Quotes: Richard J. Leider

"An inventuring* life finds aliveness at the edges of discovery and growth. The purpose of life is, then, to grow." 

–– Richard J. Leider, American life coach and author

*Inventure n. new or original invention, discovery, or idea; v. to create something new or innovative 

Source: Leider, Richard J. and David A. Shapiro. Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Rest of Your Life. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1995; p. 87. 

via: Commonplace Book 2006-2009, 2007, p. 77.

Quotes: Rebecca Solnit

"Darkness is generative, and generation, biological and artistic both, requires this amorous engagement with the unknown, this entry into the realm where you do not quite know what you are doing and what will happen next. Creation is always in the dark because you can only do the work of making by not quite knowing what you're doing, by walking into darkness, not staying in the light. Ideas emerge from edges and shadows to arrive in the light, and though that's where they may be seen by others, that's not where they're born." 

–– Rebecca Solnit (b. 1961), American author 

Source: Rebecca Solnit. The Faraway Nearby. New York: Viking, 2013; p. 185. 

via: Commonplace Book 2013-2014, 2014, p 81-2. 

Quotes: Tracy Kidder

""It's like geography," says Jim. "The interesting parts are the edges: Where things come together. The middle parts that are all the same are not so interesting to me." 

–– Tracy Kidder (b. 1945), American writer 

via: Commonplace Book 1999-2001, 2001.