To quickly paraphrase David Foster Wallace's story, fishes are swimming around and one fish swims by saying "The water's nice." One fish turns to his swimming companion and says, "What the hell is water?"
I believe that Wallace is getting at the almost auto-pilot setting that many people use for their everyday lives. Routine kills the imagination. We become so numb, so accustomed to the everyday drive that it takes us months to realize, hey- when did they repaint that building? When did they plant that flowerbed? When did they tear down that playground? If it does not involve us, auto-pilot. If it does not excite us, auto-pilot. We need to stop letting life literally pass us by as we stare out into the hazy mist, searching for the beacons of excitement. Clear your own fog- appreciate the novelties of life such as a heads up penny or inspiring graffiti. Someone went out of their way to give someone else a little slice of happiness; cherish it. If that isn't enough to get you to take firm control of your life, I don't know what will.
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