“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
This quote is from the book, Meditations, by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Meditations contains a series of notes and ideas by Aurelius to himself–a kind of personal journal. There is evidence to believe Aurelius suffered from chronic pain and poor appetite (symptoms of a possible ulcer). It was so bad that many were concerned for his health. Knowing this context, we might have more appreciation for his words about waking up each morning with gratitude for simply being alive with the ability to think, enjoy, and love. It’s not always easy to do so, especially when we’re suffering from pain–be it physical or emotional. But perhaps, with gratitude, the…
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
In nature, storms come and go. No storm has ever lasted forever. However, some are fleeting, while some can last the entire night and into the morning. The same applies to life. Some of the challenging moments in life are short-lived and some seem like they’ll never end. Either way, it’s only natural to wait eagerly for the storm to pass. Waiting in anticipation for life’s storms to pass isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a sign of hope. However, this quote, by Vivian Greene, reminds us to dance in the rain while we wait. It’s not always easy. But when it can be done, it makes the wait so…
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
It’s natural to feel sad when something good comes to an end. Practically no one sees a good thing come to an end and says glad that’s over. Whether it’s a great experience, a good book or movie, or the life of a loved one, the more common response is to wish it weren’t over. This quote, by Dr. Seuss (a.k.a Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel), can perhaps help us feel a little better when good things come to an end. Perhaps it’s easier said than done. Perhaps a good bout of tears is in order. But maybe after that, a smile can eventually surface as we begin to look back…
“Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.”
A lot of our unhappiness comes from comparing our life with others’. However, we don’t know what challenges someone else is going through unless we’re walking in their shoes. We all have our own unique path. And each of our paths will have some trails and tribulations. So, before comparing your life with someone else’s and looking down on your own, remember that you don’t know the full picture of someone’s life unless you’re actually living it yourself. Not only that, the act of comparing prevents you from being able to recognize the good things you already have, diminishing your overall happiness. This quote, by Marquis de Condorcet, is about…
Living Life Poetically: Sadness Gone
The poem, “Sadness Gone,” has a unique form. Each stanza has three lines that follow the pattern of five, seven, five. Meaning, the first and third lines have five syllables while the middle line has seven. This form is considered a haiku, which is a form of traditional Japanese poetry. Typically, these poems are only three lines long and seldom rhyme. However, in “Sadness Gone,” I took a few liberties. It is a haiku poem with three stanzas and some rhythmic rhyme. The poem examines what we can learn or gain each time we realize sadness is gone. Sadness Gone Sadness gone will show, It all passes in the end…The…
“When it rains, look for rainbows. When it’s dark, look for stars.”
Rain and darkness don’t typically result in happy, positive emotions. And if we had to choose between a hundred days of dreary weather and a hundred days of sunshine, we’ll most likely choose the latter. But sometimes life gives us a hundred days of rain; a hundred days of darkness. Basically, have to go through some crap for what feels like an excruciatingly long time. The light ahead may be far away or seem nonexistent. This quote (by anonymous) reminds us that in the midst of the rain and darkness we can look for the things that bring us joy.
Living Life Poetically: Keep On
The poem, “Keep On”, was written for those bad days; for whenever you feel like giving up. Perhaps, you’ve lost the drive to pursue your dreams and aspirations. I’ve been there. However, I’ve learned that giving up leads to more regrets. So push through the challenges. Come out stronger, each time, than before. Keep on. Keep On Take heart you downcast, my friend. Joy and happiness,You deserve. Though gone for now, They’re only hidden. Discovered, not given. Found where contentment, faith, and hope means believing, In a life that’s always worth living. So, keep on. For the journeys to come.
This Too Shall Pass
“This Too Shall Pass” is an adage that is both universal and timeless. So much so that it’s somewhat uncertain when and where it comes from. It has appeared in various forms and translations throughout different cultures and centuries. It has appeared in Jewish folklore about the bible’s King Solomon as well as in 13th-century Persian literature (among other origins). The main idea in the saying is that nothing in the human condition lasts forever. Anything that happens, good or bad, will one day pass. This can be both humbling and consoling. When life feels arduous or your situation feels unbearable, it is rather consoling to know that “this too…
Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent
It’s not uncommon for an athlete or team who had lost in the past to win later on. Happens all the time. Now, imagine that after a few defeats, they completely give up and vow never to play again? That would be crazy…and unfortunate, right? Well, we do this with life. After some rough patches and defeats, we sometimes lose our motivation and give up on the game–be it a passion, a hope, a dream–even ourselves. That’s the effect of a defeated mind. This quote by Marilyn vos Savant is not just a reminder to keep going. Beyond this is the message that our decision to not keep going is…
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A New Outlook on the New Year
As the days draw nearer to 2020, I recognize a familiar feeling. It’s actually a heavy sense of disappointment crowned with a hint of sadness. But why? A New Year is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. This discrepancy between how I usually feel and how I should feel made me realize something for the first time… Wow, I have a terrible outlook on the New Year. I should probably work on that. I just find myself thinking about the things I had planned to do during the year, all the goals I had set, and the “new and improved” version of myself that should have already…
