Words of Wisdom for July 31, 2009

There is no better way to enrich your own life than to help other people enrich theirs. ~~My pencil case.

The last time I was in Taiwan I bought myself a pencil case with a cute cat and the word HAPPY on it.  In small letters came the advice above.

As I was sitting here pondering what kind of inspirational quote I could come up with on a dark, cold and rainy day, my eyes alighted on my pencil case, and I was off.

Inspiration and happiness can come from anywhere if we’re just open to it. What a good lesson for me today!

Affirmation for July 30, 2009

“I am willing to let the love in. It is safe to let the love in.  I am worth loving.”

Today’s affirmation comes courtesy of the musician Jason Mraz.  He Twitters a daily affirmation, and I loved this one so much I lifted it.

Why do so many of us not think we’re worth loving?  That’s so sad.  We must be open to the love that’s all around us.

Words of Wisdom for July 29, 2008

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ~~Eleanor Roosevelt

I love Mrs. Roosevelt.  She was tough, feisty, intelligent and outspoken. And here, she’s just plain right.

It’s time for my high school reunion this fall, so lots of memories are churning up, not all of them good. Like many Americans, I found high school my own special hell.  I was bullied and labeled and made to feel inferior. And for the first three years, it worked.

But then I got sick and was told I was going to die.  All of a sudden, things gained perspective.

I don’t recommend such a radical kick in the butt, but it worked for me.  What Roosevelt says is true.  We don’t like to accept it, but it is.  It’s hard to accept when we’re kids, but we have to put it out there to them.  If the bullies in school (and I include both students and teachers here) make you feel inferior, you are letting them.

You are inferior to no one.  Don’t you ever fall for that!

I’m going to reunion in October, not to confront the bullies or even to talk to them.  They don’t remember they did it and would be shocked to think they were ever little rotters in HS.

I did have friends in school, good ones, and I’m going to see them.  If I stay away, the bullies have won once again.

Affirmation for July 28, 2009

I’m a valuable part of the world, and no one can replace me.  I am important!

Some days we just feel like another cog in wheel of life, but if one of those cogs breaks, chaos can ensue.

Even though there are times the grind gets to me, my grinding is unique and necessary.  And so are you.  We are important and necessary and no matter how uniform and ordinary we feel, we are unique.

Words of Wisdom for July 27, 2009

You grow up the day you have your first laugh–at yourself. ~~Ethel Barrymore

According to this definition, I am quite the grown-up.

Barrymore was a member of the famous Barrymore-Drew acting family, some of whom were known as much for their talent as for their foibles, especially when alcohol was involved.  The family talent still shines brightly in her grand-niece, Drew Barrymore.

Ethel’s life wasn’t always what she wanted it to be, but she knew an important truth. Laughing at yourself makes it easier!

Brief Announcement

Had no internet access for two days (horrors!), so was unable to update.

We are now back to our regularly scheduled programming.  Thanks!

Affirmation for July 23, 2009

I will not sweat the small stuff today.  I will roll with it

Easier said than done today!  Internet is out (am at a fast food place), all seems “off”.

But it’s all good. Can’t be so rigid that we can’t adapt, right?  Really, most of the problems in our life are really more like annoyances.  Just let them go.

Words of Wisdom for July 24, 2009

“Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” Confucius

This one is to remind myself to stop rushing! But it also reminds me that being thorough, while time consuming, is the more wise choice.  What is time, after all? Just a human concept.

Says she who wishes she had more!

Words of Wisdom for July 22, 2009

“When the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.” ~~ Edith Hamilton

This is one of my all-time favorite quotations.  We all love being free, and we all are free, more or less.  But freedom isn’t enough.  We must also take responsibility for our own actions at all times.  Once we give up our responsibility, we perforce lose our freedom.

It’s a delicate balancing act for any culture, but it’s as difficult for individuals as it is for societies.

Affirmation for July 21, 2009

I am open to change. I embrace changes joyfully.

The old saying tells us that nothing is constant but change, so we might as well accept it as fact.  But it’s a lot harder than we think.

Humans are creatures of habit and routine.  We find them soothing, and they give us comfort.  A fun quote I wanted to use today, but didn’t because it was inevitably more negative than I want to be here, was this one by the inventor Charles Kettering: “People are very open-minded about new things – as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.”

Change can be frightening.  Even small changes can throw us off our stride if we resist them, so today’s affirmation is one we can all use.  And sadly, not all change is inherently good.  But we can’t let fear of change hold us back from something that we need or want.