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Posts tagged ‘Quotes’

Jun 19

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Let Go of the Rope

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.” – Lao Tzu

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

Summer reminds me of waterskiing the beautiful lakes and rivers in Minnesota. Walking out of work after another thick day, “let go of the rope” came to mind. When you start losing your balance waterskiing, you naturally let go of the rope so you don’t get pulled under and dragged along. A vivid reminder of releasing and letting go of the day, finding a renewed balance.

We think that we should hold tight no matter what, even if it drags us under. There’s no heroism or strength in stupidity and stubbornness. When you get off balance and start to fall, let go of the rope. You’ll float.

Jun 15

2 Comments

Stand Out

“No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.” – George Washington Carver

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Do not merely blend in, go along to get along, fit into the pack. Conformity dulls and mutes beautiful color. Define yourself and live it without hesitation, leaving more behind because you passed by. We are here to be salt and light, to stand out. Be bold and transform yourself and in turn the world.

Jun 11

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Magnify

“There’s no enlightenment outside of daily life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Put down the binoculars, searching in the distance. Pick up a magnifying glass to this day, to now. Surely amidst the daily routine and rush, you can find but one good thing, then another and another. You are not where you’ve been and you are going where you need to. Look through the glass with awe, surprise and delight.

Do the work, find the joy in it, then put it down. Rest, reflect and do it again. The rhythm of daily life. The outcomes come whether we worry about them or not. Let life unfold without pushing. Magnify each moment.

Jun 6

8 Comments

Untether

“It is not the end of the physical body that should worry us. Rather, our concern must be to live while we’re alive – to release our inner selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a facade designed to conform to external definitions of who and what we are.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Growing up, we would play tetherball on the playground. Hitting the tied ball back and forth until it would wrap around the pole to win the game. What we tether to, binds us in the same way, holding us back from good days, a good life. Assumptions, attitudes, ideas, judgments, biases, the past… Cut the cords and watch those heavy balls turn into balloons, floating away. Untether, lighten up.

Jun 4

4 Comments

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.

Jun 3

This Day

“This day will not come again.” – Thomas Merton

Give to it and receive from it.

Jun 2

8 Comments

Sliver of Shade

“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

As I was cutting the grass today caught up in the weight of the week ahead, I glanced up and Lily was laying under a sliver of shade of the new tree. Some would say the tree is too small. Be it ever so narrow, she found the gift of shade and opened it up. We get distracted by assumptions and attitudes that blind us to the slivers that provide real joy and lasting comfort.

Make the most of what’s present in the moment and a sliver of shade is more than enough. Gratitude through all seasons makes the winters warmer and the summers cooler. We do find what we seek, so seek goodness and each day will be overflowing with enough.

May 27

11 Comments

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 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.

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