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Posts from the ‘Quotes’ Category

Jun 4

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Attain

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

“The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

“The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

The graduation season is in full swing. My niece Emily graduated from high school last week. High school, like teenagers, is filled with a mix of emotions, ups, downs, some drama and a lot of diffused energy. An important transition into young adulthood to be sure. While it’s time for more focus and to come into your own in college, don’t lose your wide-eyed enthusiasm and back it up with hard work and confidence.

In particular for young women, it’s so important to believe in yourself, regardless of the noise around you, and there’s a lot of it. Trust and listen to your instinct (God’s voice). You have so much to offer and gifts to develop to give to the world. And in all that you do, do it with passion, compassion and heart. And when you find your place and fully engage, you’ll soon discover that it’s not so much what you do in life but how you do it, with character and kindness.

May 30

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The Field

“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” – Vince Lombardi

There are some weeks that are so intense and exhausting, it’s easy to lose perspective, to go numb and negative. Don’t. And when given the choice to lay it all on the field or to sit on the sidelines as a spectator, muster the courage to pick the field every time. It’s in you, lay it down. And then celebrate the victories.

“Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.” – Swami Vivekananda

May 27

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Wisdom

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - William Butler Yeats

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

This weekend, we celebrated my nephew Mark’s graduation from college. Next weekend, we celebrate my niece Emily’s graduation from high school, proud moments, wonderful life transitions and milestones. Twenty seven years ago, I graduated from college and am reminded vividly that time passes by both slowly and quickly all at once. If I could go back and give my 27 year younger self some advice as well as Mark and Emily, here are a few thoughts that come to my mind and heart:

  • Be aware and awake to the gifts in each day. Pay attention.
  • Each step, each day makes up your story and it will be revealed at the right time. It all ties together.
  • Love completely, regardless of the perceived risk.
  • Work hard. And while your career is an important part of your life, it’s not who you are.
  • Mind, body, heart, spirit – grow them all.
  • Always do your best regardless of what others say or think. Never dumb it down or dial back.
  • Our plans don’t always work out the way we planned, but they always work out.
  • Stop and help others along the way. Lasting joy comes from giving more than receiving.
  • Laugh a lot and don’t take yourself so seriously.
  • Your family is your anchor and home, always cheering for you, crying with you and quietly praying you through.
  • No matter what happens, you are never alone. God is with you every step of the way. Sometimes ahead, lighting the way. Sometimes at your side, holding your hand. Sometimes behind, lifting you up.
  • Cast your light. The world is waiting.

While this part of your education is over, school has just begun. Be curious, ask questions and you will learn every day. And to my 27 year older self, that youthful optimism and enthusiasm remains within, a bit bruised from the journey, but stronger for it.

May 24

13 Comments

Thankful Out LOUD

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher

Wake up – life is blooming with gifts to be opened and shared, with gratitude. Be grateful and express it early and often. A simple and sincere “thank you” is like giving someone a fragrant bouquet of flowers. Every single day, we have dozens of opportunities to express thanks – the coffee shop cashier, a co-worker, a sister, a friend. Our lives expand when we move outside of ourselves and our expectations of how others should treat us. Don’t hold out or back. Be selfish and go first in giving thanks and attention to others and take several turns. No strings attached but the ones that pull at your heart and theirs. Thank you – that was easy. Out loud and loud!

“A person however learned and qualified in his life's work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan

“A person however learned and qualified in his life’s work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan

May 22

7 Comments

Arrive

“Life is lived on levels and arrived at in stages.” – Edwin Louis Cole

It’s a good place to be, right in the moment. No regrets of what’s been or not been, only lessons, memories, stories and blessings (some disguised as burdens) that sustain us. No worries of what’s to come, only faith that we will arrive where and when we need to, with confidence that it is our place and our time.

Moments by themselves often don’t make sense, but in their entirety make up the notes in our symphony. Looking back, we can see the series of pivot points, challenges, victories and arrivals and the path is complete. So moving forward, knowing that it really does all tie together, we can appreciate and enjoy the moment knowing that we are where we need to be.

Gratitude and awareness of the present cultivates a deep, lasting joy. While we may not arrive to our many destinations in our time, it’s always the right time. Keep showing up. You are arriving everyday.

May 20

5 Comments

Lean Back

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” – Eleonora Duse

“The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

The view changes when we take time to lean back and see the horizon before us and beyond us. We often lean in too hard and fast, getting lost in over-committing, multitasking, competing, comparing, complaining. Lean back and go bigger than making a living and start making a life. Lean in to the moment fully – work, play, family, friends, faith – with attention and delight, not weight and burden. Enjoy each and move on to the next, coming back when it’s time. A rhythm of leaning in and leaning back. Time won’t wait for you to enjoy your life, neither should you.

May 14

6 Comments

Agreement

“Happiness, contentment, the health and growth of the soul, depend, as men have proved over and over again, upon some simple issue, some single turning of the soul.” – George A. Smith

When we quiet the noise, we realize that much of our conflict is created by us – thoughts, assumptions, gossip, keeping score, coasting. Driven by us then conveniently projected on others. Our pursuit of getting others in agreement with us is futile. The starting and ending point is getting in agreement with ourselves. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz beautifully summarizes key agreements for us to own. Pretty simple and profound. We can get in agreement and it really is our choice.

“Be Impeccable with Your Word
Speak with integrity.  Say only what you mean.  Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.  Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you.  What others say and do is a projection of their own dream.  When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.  Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.  With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick.  Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.”

May 8

6 Comments

On Purpose

“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” – Og Mandino

Slow down, take a breath, step back and get a new perspective. We create a lot of internal angst struggling with the anchor of where we’ve been and where we think we should be, missing where we are in this very moment. Have faith and accept that you are where you need to be right now, on the path just for you.

The world becomes so much bigger and beautiful when it’s not all about us. What will you offer, what will you leave behind? And in those quiet moments when we choose to listen, we hear the call to let go of the struggle and move into the moment fully, on course, climbing that mountain, on purpose. Grow into that mountain and take in the view.

May 4

9 Comments

Beautiful Threads

“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran (A little Barry sisters fun at family wedding.)

There are beautiful threads woven through the fabric of our life. Friends and family who are a part of our many memories and milestones, bonds that are enduring. Some we see everyday, others we see at weddings, graduations and funerals. And whether we talk to them every week or a few times a year, they remain a part of our foundation, our home. Family become friends, friends become family.

Through the celebrations, challenges, transitions and losses, they laugh, hug and cry us through our victories and defeats. Listening more than talking, holding our hand or giving us a high five. They provide the color and pattern in an often random world.

Think of all of those people in your life who are a part of your fabric and call one of your beautiful threads today.

Apr 26

4 Comments

Bloom

“The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.” – Leo Buscaglia

Go out today and give flowers to yourself and someone else. Whether you buy flowers or the petals are your smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, plant seeds and delight in what blooms. No grand gestures, rather simple acts done with love.

“To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour.” – William Blake

“To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour.” – William Blake

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