Inspirational quotes
-
Germinating
“During the times we think we’re being ‘unproductive,’ the seeds of new worlds are germinating within us, and they need peace to grow.” ~Martha Beck Somewhere along the line, I bought into the notion that I need to be working 24/7. I feel guilty if I’m not writing articles, teaching classes, organizing my home, working in my garden, or otherwise being productive. Now that I’m semi-retired, I don’t want to become useless or irrelevant. While most of us celebrate the idea of retiring from our jobs, we still live in a culture that rewards busyness. So it’s not surprising that many of us are conflicted (or secretly embarrassed) if we…
-
Looking on the bright side
“Every sunrise gives you a new beginning and a new ending. Let this morning be a new beginning to a better relationship and a new ending to the bad memories. It’s an opportunity to enjoy life, breathe freely, think and love. Be grateful for this beautiful day.” ~Norton Juster, children’s book author Over the past two days, Doug and I spent time with a pair of old friends who visit us every year when they’re back in town. One of them was diagnosed with brain cancer a few months ago, and her journey back to health has been both grueling and miraculous. She and her husband shared moving stories of…
-
Your grass is green enough
“Get busy taking care of your own grass, and you won’t notice whether it’s greener elsewhere.” ~Karon Waddell Whenever I’m fully engaged in something I enjoy, I’m practically oblivious to what’s going on around me. Some psychologists refer to this state as being in the flow. Whatever it’s called, I’m happiest when I’m focusing on my own goals and projects — free of competitive impulses. Jealousy and envy sprout when we doubt our abilities and gifts. Or when we don’t exercise our potential for success. That’s when we look over our shoulders to see what others have achieved. That’s when we start comparing ourselves and feeling “less than” — even when…
-
How to feel more alive
“Try to learn to breathe deeply, really taste your food when you eat….Try as much as possible to be wholly alive, with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive.” ~William Saroyan We pay a price when we experience life primarily through screens and devices. If we’re not checking our phones, we’re watching TV or staring at a laptop. The Internet has made it possible for us to read and publish articles, watch videos, find new recipes, catch up on the news, and chat with friends anywhere. But humans are wired to enjoy three-dimensional experience…
-
Make your bed
“When life feels like an emotional roller coaster, steady yourself with simple rituals. Make the bed. Water the plants. Rinse off your own bowl and spoon. Simplicity attracts calmness and wisdom.” ~Marc and Angel Chernoff, Marc and Angel Hack Life Everything feels like it’s in a state of chaos right now. While there’s not much we can do about national and international turmoil, it helps to create order out of disorder in our homes. The effort it takes to launder your bed linens, for instance, is rewarded when you pull back your fresh sheets and retire for the night. I used to think that being tidy was overrated by professional organizers —…
