“It’s silly,” Eilonwy added, “to worry because you can’t do something you simply can’t do. It’s like trying to make yourself taller by standing on your head.”
--Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. --Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905
Thursday, November 30, 2006
"The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others."
William Lyon Phelps
William Lyon Phelps
"dear god, i have no idea where i am going. i do not see the road ahead of me. i cannot know for certain where it will end. nor do i really know myself...and the fact that i think that i am following your will does not mean that i am actually doing so. but i believe this: i believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. i hope i have that desire in everything i do. i hope i never persist in anything apart from that desire. and i know that if i do this, you will lead me by the right road, though i may know nothing about it at the time. therefore i will trust you always, for though i may be lost, i will not be afraid, because i know you will never leave me to face my troubles all alone." - thomas merton
Once upon a time a man whose ax was missing suspected his neighbor's
son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief, and spoke like a
thief.
But the man found his ax while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor's son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child.
Lao-tzu, philosopher (6th century BCE)
son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief, and spoke like a
thief.
But the man found his ax while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor's son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child.
Lao-tzu, philosopher (6th century BCE)
"The trouble with so many of us is that we underestimate the power of simplicity. We have a tendency it seems to over complicate our lives and forget what's important and what's not. We tend to mistake movement for achievement. We tend to focus on activities instead of results. And as the pace of life continues to race along in the outside world, we forget that we have the power to control our lives regardless of what's going on outside."
- Robert Stuberg
- Robert Stuberg
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Thursday, July 13, 2006
At some point, you have to make a
decision. Boundaries don't keep people
out - they fence you in. Life is messy.
That's how we're made. So, you can
waste your life drawing lines or you
can live your life crossing them. But,
there are some lines that are way too
dangerous to cross. Here's what I know.
If you are willing to take the chance,
the view from the other side is
spectacular. -Grey's Anatomy
decision. Boundaries don't keep people
out - they fence you in. Life is messy.
That's how we're made. So, you can
waste your life drawing lines or you
can live your life crossing them. But,
there are some lines that are way too
dangerous to cross. Here's what I know.
If you are willing to take the chance,
the view from the other side is
spectacular. -Grey's Anatomy
"There is a prayer intended to give strength to people faced with circumstances they don’t want to accept. The power of the prayer comes from it's insight into human nature. Because so many of us rage against the hand that life has dealt us. Because so many of us are cowardly. And afraid to stand up for what is right. Because so many of us give into despair when faced with an impossible choice. The good news for those who utter these words is that God will hear you and answer your prayer. The bad news is that sometimes the answer is no." -desperate housewives
"The world is filled with unlikely friendships. How do they begin? With one person desperately in need and another willing to lend a helping hand. When such kindness is offered, we're finally able to see the worth of those we had previously written off. And before we know it, a bond has formed, regardless of whether others can understand it. Yes, unlikely friendships start up every day. No one understands this more than the lonely. In fact, it's what they count on." -desperate housewives
"Everyone enjoys a game of make-believe now and then. Of course, the ways in which we play can vary greatly. Sometimes we tell ourselves work won't interfere with our family life. Sometimes, we imagine certain relationships to be more meaningful than they really are. Occasionally, we put on a show, as if to convince ourselves our secrets aren't really all that terrible. Yes, the game of make-believe is a simple one. You start by lying to yourself, and if you can get others to believe those lies, you win." -desperate housewives
"It's not always that easy to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. Sinners can surprise you. And the same is true for saints.Why do we try to define people as simply good or simply evil? Because no one wants to admit that compassion and cruelty can live side by side in one heart. And that anyone is capable of anything." -desperate housewives
Sunday, July 02, 2006
If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo panted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare composed poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, “Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” ~ Martin L. King Jr.
--->"An old man was sitting on a bench when a teenager with a rainbow mohawk walked by. The old man stared at him. Seeing him stare, the teenager said, 'What's the matter old-timer, never done anything crazy in your life?' The old man replied, 'Many years ago, I got drunk at a wild party and had sex with a parrot. I was just wondering whether you were my son.'" -Anonymous
"When you're young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun, then you grow up and learn to be cautious; you could break a bone, or a heart. You look before you leap and sometimes you don't leap at all because there's not always someone there to catch you. And in life, there is no safety net. When did it stop being fun and start being scary?"-Carrie Bradshaw From Sex and the City
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
“This is absurd. It’s just a dog.”
