Whether you're a huge fan of his standup or you know him from his little roles in things like "Parks and Recreation," you know that Louis CK is two things: hilarious, and unafraid to speak his mind. He is known for his blunt humor and sarcastic attitude towards a life that he often paints as less than perfect. In other words, he's just a normal, relatable guy who really knows how to make people laugh. In the midst of all his inappropriate story-telling and side-splitting musings, though, I realized how much truth he really was speaking. He tackles touchy topics that others are afraid to in an awesome way, and he does not give a damn about hurting anyone's feelings when he does. So, from the man himself, here are some great words of wisdom that we should all keep in mind.
1. On competing with or comparing yourself to others:
"Listen, the only time you should look in your neighbor's bowl is to make sure that they have enough. You don't look in your neighbor's bowl to see if you have...as much as them."
Basically, nothing in life is a competition. We're all in this thing together and you shouldn't spend your life constantly trying to get ahead of those around you. It's a lot simpler to focus on yourself and help others when they can't help themselves.
2. On boredom:
"‘I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. You live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly. Do you understand? Being the fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to be bored"
In a generation that relies so heavily on being entertained 100% of the time by their TV's, phones, and computers, we often forget how great the world around us really is. Take some time to just sit and think and get creative. Pretty much as long as you're alive, you'll always have your brain to beat your boredom.
3. On what other people think of you:
"I don't care."
Okay, this one is pretty self-explanatory, but too many of us care so much what everyone thinks of our every move. We have to wear the right clothes, be the right weight, eat the right things, everything is based on what others will think of us. Sometimes, you just kind of have to accept yourself and not care anymore.
4. On technology:
"Don't text or Twitter during the show. Just live your life. Don't keep telling people what you're doing."
Another dig at today's reliance on technology, but it really rings true. We have forgotten how to just enjoy something and we're constantly living through a screen as we try to tweet, text, and snapchat every single thing that we do.
5. On women dating:
"But women still go out with men! 'Yeah I'll go out with you, alone, at night'. What are you nuts? 'Hi, where are we going?' To your death, statistically.
Even Louis CK realizes how ridiculous it is that women are in so much danger when they do something normal, like go on a date with a man. Yes, we need to be careful, but maybe it would be even safer if men didn't statistically attack us so much...food for thought.
6. On accepting that you messed up:
"When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don't get to decide that you didn't."
We all get hurt sometimes and, more likely than not, we've hurt others along the way. That's not something you want to admit, but you can't deny the pain that you caused another person, that's just messed up. If you do hurt someone, then accept that and make sure you don't hurt anyone else the same way.
7. On basic people skills:
"Life's too short to be an a**hole."
This works for both the workplace and outside it- just be a nice person. It makes everything better and easier in the long run, and honestly may help you get the same in return. Being nice is the easiest thing someone can do and it will honestly just make you feel better.
8. On the big picture:
“It’s not your life, it’s life. Life is bigger than you. Life isn’t something that you possess, it’s something that you take part in and witness.”
Sometimes we get a little self-centered and we don't realize that our tiny little problems really won't matter in the long run, let alone five minutes from now. We're so lucky to get this life and we need to start appreciating its beauty.
So, who knew that a guy who makes so many fart jokes could speak so much wisdom? Thank you Louis, for all the life lessons and all the laughs that come along with them. Hopefully we can take some of these to heart and start to appreciate life a little more than we do right now.
