Tag: Great quotes

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Dr Sally Ride

In 1983, Dr Sally Ride (05/26/1951-07/23/2012) became the first American woman to fly in space. She was the third woman in space. After leaving NASA, she was a professor of physics at University of California, San Diego. After retiring from her professorship in 2007, she co-founded O’Shaughnessy. They made entertaining science programs and wrote some books on science for children.

Everywhere I go I meet girls and boys who want to be astronauts and explore space, or they love the ocean and want to be oceanographers, or they love animals and want to be zoologists, or they love designing things and want to be engineers. I want to see those same stars in their eyes in 10 years and know they are on their way.

All adventures, especially into new territory are scary.

Science is fun. Science is curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. It’s delving in.

Each one of us has the potential to be a history-maker.

Young girls need to see role models in whatever career they may choose just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday.

Learning to handle both success and failure is a part of life. There will always be moments of disappointment, but it is how you deal with them that defines you.

The path from dreams to success doesn’t always run straight, and that’s okay. Keep believing. Keep going. Keep working.

Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.

We should not be afraid of dreaming big, of reaching for the stars. We are capable of achieving extraordinary things.

The unknown is terrifying, but it is also exhilarating. Embrace the fear and use it as a motivation to discover the incredible possibilities that lie ahead.

Success is not about being the best. It’s about finding the joy in what you do and making a positive impact on others.

Failure is not the opposite of success. It is a part of the journey toward success.

To truly make a difference in this world, we must be willing to step outside our comfort zones and take risks.

Dare to dream big, and then work relentlessly to turn those dreams into reality.

When I read these quotes, I thought of my love of science. I remember curiously touching some slime on my stirring rod during my biology lab class. It was the first time and only time that I touched DNA. A few tears dropped from my eyes. I was happy. I don’t know if I will ever work in the sciences but I know that I will continue to read articles and books about science.

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Maya Angelou quotes

Angelou (4/4/1928-5/28/2014)  was born as Marguerite Annie Johnson according to Wikipedia. She wrote memoirs and poetry. Her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, describes her childhood experiences of racism, poverty and a rape when she was only eight. She stopped talking for five years after the rape. Then, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son at 16 years old. “Yet despite the tragedy and tumult of her own life, she came to embody unconquerable resilience. (The Book of Gutsy Women, Hillary Clinton Chelsea Clinton). ” I am looking forward to listening to Angelou read her own book through Audible. Here is a video of her speaking on YouTube.

She is on my mind because I just got my set of US American Women quarters. She was the first to be featured in the 2022 set.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   Maya Angelou

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” I painted this quote on two of my rocks.

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

“Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”

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The World According to Mister Rogers

Since I have always liked his quote about “looking for the helpers,” I bought this book from a friends of the library sale.

“Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime’s work, but it’s worth the effort.” (Page 3)

Even though I am 50 years old, I still wonder what I will do when I grow up. I dream of becoming a write/blogger as a side income. Other times, I think about making YouTube videos. But, data analysis, robotics and AI sounds like an interesting field to study and work in. Oh, did I mention human genetics especially gene editing. Too many ideas.

“Some days, doing ‘the best we can’t may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect-on any front- and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else.” (Page 4)

When my depression was bad, I begged God for the energy to get through the day every day. I had no energy to do anything outside of work. This quote is a reminder to me and anyone else who needs it that there will be days like that. Let’s remember to forgive ourselves and others when we can’t seem to get much done.

“There’s no ‘should’ or ‘should not’ when it comes to having feelings. They’re part of who we are and their origins are beyond our control. When we can believe that, we may find it easier to make constructive choices about what to do with those feelings.” (Page 20)

I used to call myself a “crybaby” in my own thinking. When I started therapy, my therapist encouraged me to accept my emotions. I can only manage my emotions if I have accepted my emotions and behaviors. Please understand that I am not saying that all behaviors and emotions are okay. If the behavior or thought doesn’t hurt someone else or violate God’s law, then it is best for me to accept it. This helped me to focus on talking myself into stopping crying rather than obsessing on whether everyone will think that I am a crybaby.

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.” (Page 53)

This quote reminds me that love is working on maintaining and building a relationship even when I feel angry with him/her. I am working on my relationships with my family members and friends.

“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” (Page 79)

The name of this site is Listeninghearts because I have been learning the value of being a listener. I learned about active listening in my studying of addiction counseling. I used to think that I had nothing to offer because I had very little money or material things to donate/use to help others. But, I have been learning that a word of encouragement or a sympathetic ear may be even better than money at times.

“When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way.” (Page 95)

When at technical college, I read an example therapy session in the back of our textbook. The therapist told the client that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It was so logical that even my brain couldn’t argue with it. It reminded me of a book that I read in my university days.It was a book on self-esteem. It focused on helping readers to have a more balanced view of themselves. It had me list my positive and negative traits. It is important that you learn your good and bad traits, your passions and learn to accept yourself.

