My fight-or-flight mechanism... had served me well in Gaza, in Afghanistan, and all the places I'd been. Michael Finkel More Quotes by Michael Finkel More Quotes From Michael Finkel As a writer, I spend a lot of time alone, and I like it. I'm also a long-distance runner, and I love long, solo road trips; I can drive literally all night, drinking coffee, and not even listening to the radio, just strangely content sifting through the random thoughts in my own head. Michael Finkel alone coffee time love Extraordinary things happen in solitude. Michael Finkel happen things things-happen solitude There have always been hermits: people who want to get away from other humans. Literally, some of the first extant books and poems found in Mesopotamia and China mention people living alone in the woods. It's this primal fascination that exists across all cultures and all times. Michael Finkel alone woods want people America might be the land of second chances, but it ain't the land of third chances. Michael Finkel chances second land america I think many people have this sense that something about modern society - the screens, the noise, the traffic, the constant busyness - has approached a point where living in the world feels somewhat unhealthy. Michael Finkel think society people world Perhaps one could say I've worked in South Africa too long, but I believe in forgiveness, especially when a person admits a mistake, asks for forgiveness, and works to right a wrong. Michael Finkel forgiveness mistake long believe I am a writer. It's like a third arm to me. Michael Finkel arm i-am like me In my writing, I try to combine all my favorite elements of journalism - accuracy, real characters that exist on this planet - with all my favorite elements of literature: a sense of flow, of propulsion, of wanting to read every sentence. Michael Finkel journalism real literature writing Not to get too maudlin, but I think all mistakes are tests for one's mettle. Michael Finkel i-think mistakes get think I committed pretty much the worst thing you can do, which is defraud the readers. Michael Finkel worst-thing pretty you worst I am guaranteeing you that if you see my byline on a story, it's going to be the cleanest story you've ever read. Michael Finkel i-am story see you I never do formal interviews. I don't use a tape recorder. I take notes but occasionally. Michael Finkel never take formal use You can read my stuff; there are not very many quotes. It's more impressionistic. Michael Finkel read more very you I moved at age 22 to Montana to be able to walk in really wild woods, where the chances of being killed by a bear or mountain lion are not zero. Michael Finkel lion walk mountain age Modern life, especially with young children, so often seems like a mad rush... We so rarely take time to just do nothing - not look at our phones, not read the news. Michael Finkel look time life children I firmly believe that if we all just took a little time - like 10 or 15 minutes a day - to do nothing but sit calmly with our thoughts, this world would be a much better place. Michael Finkel thoughts day time world I always fancied myself an outdoorsman, even though I'm a Jewish guy from the East Coast. Michael Finkel jewish myself always guy I spent 12 years traveling more than six months a year. I really needed to see the world. Michael Finkel more year see world There's a difference between lying and not being straight. Michael Finkel straight difference being lying Frightening things happen in solitude. Michael Finkel happen things things-happen solitude
