There are times in life which encourage introspection and reflection of oneself, what they want out of life, the expression of their character, and sometimes just a humorous way to look at things differently. I frequently tease myself with thoughts of this nature, but have given myself a bit more to these thoughts due to recent reads and other life events. It’s times like these that I recall back to powerful and inspirational quotes from various sources that have stuck me as exemplary in some way, and worthy of sharing.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Mark Twain
This quote by Twain still keeps me going through the difficult parts of transition from a purely domestic life, to one overseas. While I don’t believe I suffer from the afflictions he lists in the first sentence, the second part strikes me as a rather thoughtful reflection that lends just the right amount of strength I needed in order to adapt and overcome the difficulties that the path I’ve chosen has created. I believe that this experience, no matter how short or long it may be will have a profound impact on my world view and individuality.
This next one is part of a larger monologue from the movie “Call Me By Your Name”. A movie I saw entirely by accident when I mistook the day for the Cinerama showing of Dunkirk. This quote alone made it a worthwhile mistake!
“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty, and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing, so as not to feel anything? What a waste. – Right now, there’s sorrow, pain – don’t kill it, and with it the joy you felt.”
An exclamation to let yourself feel all of life. To not let negative emotion temper the feelings you may feel the next time around or otherwise dissuade you from experiencing them again.
A quote from the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 episode “In The Pale Moonlight”. When a series of life-changing events is put into motion, it’s all but impossible avoid nerve-wracking anxiety over it. But once that ball is rolling, the momentum of it is out of your hands – so what can you do?
“Worry and doubt are the greatest enemies of a great chef. The souffle will either rise, or it won’t – there’s not a damn thing you can do about it, so you might as well sit back and wait and see what happens.”
There are things in life that one cannot control. It is not worth worrying or stressing over these things, but rather find the things you can exert control over and be proactive with them.
A favorite of mine from “The Shawshank Redemption”. For added effect (if you haven’t seen the movie, shame on you) read it in Morgan Freeman’s voice.
“I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone.”
Great and influential people will come and go from your life, along with the joy they bring with them. As much as you may like, you cannot keep them from doing so, it is better to let them go than to try to contain them.