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors- in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” (Page 136)

“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else- or ever will have-something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” (Page 137)

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Quotes about friendships

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Donna Roberts

I tried to Google Donna Roberts but I found a variety of different people. I have no idea who this Roberts is. This reminded me of when I visited my great aunt at a nursing home with my dad. I doubt that she could remember who we were due to scar tissue from strokes. Yet, she still sang with us. I can’t even remember what the song was. I just remember feeling re-connected with her for just a few moments.

“One who knows how to show and accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.” Sophocles

Sophocles, a Greek play writer, showed an understanding of the importance of kindness. A former co-worker has told me that she can’t accept a gift from me if she can’t reciprocate. Since I have been learning about the blessing of allowing others to help me at times, I can understand her position. However, I must say being a friend involves giving and receiving acts of kindness.

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” Douglas Pagels

“Good friends are like shock absorbers. They help you take the lumps and bumps on the road of life.” Frank Tyger

I will be moving to a new apartment later this month. While I am excited to live there, I am dreading the move. My dad and some of my church friends will be helping me. Friends are the people that we can count on to help us when we need a ride, help moving, someone to care for our pet in our absence or some other need.

Relationships are based on four principles: respect, understanding, acceptance and appreciation.” Mahatma Gandhi (10/02/1869 – 01/30/1948).

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Risk taking quotes

I have always struggled with an aversion to taking risks. I talked to my boss about a pay raise for the first time in my 50 year life this year. I mistakenly focused on my financial desires rather than how my work benefits my employer. But, I am proud that I even had the guts to broach the subject. So, these quotes are mostly for me. Yet, I know that what I struggle with is similar to the struggle of others.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Muhammad Ali

Ali (1942-2016) is an American boxer who took a stand against the Vietnam War. I suspect I will regret not having tried to live my dreams when I die if I don’t take risks once and a while.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out just how far one can go.” TS Eliot (1888-1965)

This quote reminds me of a conversation when I was in university. He pointed out that I could try out acting more confident without actually going to the point of yelling it from a roof top. For those of us who get scared anytime that we request something from an authority figure, it is unlikely for us to go too far.

“Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.” Roy Bennett

Roy T Bennett is an American author and speaker. All of us can fall into the trap of trying to please others such as our parents, spouses or role models. Then, we can lose what we want to do with our lives and time. I think a balance between a person’s dreams and his/her responsibilities is hard to find.

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo

“My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them.”     Ruth Westheimer

Sometimes the news makes me want to stay in bed all day. No reading about another mass shooting. No listening to politicians arguing or lying. Just peaceful solitude. But, I have to come out of my tiny apartment and go to work.

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

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Live On Purpose by Sadie Robertson Huff

I just finished reading this devotional book. Here are some quotes and my thoughts.

“Lord Jesus, show me Your love in the midst of my biggest fears, and give me the courage to risk doing what I am afraid of. Amen”

Guess what I have never done. I have never asked for a pay raise. I hate asking anyone for anything because I fear being rejected. I especially avoid asking an authority figure for things.

“On any given day, you may be super stressed and really want to take a break from everything. But please know that you’re worth a lot more than your feelings will tell you. One day – no matter how rough it is – does not define your life. Your purpose and calling give you an important place in the world. Do not give up. Hold tight to God. There is so much more joy to come and so many people counting on you to keep going. (Pg. 115)

My brain loves to lie to me in this way. I think cognitive behavioral therapy calls this catastrophizing. One or two things go wrong such as a fight with a family member. Then, I start thinking that I can’t get along with anyone. The memories of a lifetime of arguments swirl in my head. Yet, it is impossible for me or anyone to argue all the time. While I sometimes argue in my dreams and wake up angry, I know that I rarely argue at work.

“There are hundreds of comments saying that I sound annoying when I talk. Do these things hurt me? Sure. Because I’m human, and sometimes the comments sting. But I don’t let those little stings stop me from doing what I love to do and from using my voice in the spaces where God opens doors for me to speak. (Pg. 117)”

“Lord, knowing that everybody fails doesn’t make it any easier. So I pray that You would give me the courage to keep doing what You want me to do – even if it means getting roasted. I pray Your voice would be louder than the hate. Amen. (Pg. 117)”

I fear confrontation and worry about what others will think of me. Will they think I am too stupid to do my job? I sometimes think this when I get corrected on how to do something two or three times in an hour. The knowledge that I am learning a new job helps to reduce the thought’s volume and impact until the next correction. I have been at the new job for over two months and have already cried twice. I discovered that I am sensitive about my hand writing. Yet, it is readable.

“The Lord wants to help us strengthen our faith. He understands it’s hard to believe sometimes. So if you’re struggling with faith, I encourage you to ask God to give you the faith to believe. You can also pray that He will give you the strength that you need or that He’ll help you believe that you are loved and that you are enough. