
I like to watch TV and movies, I’ll admit it. On some of my favorite shows there one character who I call the philosopher. This includes characters like Marjorie Armstrong (Mimi Kennedy) in the TV series Mom, Yoda in the movie Star Wars and Master Po in the TV series Kung Fu. It seems like everything they say is wise. After a while it wears thin on me. Here is a sample dialogue between such a character and another character—a little exaggerated perhaps. I’ll use Marjorie and Christy as an example. (My apologies to the writers of Mom.)
Christy: Marjorie, I’m going out to buy coffee. You want anything?
Marjorie: A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.
Christy: Yeah, that may be but I just going to the store which is three blocks away and I’m driving.
Marjorie: Well, I’ll miss you. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Christy: I’ll just be gone fifteen minutes at the most.
Marjorie: Don’t rush. Better late than never.
Christy: Would you rather I go tomorrow?
Marjorie: No. No. You go. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Christy: I asked you if you wanted anything. Do you?
Marjorie: No. You go. Life is a journey. Hold on and enjoy the ride
Christy: You know, sometimes you drive me crazy.
Marjorie: That okay. The clouds may come, and the tears may fall but hang on, my friend. The sun will come, and your smile will reappear.
Christy: Just once I’d like a straight answer.
See what I mean?