not...but...

"It is not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned. It is not what we intend but what we do that makes us useful. And, it is not a few faint wishes but a lifelong struggle that makes us valiant." -Henry Ward Beecher


Have a great Monday!

an inner summer

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." --Albert Camus

On days like today, you kind of have to live off of the summer you have inside of you.

Enjoy your Friday, and have a fabulous weekend!

left behind

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."- Albert Pike

Rainy cold days like today are perfect opportunities for coffee talk. So, grab a cup of coffee and talk amongst yourselves...I'll give you a topic: What kind of legacy do you want to leave when you leave this world?

Yeah, we're going a little deep for a Wednesday...

haulin'

My daddy always told me to just do the best you knew how and tell the truth. He said there was nothin to set a man's mind at ease like wakin up in the morning and not havin to decide who you were. And if you done somethin wrong just stand up and say you done it and say you're sorry and get on with it. Dont haul stuff around with you.- Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men

Good advice for a Friday (and anyday). Unburden yourself. Don't haul stuff around. And have a fantabulous weekend.

being big

I promise, I have not fallen in a hole. Here is your quote of the day:

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.” –Ann Landers

While I am a little embarrassed to be quoting a cheesy advice columnist, I like this statement. I think we sometimes like to believe that trouble is avoidable--that if we walk a straight enough line or mind all our p's and q's-- we can manage to keep trouble at a minimum. But, a little trouble is inevitable in every life. What matters is how we choose to deal with it when it comes. Will we bow down under the strain and let it defeat us? Or will we stand tall and be bigger than whatever it is we face?

Be BIG.

Not defeated.

And have a wonderful day.

magic

"When I look back on my ordinary, ordinary life...I see so much magic though I missed it at the time." -Jamie Cullum

So I talked to my 5 year old niece on the phone last night, and she was telling me all about their recent trip to Disneyworld-- having breakfast with Mickey and his friends, falling in love with the dolphins at Sea World, being brave and riding Splash Mountain three times-- and how she can't wait for Halloween because she gets to dress up as the Little Mermaid and spray her hair bright red. I could actually hear the excitement and energy in her voice-- she was practically bubbling over with giddyness. And it occurred to me...when you are 5 years old, everything is still magic. Through her bright, youthful eyes, she sees everything with a hint of fairy-dust...she is still touched by the wonder and awe of life.

So today, I challenge you to approach life as a 5-year old.

Don't miss the magic.

And have a wonderful day.

scars

Ok, I'm determined not to leave you hanging another day without a quote...sorry that they have been so spotty lately--- instead of a "Quote of the Day", they have been more of a "Quote of the Occasional Moment When I Have a Chance to Do Something Other than Work." So, here you go:

"Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real." -Cormac McCarthy

It's funny-- there are some scars that we carry that we will show off proudly--almost like war wounds or signs of valor, and there are other scars that we hide in shame, afraid that they will be judged somehow. But no matter what kind of scars we have, literal or figurative, they all carry a story-- they remind us of something we survived, something that hopefully made us stronger.

Just a little philosophical observation on a Monday in which I am feeling very aware of my scars.

better

I just came across this quote today and loved it:

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier." --Mother Teresa

What a great quote to adopt as a life motto...I think I just might make it my own.

Have a terrific Thursday!

right now

“What are you waiting for?” – Lope De Vega

It seems simple, and I am sure that there are many other people who have said this besides Mr. De Vega...but if you really think about it (and I mean REALLY think about it), it's a great question. How many of us live our lives in the future? How many times do we find ourselves thinking things like "I'll be happy when I have this" or "I'll be able to rest once I reach that." It seems like we're always waiting on something before we think we can really begin our lives...when I have a car, after I graduate, once I'm married...but what if we took the advice of another quote...

“Now is the time to live your ideal life.” - Cousineau

Why not live your life today? What holds you back from being able to enjoy your life completely, right now, in this moment?

What are you waiting for?

bring out the best

Last week was a little bit crazy, and I missed out on a few QOTD's...so I apologize if I caused you any withdrawal symptoms. Here's your fix for today:

"The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues." --Abigail Adams

Sometimes, we don't realize how strong we are until we are in a situation that forces us to be strong-- and this is true with many other qualities as well. The worst circumstances can actually bring out the best in us.

What have difficult situations taught you about yourself? Just a question to think about as we begin a new month...