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Jamie Lee Curtis

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Nothing to Undo?

Posted: 01/27/11 06:09 PM ET

At random times, with no apparent reason, my iPhone keeps asking me or telling me, "NOTHING TO UNDO?" Is it a question or is it a directive, some tech nudge from the cyber-Gods?

I keep thinking it should be the title of my never-to-be-written autobiography, so instead I am making it my blog diving board. Today, not yesterday and probably not tomorrow, but today, this moment, I have Nothing to Undo. I have not done something I am regretting or have not put into motion something that will gather steam, like the cartoon snowflake turning into a giant snowball. This place of relative equanimity comes from my idea that inner-direction has shifted to be at least at best equal to my constant outer-directedness. Yes, procrastinators and "I'll do it tomorrow-ites," I am one of those Type A+s who wakes each day with an outer-directed sense of purpose and Just-Do-It-ness that leaves Nike in the dust, and that infuriates some and leaves others standing slack-jawed at my speed, control and efficiency. In doing so I am sure that I am brusque and bold and loud and annoying and charming -- and all of it must seem like a lot to be around, but darn it, I do get it done... but it is all outward, and little thought or inner pulse-taking exists. That is changing, and with that change comes a new sense of purpose and, amazingly, like today, Nothing to Undo.

What is all my DO-ing doing, really? Moving some stuff round, making things a little more efficient. That is all good and valuable in a custodial way, but I hope that by realigning myself, I can start to shift my consciousness to the much bigger issues facing us. How can I link this change with action but link it from within rather than with the big, sweeping moves that I normally do?

I know. These sound like quality problems from an entitled princess, but I do understand the complex problems facing lives all around me and far away. The horrors are too numerous to mention and the illnesses and disasters too readily available on the internet. I am aware of the health care conundrum, the education system Rubik's Cube, choking pollution, wasted natural resources and opportunities, generations caught up in their sick mating rituals of dysfunction and addiction and depression, and the ongoing conflicts ruing this shared globe, but I am merely positing about change and how we can achieve it, mid-stream, mid-life.

I welcome ideas and experiences and will chuckle at those who take this opportunity to remind me, in the comment section, what a privileged life I live that I can take the luxurious time to ask the question. Bring it.

Jump on in, the water is fine, and, so far today, on this glorious Southern California day, it is 85 degrees, breezy -- and yes, I know that the East Coast is under a wall of snow and ice, but that is theirs, and believe me, the ground could start to shake here anytime. But here, on this day, just this day with the sun so bright and this moment of balance and the ability to breathe and look inward, I have Nothing to Undo... do you?

 
 
 
At random times, with no apparent reason, my iPhone keeps asking me or telling me, "NOTHING TO UNDO?" Is it a question or is it a directive, some tech nudge from the cyber-Gods? I keep thinking it sh...
At random times, with no apparent reason, my iPhone keeps asking me or telling me, "NOTHING TO UNDO?" Is it a question or is it a directive, some tech nudge from the cyber-Gods? I keep thinking it sh...
 
 
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02:01 AM on 02/20/2011
I've seen the same message many times and have not put much thought on it besides the
phone telling me something I can't do. But with your insight, Jamie, I've sat and thought about what in my span of all of 23 years I would "Undo". Yes, I am human and have made stupid mistakes;
however, I believe these "mistakes" are life-lessons. Currently, due to grad school issues, my life
is taking a 180 turn whether I like it or not. Though my initial goal will most likely not be brought
to fruition, I won't take for granted the opportunities I've had in the meantime. I'm going to keep
blazing my trail and moving forward---I'm too young to throw in the towel and give up!
We all need to emulate Edit Piaf's song, "Non, Je ne regrette rien"----Regret Nothing, Undo
Nothing!
And since I love encouraging quotes, I'll end with the words from the great Walt Disney:
"Around here we do not look back for very long, we keep moving forward, because we are curious,
and curiosity keeps opening new doors and leading us down new paths."
So no, iPhone, I have Nothing to Undo!
10:36 AM on 01/31/2011
I would hope one day to be able to say nothing to undo. Today however, the question ,as for most of the past few years is-what to undo first and how? Actually the things bothering me can't be undone and working on them instead of leaving them in their dormant state might bring them back to life in the worst way. I guess I've chosen to live with the guilt rather than risk further damage to me or others. At least until we reach a point
where -like the computer- we can hit a button and return to a time that would allow instead a redo- and then make the right decision.
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wendoxia
think!
07:57 PM on 01/30/2011
oh so well written jamie. and i am in awe of your abiilty to do and do and do...because you do a lot of good while you're doing, I know that.
It is a beautiful day, enjoy it.
many many good thoughts.. wendie goode dox
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sean180
Nate Silver Predicts You'll Fav My Comment
02:44 PM on 01/30/2011
I wish I could undo my iPhone purchase. Then everyone I call wouldn't be begging me to call them back from a land line.
01:14 PM on 01/30/2011
Beautifully written. Today I've put in motion observing the passing clouds over my house in Costa Rica. A childish quality I began doing again, enjoying the moment of doing nothing but appreciating the world around me...even what floats above my head.
www.happierthanabillionaire.com
12:16 PM on 01/30/2011
I love it! What a wonderful metaphysical statement. And rather inscrutable, open to interpretation, with a potential for subtle humor. Sounds like God to me.

