Inspirational quotes
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Remain calm
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat any time.” ~Hermann Hesse Lately, a friend and I often joke that our blood pressure spikes every time we watch the news. Given the unpredictable political changes ahead, not to mention the devastating wildfires in California, it’s a challenge to remain calm while staying informed. The best we can do is to stay centered — especially when we wonder if everything around us is falling apart. “Sanctuary” is one of the most beautiful words in our language. It conjures images of a safe, holy place — a room or a building that offers an escape from…
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What you don’t want
“Sometimes knowing what you don’t want is as valuable as what you do.” ~Oprah Winfrey Choices, choices! Whether I’m shopping for a cosmetic product, laundry detergent, or a jar of peanut butter, I’m often overwhelmed by the sheer number of items available. It’s a privilege to have access to a wide selection of goods — but making the right decision can be harder when I’m presented with several things that serve the same purpose or perform the same task. As today’s quote suggests, it’s important to know what you don’t want as well as what you want. Keep it in mind whenever you have to make major life decisions or…
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The gift of quiet time
“There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.” ~Alexander Woollcott The month of December includes several family birthdays and holiday events, so most days on our calendar are typically marked with things to do. But our dog Coco was hit by a car before Thanksgiving, so this season has been different. To ensure Coco’s recovery, we’ve had to cancel a few plans, stick close to home, and keep our outings short. It might seem anti-social (or boring) to some, but I love seeing blank spaces on my calendar. It’s not that I don’t look forward to gathering with family and friends. But I have to admit that…
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Do you believe in magic?
“Surrender to the way things want to happen next, even though this often involves a vast and terrifying loss of control. Trust the magic that was born into your soul.” ~Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World Now that it’s October, my email is brimming with lists of the best spooky movies I can watch this month, from Alfred Hitchcock classics to Practical Magic and John Carpenter’s Halloween. Get the popcorn ready — I’m in! Some folks don’t enjoy scary films or ghost stories — or anything else in which events are manipulated by unseen forces. Are you one of those people? According to research, if you…
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How big is your world?
“The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald Look around, and you’ll notice that the happiest people are those who stay fully engaged with the outside world. I’m talking about the ones who get out of the house, stay active, make plans with others, and indulge their curiosity. They’re not sitting on the couch waiting for someone to call. You’ll rarely catch them scrolling social media updates on their phones; they’re so busy doing something that they simply don’t have time. Today’s quote suggests that we have the power to design or redesign the world we…
