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"The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear." -U2 Les Paul, the inventor of the solid body electric guitar and a pioneer in the field of multi-track recording, passed away today at the ripe old age of 94 surrounded by friends and family with a life that took risks, defied the status quo, and changed everything. That's a good life. What captured my attention the most in reading the Associated Press article on his life was his quote about his first invention, "The Log," a four-by-four piece of wood strung with steel strings that he debuted in 1941. Paul stated, "I went into a nightclub and played it. Of course, everybody had me labeled as a nut." Les joins a list of personal heros who people thought were crazy for their convictions including Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Ed Catmul, and The Edge to name a few. It reminds me I don't want to be safe. I don't want to be comfortable. I want to believe in something so emphatically that no matter how ridiculous it may seem to people, I'lll continue to risk for it. How will you change history? What things are you willing to look ridiculous for? A faithful marriage/single life in a world that promotes sleeping around? A college carreer based on integrity rather than deception? A life that gives itself to people rather than using them to get somewhere you're headed? An idea? A cause? An injustice? Seriously, if you had to pick one what would it be? Give us your comments below.
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Comments
It's funny, because if you asked Les Paul if he thought he was a revolutionary, he probably wouldn't say he was. Obviously people that change history take risks, but I've found that those who TRY to be revolutionary never quite get there. It's the people who are devoted, disciplined, simple and obedient to where God has called that seem to make the largest impact. Even the examples you gave as looking ridiculous (remaining faithful and having integrity) are not exactly screaming sexy and cool, which we often associate as being a history changer.
For me being ridiculous is doing and becoming what God has called me to be at all cost. That is primarily built on a foundation of having a deep and intimate relationship with God. It may not be sexy, it may not always be cool or even easy, it might even challenge our own pursuits to change history, but what else is there that compares?