Some Pearls Of Wisdom

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” -Matthew 13:45

“For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.” –The Pearl, a novel by John Steinbeck

“There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering that you’re on the wrong wall.” -Joseph Campbell

“You find out when you reach the top / you’re on the bottom.” -Bob Dylan, song Idiot Wind

Whether you go up the ladder or down it,
you position is shaky.
When you stand with your two feet on the ground,
you will always keep your balance. -“Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu (Stephen Mitchell translation)

One moment from an improv show (“The Armando Diaz Experience” at the Improv Olympic in Chicago) I saw over two decades ago that still haunts me…

The performer ended his opening monologue with these words:

“I got everything I thought I ever wanted and I’m still not happy.”

Silence.

You could hear a pin drop. You could feel the audience breathing with him through the sadness.

Then, the moment ended. The scenes and the comedy began…

What are you searching for?

What ladder are you climbing? Why are you even climbing it?

What’s your pearl of great price?

Knowing which one to pick is priceless.

P.S. – Pictured above is the Melo Melo Pearl. One of the rarest and most valuable pearls in the world.