Enjoy that DO IT energy. I had it and lost it to illness. Just remember to BE at the same time. That energy to accomplish can become all flash and no substance. Remind yourself that some "accomplishments" are really time-wasters. It has to be worth it - not just at the end of the day, when you see how nicely you have arranged your cabinets, but at the end of your life, when you wonder whether it was worth the time you could have spent enjoying life.
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10:34 AM on 01/30/2011
We are all trapped between a past we cannot change and a future we cannot control. The Undo function is a bit comforting in that light.
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tnlcallen
04:30 AM on 01/30/2011
I like the concept for sure. Got a chuckle out of it because my Iphone does the same thing.
01:43 AM on 01/30/2011
The iPhone has a built in function to undo something in a text field when you shake your phone back and forth.

If you haven't done anything, it will tell you there is nothing to undo.

I think you can turn this function off in your settings app.
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tnlcallen
04:21 AM on 01/30/2011
I think you are missing the point of her post.
08:30 AM on 01/30/2011
Thank you. I was thinking of getting an Iphone and was curious what that was about. I think you can "get" and appreciate her post yet still be practical :)
07:54 PM on 01/29/2011
Ah...nothing to undo...may we all live thus.
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southingtonian
"I'm a Capricorn and you can't make me do sh*t.."
01:20 AM on 01/30/2011
nothing to undo? only because some things cannot be undone, to my regret.
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10:33 AM on 01/30/2011
all that tells me is someone isn't paying attention.
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09:07 AM on 01/29/2011
Ok, in 2 days I've read it 3 times and I'm not sure what the question is. I certainly can't recommend a cause for another person to tackle, and I can't think of any criticism, I've always found your performances way better than I could do and not just because I'm a guy and not an actor. When I was a kid, I wanted to be famous. Now I get to enjoy the snowdrifts on the mansion in near anonymity, whilst I stare at the blue jays and contemplate the beauty of....uh oh. A hawk got the blue jay.
I've been accused of being overly fond of your picture on the cover of AARP recently. The issue is over there on the curio. I tell friends I keep it because of Betty White, or the blonde woman who I don't recognize, but it is all lies, lies I tell you. You've increased my life expectancy, I'm going to beat those actuary tables, by golly.
I was watching your father in Some Like It Hot the other day. He was a comic genius...when Marilyn is steaming up his glasses on the yacht, I can hear my late father howling with laughter. And sorry for your loss last year.

Peace.
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KathleenQYD
www.QuintessentialYouDesign.com
06:50 PM on 01/28/2011
Jamie Lee ~ Let me begin by saying...Thankfully someone who lives a 'privileged luxurious life' is actually asking these questions and exploring these thoughts! Hallelujah! You go ....or should I say 'stay' girl!! From my perspective, it is these very inquiries and the willingness to look within that have the potential to change our world and impact its circumstances.... one person at a time. Living in willingness to see ourselves 'in here', we have the exquisite opportunity to move circumstances 'out there'. Our fame and fortune or seeming lack thereof are simply the structures that our individual lives have set up for our very own perfect exploration and discovery!
Your looking and willingness is great!
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Halsey
"There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. T
12:58 PM on 01/28/2011
I can't afford an iPhone. WAH! Jamie, your articles are always thoughful, intelligent and darn it, make me think when I simply want to crawl under the covers. I used to be a "nothing to undo" type; as I could see some good coming from events years before that just seemed horrid. I am stuck in "I'd do everything different" mode right now and that is a waste. I cannot go back and NOT marry that man, not take that job, not turn right (and get hit by a speeding uninsured teen), NOT sat on that old tree (where a tick bit me and gave me lyme). I waste my drifting of moments into replaying my own history; knowing it doesn't work that way.
I guess, I thank you as today I have to look very hard at all I want to undo and realize the send button was already pushed.
I need a hug.
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10:38 AM on 01/30/2011
trees cant grow and be strong without wind, if there is no dark, there is no light. non of us are perfect, we are a work in progress. all lessons are meant to be learned from. there is a buddhist saying ill roughly translate, you can try to cover the whole world in leather or you can put leather on your feet.
once you look at things thru your heart and not your eyes, everything looks different. i am sure nothing youve done cannot be learned from, cannot make you stronger as the tree in the wind.
you are stronger and wiser than you realize.
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Halsey
"There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. T
11:50 AM on 01/30/2011
Pema, you have a beautiful way with words and I thank you for sharing them. I guess in a cosmic sense, I am stronger than I realize; yet am quite tired of getting up after falling so many times.
I will take what you've sent me as a gift for contemplation. Very faved.
Namaste
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12:14 PM on 01/28/2011
you are so cool,
peace
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halfpricefaustian
Voted for Obama. Waiting for Godot.
12:01 PM on 01/28/2011
Constantly re-doing is the twin sister of un-doing, is it not? You know, the twin with the slightly lower right eye, not the twin with the slightly crooked nose. Not quite twin, you know.