... That's a great quote. I was just thinking today about all the people I know who are working to live their dreams and how much stronger they seem then those who stand on the edge of the cliff but never jump.

We really are stronger by taking that leap. (and for some reason that quote makes me want to read Maximum Ride again lol!)

Tara Tyler said...

sorry about the saliva...

you should go to hawaii, those cliff divers are incredible!
takes a ton of guts!

have a beautiful weekend!

Kristine said...

Wow, that quote fits in so many areas of my life. Thanks for sharing! Now, I must go make cookies. My waistline hates you every Friday. My tastebuds on the other hand, want to marry you.

Angela Brown said...

I literally had to stop myself from drooling when I saw that chocolately goodness on my screen. It made me long for some Matrix-like device so I could plug in and chow down on a dozen or three, after which I'd lie down and die happy.

But about that jumping. Scary business. My mind immediately went to that moment of being at the edge, looking down, knowing that it only took one step, one move, one breeze to change things forever. To have that faith, to believe those wings will form on the way down is just fascinating, and yet we do it.

Here's to developing those wings :-)

Emily R. King said...

I'll figuratively jump off cliffs any day. For real...I don't think so. I'll have to get over my fear of heights first. : )

Christina Lee said...

LOVE.THIS. I'm looking down there will you. *takes a bite of the cookie*

Taffy said...

I'm nervous and excited for your cliff jumping. And want to hear about ALL of it.

Angela Cothran said...

I couldn't jump for real. I think I would pass out from fear, forget to grow wings, and break my neck. I'll stick to figurative jumping.

Chantele Sedgwick said...

I couldn't jump for real either. I've felt the same way as you for a few weeks. As long as we have wings, we'll be okay, right? :)

Those cookies look delicious...

Jessie Humphries said...

You have beautiful wings, Peggy! You don't need to worry about any cliffs when you are so good at flying:)

M Pax said...

Grow big wings. I love Kurt Vonnegut. I stood behind him in line once.

Alexis Bass said...

I would so go cliff diving if those cookies were waiting for me at the bottom. YUM!

Carrie Butler said...

Those cliffs are pretty daunting. Sometimes we just need a little push. ;)

Hope Roberson said...

I'm with Alexis, I'd jump off any cliff if I could have those cookies :)

Lan said...

I'm a terrible cliff jumper. I prefer to look over the edge from a safe distance and imagine myself jumping rather than actually doing it. I really need to work on getting my wings!

Talei said...

I'm diving into that plate of cookies!! Yum! Hope all is well, I've been on a little blogging break but am back now. x

Anonymous said...

I must say, I'm somewhat of a cookie aficionado, and those cookies make me want to jump without restraint! Whoa!

TerryLynnJohnson said...

sounds like you're working on edits. :)

Lynn(e) Schmidt said...

I like this quote because I love Kurt. Also because of what it says. At AWP someone said, "To write fearlessly is to know that fear is present, but to push passed it". So, go into the world, jump off cliffs, write fearlessly :)

Unknown said...

I read this quote and immediately thought 'maybe this could mean that if you don't do something that needs those wings, you won't grow them'. Just like in writing you won't improve without doing it, maybe you won't grow wings until you jump off that cliff.

Just my random thought for the day. Now for some cliff jumping.

MyTricksterGod said...

One other thing to dote upon: Sometimes, if you can't jump... there's nothing wrong with getting pushed off the cliff sometimes.
Pass all the medical bills and lawyer fees, it makes you a better person in the end.

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

Sometimes I'd like to just be able to sit on the edge and dangle my feet over but not have to leap! God, those cookies look good.

Anonymous said...

Great quote... and very valid, though it's a scary thought.

If I'm not mistaken are there reese's cups in the cookies... yum.

Elodie said...

And as always...you´re spot on! :D
This quote is so true and so scary at the same time.
While I contemplate the jump, can you pass me a cookie :D Thanks Peggy!

Sarah Tokeley said...

I'd love to jump into those cookies. Does that count?

Linda King said...

I love the concept of wing-developing! There's an award for you on my blog. Don't get too excited, though - you've probably had it before!

Lydia Kang said...

Cliff? What cliff?
*nom nom* *grabs another cookie*

David P. King said...

The idea of cliff jumping freaks me out. Both the point-of-no-return kind and the one with a parachute or special wing suits I've seen lately.

I think I'll take a cookie! :)

Denise Baer said...

Those cookies look fabulous. I gave up sweets for lent, but I'm sure a virtual cookie doesn't count. I'll take one. :)

Janet Johnson said...

Oh, thank heavens on eating cookies again!

I love that quote, too. I've just taken a leap and am halfway down the cliff. Hurry up wings! I need you!

jabblog said...

It's easy to stay in one's comfort zone but so many opportunities could be missed that way. Buy a parachute;-)

Susan Kane said...

I am so hungry for cookies just now. This photo sealed my doom. I shall have to find that cliff.

Golden Eagle said...

The concept of jumping off fascinates me, too. Even if it is a bit of a scary idea.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Peggy, what a neat blog you have! I am visiting from over at Becky's house.

Love the quote too.

Kathy M.

Health is Wealth said...

I really enjoy your quote. Thanks for sharing!!!