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Uh-oh is not in any dictionary or thesaurus, and is seldom seen in written form. Yet most of us utter that sound every day. And have used it all our lives...Uh-oh is way up near the top of a list of small syllables with large meanings...Uh-oh...is a frame of mind. A philosophy. It says to expect the unexpected., and also expect to be able to deal with it as it happens most of the time. Uh-oh people seem not only to expect surprise, but they count on it, as if surprise were a dimension of vitality."These words from the opening of Uh-oh describe a special vitality that, in fact, infuses the writings of Robert Fulghum with the incomparable joie de vivre and sense of wonder that have made his books, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It, modern classic, translated into twenty-five languages.In this third volume, Fulghum explores a variety of subjects from both sides of the refrigerator door—from meatloaf to the Salvation Army Band, from fireflies to funerals, from hiccups to a watch without hands. One again, Fulghum celebrates everyday life in all its richness, subtly weaving a theme of balance throughout, balance between the mundane and the holy, between humor and grief, and between what is and what might be.
This collection investigates the philosophy of the unexpected, positing that the small, everyday phrase "uh-oh" represents a vital mindset for navigating the inherent surprises of human existence. Robert Fulghum, a former minister and teacher, draws upon his observations of the mundane and the profound to argue that embracing life's unpredictability is essential for maintaining balance. Through a series of reflective essays, he examines the intersection of humor, grief, and the ordinary details of daily life to offer a perspective on finding meaning in the transient.
What You Will Find
The work is regarded as a quintessential example of the author's accessible, observational style that emphasizes finding wonder in the ordinary. Its focus on humanistic philosophy and gentle humor makes it a staple of the inspirational essay genre.
Page Count:
244
Publication Date:
1991-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
0002550075
ISBN-13:
9780002550079