Inspirational quotes
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All-inclusive gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Every year, the season of Thanksgiving reminds us to count our blessings while we take inventory of our good fortune. But as Ralph Waldo Emerson suggested in today’s quote, “all things” have made us who we are today. These include health crises, personal losses, financial problems, career challenges, and other difficulties. The pilgrims who left England to start new lives in America faced a perilous journey across the Atlantic. Arriving in Massachusetts…
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Self-care and the art of perseverance
“One must go on working silently, trusting the result to the future.” ~Vincent van Gogh After a long battle with RSV, three years ago, it took a while to rebuild my weakened immune system. At the time, my internist said something that reminded me of today’s quote from Vincent van Gogh. As she put it, there are no “quick fixes” when it comes to healing — so it’s wise to practice patience as we work toward our long-range goals. I think that’s a wise prescription for any worthy endeavor you can name, whether you’re trying to improve your health or other aspects of your life. ~CL ~ Did you know…
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The zen of lower expectations
“There are two ways to be happy: Improve your reality or lower your expectations.” ~Jodi Picoult How often have you ordered a product online that disappointed you when it arrived? Have you ever traveled to a place that was less amazing than the promotional brochures described? Have you ever expected more than someone else was able to give? As Anne Lamott wrote, “Expectations are resentments waiting to happen.” If we’re often disappointed, it might be time to examine our expectations. Truth is, we can’t always bend reality to meet all of our wants and needs. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep reaching for the best or trying harder. But sometimes we need to…
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Random acts of authenticity
“Authenticity is not needing external approval to feel good about your actions.” ~Jess Lively, The Lively Show Once in a while, it’s healthy to question our own motives. How often do we take a photo that we don’t intend to publish or show anyone else? How often do we create a work of art, write a story, redecorate a room, or buy a “no-reason” gift for someone — just because it makes us happy? How often do we give generously of our time or resources without expecting acknowledgement, praise, approval, or something else in return? Today, try doing something for yourself. (Don’t explain it or show it to anyone else.)…
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Illuminate the ordinary
“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” ~Henry David Thoreau Sometimes we’re so focused on planning a big vacation that we take for granted the “ordinary” days we’re experiencing right now. On average, a good vacation lasts a couple of weeks, but a good life is measured by how we live every single day. After investing so much time and emotional energy into our holidays and special occasions, no wonder we feel let down when we resume our usual routines. Life isn’t just a series of special events and high expectations. And we’ve only ourselves to blame when boredom strikes. In today’s quote, Thoreau…
