thoughts written by Patti Dienhoffer
We met him in 1993. It was the last day of school 1976. We were Dazed and Confused about life, he kept getting older and the girls, they stayed the same age. Matthew McConaughey came into our lives and for the first time we learned that everything was going to be “Alright, Alright, Alright”.
“The older you get, the more rules they are going to try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep liven man, L-I-V-E-N.’ David Wooderson, Dazed and Confused
He freaked us out in “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Next Generation”. He was the lawyer we all needed in “A Time to Kill”.
He has been the love every straight woman has been looking for time and time again. And, he has with out a doubt raised my standards and expectations, probably beyond reason. Lets not kid ourselves, I would take just about any one of his characters. (cough**cough Benjamin Barry – How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days).
After a couple year hiatus Matthew McConaughey came back with a vengeance. He impressed the world with his versatility. A Defense Attorney in Lincoln Lawyer, a police detective who was also a contract killer in Killer Joe, a fugitive in Mud and how could we forget him as a male stripper in Magic Mike. He won Best Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. And he coached us on just how to be successful in the “Fugazi” world that is Wall Street in, The Wolf of Wall Street.
“How the fuck else would you do this job? Cocaine and Hookers my friend.” Two keys to success in the broker business 1) ya gotta stay relaxed 2) cocaine.” – Mark Hanna, The Wolf of Wall Street
Like most of our favorite actors, we feel like we have been along for the ride with him. We feel a connection, given to us through the characters he chooses to portray on the big screen. Matthew McConaughey’s book Greenlights takes you on a deep dive into his past: his parents, his siblings, his upbringing, his triumphs and tribulations, air stream liven and of course Ms Hud. The people and his life experiences that shaped him into the man he is today. It’s like sitting down around a campfire with your crazy best friend. Sipping on some brown liquor and him just letting loose the tails of his many adventures. Some of them you remember as if you were there and some of them you’re hearing for the first time. It’s inspirational as much as it is awe-inspiring. You will laugh, you may cry (you might just cry laughing). And, if you never cared for bumperstickers before– you will now! You will come to understand that the world is conspiring FOR you not against you. This book teaches you about growth, change and learning.
“We all step in shit from time to time. We hit roadblocks, we fuck up, we get fucked, we get sick, we don’t get what we want, we cross thousands of “could have done better’s” and “wish that wouldn’t have happened” in life. Stepping in shit is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck, or figure out how to do it less often.” -Matthew McConaughey, Greenlights
In life everyone has Red lights, Yellow Lights and Green Lights. The red lights will stop you in your tracks; take stock, learn and wait. Know that the green light is on its way. Sometimes in life you need to pause, the yellow lights; well, often yellow lights will scare the hell out of you, but you’ll do it anyway. And, at the green lights, you know to just go! This book encourages you to be smart with your choices but don’t be afraid to take chances.
I am not in any way affiliated with this book but I not only recommend it, male or female a like, I highly recommend the audio version. Read by the man himself. I have always preferred an audio book read by the author because it is their words; they know just how they meant the book to be read. And, in this case, I mean… its Matthew McConaughey; need I say more? He could be reading the Dictionary and I would give it a listen!! (just talk Matthew, just talk)
Anyone out there driving a Lincoln? So, you know what I’m saying...
It should go with out saying, none of the photos used in this post are mine. they have been taken from random Google and Pinterest searches. I also do not know Matthew McConaughey nor do I have permission or contract to promote his book or his work in films, I am just a fan and his book moved me to not only tell all my friends and family but also all of you to read it.