“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Why is it “we delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty”…and never stop to think…” a bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
I’ve learned that…” nothing can dim the light which shines from within” but you.
“Still, what I want in my life
Is to be willing to be dazzled—
To cast aside the weight of facts
And maybe even
To float a little
Above this difficult world.
I want to believe I am looking
Into the white fire of a great mystery.
I want to believe that the imperfections are nothing—-
That the light is everything –that it is more than the sum
Of each flawed blossom rising and fading.
And I do.”
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?… Your playing small does not serve the world there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory…that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
My Compilation of the words of these amazing orators who somehow understand what lives deep within my soul. Thank you, Maya Angelou, Mary Oliver & Marianne Williamson