Quotes Meaning

"Hopefully as you get older you get more selfless. That would be probably a good goal. I don’t know if we do, though."

- John Cusack

"Say Anything..." and "High Flier" are just two of the many films that American actor and filmmaker John Cusack is well-known for performing in. He has discussed life and aging in numerous interviews over the years. His thoughts on how becoming more selfless as we age should ideally be a part of personal growth are among his noteworthy observations.

According to Cusack, the objective of aging should be to become less preoccupied with one's own needs and more intent on serving others. He acknowledges the complexity of human nature and the difficulties in gradually altering deeply rooted behaviors, raising doubts about whether people truly accomplish this.

Consider a river traversing a valley to demonstrate his point. Early on, the river is swift and narrow, carving out a path that is only useful to itself as it shapes the terrain. The river nurtures the land and supports a variety of ecosystems downstream as it matures and widens, embracing more of the surrounding area. In a similar vein, Cusack's perspective contends that as we age, our influence ought to broaden beyond our own benefit to encompass improving the lives of others.

This viewpoint emphasizes a common goal for personal growth: moving beyond pursuing personal fulfillment or success to become someone who positively impacts society. It encourages people to consider how, as they get older, they can use their resources and experience to help those around them.

Cusack presents this idea, but he also maintains realism regarding its viability, arguing that it's a worthwhile objective that might not always be achieved. His remark challenges us to think about what ethical maturity and personal development look like as we age.

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