“Just a dog? Porthos dreams of being a bear, and you want to shatter those dreams by saying he’s just a dog? What a horrible candle-snuffing word. That’s just like saying, ‘He can’t climb that mountain, he’s just a man‘, or ‘That’s not a diamond, it’s just a rock.’ Just.” ~ Finding Neverland
“Just a dog? Porthos dreams of being a bear, and you want to shatter those dreams by saying he’s just a dog? What a horrible candle-snuffing word. That’s just like saying, ‘He can’t climb that mountain, he’s just a man‘, or ‘That’s not a diamond, it’s just a rock.’ Just.” ~ Finding Neverland
After awhile you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. And you learn that love doesn't mean learning and company doesn't mean security. And you begin to learn the kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises. And you begin to accept your defeats with your head and your eyes open with the grace of an adult and not the grief of a child. And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow 's ground is too uncertain for plans. After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you will learn that you really can endure that you really are strong... and you really have worth. ~From a Psychology Book
"If you don't think conflict is relevant to technological advances, take a look at the Swiss. They've been neutral for virtually their entire history and their major contribution to the world is the cuckoo clock. Look at the Swiss "Army" knife. It's got nail clippers. It's even got a corkscrew in it!" T.C. Luoma
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
"Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you. Like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly. You shouldn't have to wake up day after day after that, trying to understand how in the world you didn't know. The light just never went on, you know. I must have known, of course, but I was too scared to see the truth. Then fear just makes you so stupid." -Frances
While everyone else
Is so busy striving,
The lone traveler
Is at ease by himself.
He’s been living outside of convention
For a long time now;
In his pouch there is nothing at all.
When he walks,
He takes a cane for a companion;
When he talks,
He has the rocks for an audience.
If you ask him what his religion is,
When hungry it’s a bowl of rice.
--Wen-siang (1210-1280)
Is so busy striving,
The lone traveler
Is at ease by himself.
He’s been living outside of convention
For a long time now;
In his pouch there is nothing at all.
When he walks,
He takes a cane for a companion;
When he talks,
He has the rocks for an audience.
If you ask him what his religion is,
When hungry it’s a bowl of rice.
--Wen-siang (1210-1280)
Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity. And so we ask ourselves: will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we are gone, and wonder who we were, how bravely we fought, how fiercely we loved?
Said by the character Odysseus in the first lines of Troy (2004).
Said by the character Odysseus in the first lines of Troy (2004).
"So many of us are running around, trying to find a way that we can make a difference and matter. It sounds like he had it figured out that the best way to do that was simply to live life. I mean, you have a diabetic inhaling sugar. That says to me that this is a man who basically just said, “you only live once and I don't know how long I have,” and then went out and did it. If we can't take something away from that, well, that's a shame. There aren't enough people who don't take life for granted, and we're all guilty of it. The people who make the biggest differences and have the most profound effects on the people around them are the ones who have really grasped how precious life really is."
Monday, February 20, 2006
"People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that's bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they're afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain."
-Jim Morrison
-Jim Morrison
"The important thing is not to be bitter over lives difficulties, learn to let
go of the past, and recognize that everyday won't be sunny, and when you find
yourself lost in darkness and despair, remember - its only in the black of night
that you can see the stars, and those stars will lead you back home. So don't be
afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall, cuz most of the time, the greatest
rewards comes from doing things that scare you the most, maybe you won't get
everything you wish for, or maybe you'll get more than you ever could have
imagined, who knows where life will take you, the road is long, and in the end,
the journey is the destination."
~Whitey from the TV Show: One Tree Hill
go of the past, and recognize that everyday won't be sunny, and when you find
yourself lost in darkness and despair, remember - its only in the black of night
that you can see the stars, and those stars will lead you back home. So don't be
afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall, cuz most of the time, the greatest
rewards comes from doing things that scare you the most, maybe you won't get
everything you wish for, or maybe you'll get more than you ever could have
imagined, who knows where life will take you, the road is long, and in the end,
the journey is the destination."
~Whitey from the TV Show: One Tree Hill
"Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. And when the dam bursts, all you can do is swim. The world of pretend is a cage, not a cocoon. We can only lie to ourselves for so long. We are tired, we are scared, denying it doesn't change the truth. Sooner or later we have to put aside our denial and face the world. Head on, guns blazing. De Nile. It's not just a river in Egypt, it's a freakin' ocean. So how do you keep from drowning in it?"
~Dr. Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy'
~Dr. Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy'
Monday, February 06, 2006
"I opened up a yogurt, underneath the lid it said, "Please try again." because they were having a contest that I was unaware of. I thought maybe I opened the yogurt wrong... Or maybe Yoplait was trying to inspire me... "Come on Mitchell, don't give up!" An inspirational message from your friends at Yoplait. Fruit on the bottom, hope on top!"
- Mitch Hedberg
- Mitch Hedberg
Once upon a time, a woman was picking up firewood. She came upon a poisonous snake frozen in the snow. She took the snake home and nursed it back to health. One day the snake bit her on the cheek. As she lay dying, she asked the snake, "Why have you done this to me?" And the snake answered, "Look, bitch, you knew I was a snake." ~ Indian Chief, Natural Born Killers
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Any change, any loss, does not make us victims. Others can shake you, surprise you, disappoint you, but they can't prevent you from acting, from taking the situation you're presented with and moving on. No matter where you are in life, no matter what your situation, you can always do something. You always have a choice and the choice can be power.
- Blake Lee, The Power Principle
- Blake Lee, The Power Principle
"Worry and Hurry" are evil twins who prey on unwary souls by means of their unseen partnership. As "Worry" paints a negative mental image that promises the worst to come, "Hurry" whispers of the urgency in this emergency -- the emotional effect of which is to send us rushing to repair a problem that probably doesn't even exist!
-Guy Finley
-Guy Finley
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