Either Fish or Cut Bait!
This nugget of southern origin means just what it implies. Either work or get out of the way. But I think it could mean a few different things with the same gist. Either participate in progress or complain about the lack thereof. Or maybe step up to the plate or get out of the game. I suppose you could apply this little gem to so many either or’s. But in reality it is a pretty safe motto to live by. You can spend your whole life cutting bait or cast your line into a beautiful stream or a serene pond. Your hands full of blood and guts versus you rod bent half way over challenging a big mouth bass to a duel.
Your head can always be down and life will pass you by or you can look up and participate in life. I wonder if I always fish rather than cut bait. I think I am gaining on the fishing end and putting the cutting bait in my rearview mirror. I am moving really moving not just existing but accomplishing things. They are small but they are far bigger than what I accomplished a week ago, a month ago or even a year ago. Moving forward is becoming my normal. I have been in a sort of suspended animation for so long that I had forgotten how much I like to laugh, cut up, sing (yes, sing), listen to music, joke about all the ridiculous things I see and swim for hours. So I guess the bare knuckle idea of this southern saying is quite simply live or die. Simple really.
A Country Walk 