Something to Think About

Thanks to Adobe Stock for this Traditional Japanese Print

Today I have been thinking about the way quotations have influenced my life. In many ways they are just as important to me as poetry. I have collected quotes since childhood and if I had only catalogued them properly I would have a wealth of wise words at my fingertips. Sadly that is not the case, so I search through multiple files both paper and digital looking for the one quote I want that I cannot find.

My daughter, Meghan, tends to find her solace not so much in poetry but in quotations and she expressed it like this:

“With only a few words, a good quote can teach us about life, love, suffering, professionalism and balance. It has the power to simplify the complicated, inspire new perspectives and challenge  the most convoluted thoughts. In other words…a good quote is fuel for the soul.”

Here are a few such quotes that you may not have read before that I find helpful and offer a slight shift of perspective.

“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” – James Baraz, Author, Teacher, and a Co-Founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center

 “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden, Basketball player, Coach, Sportsperson of the Year (too many accolades to mention)

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”– Oscar Wilde, Poet, Irish Playwright and was one of the most popular playwrights in London

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says: ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’”– Mary Anne Radmacher, Author, Artist, Consultant

“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”— William James, American Philosopher, Educator, Father of American  psychology, Leading thinker of the late 19th century

“Hanging laundry on the line offers you the chance to fly prayer flags disguised as bath towels and underwear.” — Barbara Taylor Brown, Author, Professor, Theologian.  Time magazine placed her in its annual 100 list of most influential people in the world.

I received good advise from a wise person who said, “When you read or study anything that strikes you, always ask, “how does this apply to me?” When I remember to do this, it can be both revealing and transformative. Oftentimes I forget, but by writing this here I am promoted once again to take that advice to heart.

Notes

Note 1:) Thank you all for the beautiful comments and emails. I do answer each of you individually, because I haven’t found a way for you to receive notification of a public response that I can make here. However, I do want to also acknowledge, here, my deepest appreciation for your kind and encouraging words.

Note 2:) My injuries are up and down although I remain upright. Because I have very, very little pain it is challenging to hold the reins back, but I am learning, because my body lets me know right away through swelling and bruising that it wants my leg rested and elevated and not just walking around. I am co-operating now.

Note 3:) When I found this old quote tucked away in the lost and found on my laptop, I knew it was my wish for all of you this week. “May your life be crowded with unexpected joys.”  – H Jackson Brown, Jr See you next week. Warmest wishes, Trudy