Inspirational quotes
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Put yourself out there
“Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.” ~Raven Leilani I once met a woman who arranged her life to avoid appearing “wrong.” She never displayed artwork or family photos on the white walls of her immaculate home. She dressed appropriately in a style that never made a statement. Polite and reserved, she rarely revealed an opinion or a passion. I was always on my guard around her. Life can be so much richer — and a lot more fun — when we are willing to take creative chances, make mistakes, and put ourselves out there. So, go ahead: write, paint, dance, sew, decorate,…
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Within our reach
“Happiness, not in another place but this place. Not for another hour, but this hour.” ~Walt Whitman How are things going? If you’re working on New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to lose sight of the good things within your reach right now. Goals inspire motivation, but they also keep us hyper-focused on the future. For instance, we might convince ourselves that we won’t be happy until we drop another 10 pounds, write a novel, find the perfect job, clean the basement, or remodel the kitchen. Today’s quote suggests that happiness is attainable in the present moment. Right here, right now. What have you enjoyed so far this year? ~CL ***…
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The light of gratitude
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~Albert Schweitzer The gratitude list is a tool I’ve promoted often in the workshops I coach, whether I use it as a writing prompt or a personal growth exercise. And I try to practice what I preach. One of my favorite exercises is to recall the names of people who’ve made a difference in my life. The medical doctors who’ve taken care of my family and me are at the top of my list. That list…
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All-inclusive gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Every year, the season of Thanksgiving reminds us to count our blessings while we take inventory of our good fortune. But as Ralph Waldo Emerson suggested in today’s quote, “all things” have made us who we are today. These include health crises, personal losses, financial problems, career challenges, and other difficulties. The pilgrims who left England to start new lives in America faced a perilous journey across the Atlantic. Arriving in Massachusetts…
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Self-care and the art of perseverance
“One must go on working silently, trusting the result to the future.” ~Vincent van Gogh After a long battle with RSV, three years ago, it took a while to rebuild my weakened immune system. At the time, my internist said something that reminded me of today’s quote from Vincent van Gogh. As she put it, there are no “quick fixes” when it comes to healing — so it’s wise to practice patience as we work toward our long-range goals. I think that’s a wise prescription for any worthy endeavor you can name, whether you’re trying to improve your health or other aspects of your life. ~CL ~ Did you know…
