Category: Worth Keeping

“To play it safe is not to play.” – Robert Altman

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
– Mark Twain

I was quite amused to find that this was in my e-mail this morning for the “inspiration” e-mail I get every day. Seems to be just what I needed. Funny when that happens, isn’t it?

Thinking for yourself in the face of doubt

“One man’s creativity is another’s brain damage.” – Roland Fischer

If you accept someone else’s idea of reality and personal limits, you’ll have no control over your own destiny. You can only go as far as that view will let you. Do you normally accept things as they are, or do you ask “why” and “what if”? Being an individual and thinking for yourself—even while others are calling you crazy—takes courage. For many, trying a new perspective is scary. But if we always stick to the familiar, the known, we never grow and learn. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain. Ask the tough questions that everyone else is afraid to ask. Try a new way to do the same thing just to see what happens. We guarantee you that the world won’t end. You’ll see solutions that nobody else would see if they’re all looking at a problem the same way. Practice new ways to combine unrelated objects. After all, somebody had to try peanut butter and jelly for the first time.

Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all; forgiving means to pardon that which is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all.

– G.K. Chesterton

I received this via e-mail yesterday. I don’t know if someone really wrote this letter to Bertha or not, or if the author was really 83, or if someone just made up a fantastic letter with a lot of good advice and passed it on. None of that really matters though, because it all seems to hold pretty true. Just thought I would pass it on – it gave me something to think about.

This was written by an 83 year old…The last line says it all.

Dear Bertha,

I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them..

I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good China and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries..

I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary; if it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted.

I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.

I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I’m guessing; I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

I don’t believe in miracles. I rely on them.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.