Quotes make a difference
I love quotes.
They always stir something up within me, whether it’s in agreement or disagreement to what I read. Even the corny, sappy ones that cause you to roll your eyes. You know the ones I mean :)
Some quotes really catch my attention and I find myself lost in reflections that open new pathways of thought. It seems the adventures into these places are endless. Rustic. Soulful. Enriching.
These adventures might not appear to change life in that instant. Or do they? My pondering of certain quotes that appeal to me, I believe, changes the flow of things in an instant. It’s like they plant a seed inside and from the moment I begin to reflect on them, something is different. You can’t go back; only forward…
This morning, I found myself reading a series of quotes that had been carefully selected and organized by JD over at Sources of Insight. As I scanned the list, certain quotes spoke to me more than others. I sat back and enjoyed the reflections they stirred up. It’s like someone had a pot of soup simmering on the stove and I took a ladel to stir it. So much flavour… or food for thought. Thanks JD.
Quotes for conversation
Here are some quotes I noticed had an effect on me in one way or another.
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” — Cherokee Indian Proverb
I guess if yesterday was a bad day and you dwell on it, it will steal much of today. But if yesterday was a fantastic day and you continue savouring it, the energy of today could further expand.
“Just keep moving forward and don’t give a shit about what anybody thinks. Do what you have to do for you.” — Johnny Depp
Oh, the power of a well-placed swear word. This just lays it all on the line, doesn’t it?
“Letting go doesn’t mean that you don’t care about someone anymore. It’s just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself.” — Deborah Reber
It really does come down to our own perception and choice, doesn’t it? A good reminder.
“Expecting nothing is allowing for everything.” — Joy Christin Detor Holland
This one, which was not on JD’s list, was written by an online friend of mine, who blogs over at Facets of Joy. This quote took me deep :) where as some of you know, I like to go. I’ve been sharing it with friends left and right. I think it’s brilliant and it’s refreshing to see new material :) So often you see the SAME quotes over and over. This was a nice change. Thanks, Joy.
I found myself reflecting on how this illustrates the flow of the yin/yang; how “things in life are not completely black or white, and they cannot exist without each other.”
I invite you to taste the smorgasbord over at JD’s blog. Notice which quotes repel and which ones attract. You might be surprised at where they take you.
Do you have a favourite quote and if so, why?
Do you have any other reflections on the quotes I’ve chosen?
Photo credit: Davina Haisell
{ 11 comments }
Davina…one of my all time favourites is by the American/Polish Satirist, Leo Rosten
“Most men do not mature, they simply grow taller.”
How true, and we can all apply it by learning to change and grow in mind, body & spirit.
Hi Stephen.
I like this one, too! Your analogy is good, too. Makes me feel compassionate for all of us. To me, the physical maturity is more out of our control than the inner growth.
Hi Davina, I sure feel like I’m following Johnny’s advice when it comes to my musical project. I don’t have lots of, or in fact any, entertainment moguls telling me how I should be proceeding — I just have friends and family who are generous enough to comment when they can. But hey, I do have creative autonomy.
Hi Davina,
Thought I would drop by. I love quotes. I have collected them since about 1990 and now have three big books full. Poetry, sayings, bits of novels, films, song lyrics, philosophy, comedy. Quotes save conversations as like people find like people. And quotes are handy starters for stories. I do believe Douglas Adams stole all my best lines:) Current favourite is Marcel Proust…’the beautiful things we shall write of, if we have talent, are inside us, indistinct, like the memory of a melody which delights us even though we are unable to capture its outline.’
Hi Chris.
You are doing an awesome thing! I’m so excited for you with this project you’re working on. I think that once you get so involved in a project, you don’t even stop to think about what folk care. It means so much to you that “it” is the only thing that matters. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Hi Bec.
Nice to see you here! Wow, you have quite a collection of quotes. It’s nice to take some moments to read a few quotes. They just seem to take you to another “space.” If you collect quotes I bet you’ll enjoy JD’s post then :)
Oooh, that’s a great idea to use a quote for the start of a story! The quote you have shared by Marcel Proust is brilliant. It’s left me feeling a little sentimental…. I think it’s that part about those beautiful things that are inside of us. Thanks for sharing that, and for your visit.
Davina, thanks for this wonderful post about quotes. I have no favorites and many favorites. That just means I can’t choose one as my favorite. I have used some of the quotes from JD’s extensive list.
Having just recently seen Dark Shadows, the quote by Johnny Depp caught my eye. So true, we must do what is right for us.
HI Davina .. JD at Sources of Insight has some wonderful posts. I catch quotes when I’m scanning/reading an article in a magazine … and take it in – so you’re right the right words seem to pop out when we need them.
I always remember my uncle’s advice re end of life and care … “Love is all” .. so simple, but so true .. I think I’d probably add in something about the Universe, nature and its entirety – but for now can’t think!
I love Joy’s quote .. Expecting nothing is allowing for everything .. it would make our life simpler if we thought this way …
Cheers Hilary
You’re welcome, Linda.
It’s pretty hard to choose a favourite quote. I think favourites tend to change, depending on what’s going on for you in the moment, too. I liked JD’s list because there were some favourites there, and there were many that I’d not read before. The Johnny Depp quote caught my eye too :)
Hi Hilary.
I agree with you, JD writes great posts. They’re always so well researched and organized. I love how some quotes jump out at you, as you’ve shared. It’s neat to notice them when they do and reflect on what they’re bringing up in that moment.
I love what Bec suggested above, to use them as a beginning to a story. I thought that was a great idea.
Your uncle’s quote is a wise one :) It really does come down to just that, doesn’t it. In the end, that is all that really matters. I think Joy’s quote speaks to this, subtly. If you’re in total acceptance — feeling loving — you are expecting nothing, and that opens the door to so much more. You can be more of yourself. You allow other folk to be more of who they are.
Hi Davina,
I also love quotes and the quotes you have shared here have very beautiful deep meanings. I am going to check JD’s blog and your friend’s quote is also very interesting to read, that quote took me deep as well :)
Davina – I’d like to share one that came to me in the middle of the night, something I’m seeming to have a lot of since my eldest son passed away. It is:
“Perfection is, what is” – Taru Fisher
Hi Syeda.
I hope you find some quotes that you like on JD’s blog. There are so many! It’s a nice break actually, to sit and take them in. Deep quotes rock :)
Hi Taru.
That’s interesting what you’re experiencing. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it? I love your quote — thanks for sharing it here. It’s quite poignant. It’s making me think… I love quotes just like this one. They have a deep meaning, but at the same time… there is something more there, that keeps you thinking.