All I have tonight are 2 quotes from my favorite (probably) author, Pat Conroy (both seemingly indirectly related it seems):
"I wanted to become the seeker, the aroused and passionate explorer, and it was better going at it knowing nothing at all, always choosing the unmarked bottle, always choosing your own unproven method, armed with nothing but faith and a belief in astonishment."-- Pat Conroy, The Lords of Discipline
"Loss is a fiercer, more uncompromising teacher, coldhearted but clear-eyed in its understanding that life is more dilemma than game, and more trial than free pass." --Pat Conroy, My Losing Season