I used to have this very quotation — laid over a giant poster of the not-so-giantesque Yoda — on the walls of my high school architecture/design studio. None of my kids even knew what architecture was on day one of the class. In their particular urban landscape, architecture was intellectual currency not typcially afforded their families at the dinner table. Nor a reflection of what they saw in the mirror each morning. They did, however, learn very quickly that there was “no try”, only “Do or do not”, when we spent time together.

Ultimately, they were like the bumble bee from a law of physics P.O.V. Aerodynamically, they should not have been able to fly. Somehow, my kiddos never got that memo. They soared — as designers and human beings — because they never were allowed to linger in the “land of try”.

BTW, I’m certain that there are a few old skool Puritans out there raising their collective fists on some metaphysical Olympic stage in support of this conversational thread. Power to the work ethic.

http://mfx.dasburo.com/art/truisms.html

Quite a bit of overlap in philosophical underpinnings, isn’t there? First, that dreams have no meaning, and neither do ever-idling money nor drugs. Second, that the only rule is work.

You judged by the sweat of your brow, and all that, eh?

http://awaitingtenure.wordpress.com/