Not to get too maudlin, but I think all mistakes are tests for one's mettle. 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 alonecoffeetimelove Extraordinary things happen in solitude. Michael Finkel happenthingsthings-happensolitude My fight-or-flight mechanism... had served me well in Gaza, in Afghanistan, and all the places I'd been. Michael Finkel placeswellmeafghanistan 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 alonewoodswantpeople America might be the land of second chances, but it ain't the land of third chances. Michael Finkel chancessecondlandamerica 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 thinksocietypeopleworld 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 forgivenessmistakelongbelieve I am a writer. It's like a third arm to me. Michael Finkel armi-amlikeme 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 journalismrealliteraturewriting I committed pretty much the worst thing you can do, which is defraud the readers. Michael Finkel worst-thingprettyyouworst 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-amstoryseeyou I never do formal interviews. I don't use a tape recorder. I take notes but occasionally. Michael Finkel nevertakeformaluse You can read my stuff; there are not very many quotes. It's more impressionistic. Michael Finkel readmoreveryyou 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 lionwalkmountainage 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 looktimelifechildren 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 thoughtsdaytimeworld I always fancied myself an outdoorsman, even though I'm a Jewish guy from the East Coast. Michael Finkel jewishmyselfalwaysguy I spent 12 years traveling more than six months a year. I really needed to see the world. Michael Finkel moreyearseeworld There's a difference between lying and not being straight. Michael Finkel straightdifferencebeinglying Frightening things happen in solitude. Michael Finkel happenthingsthings-happensolitude
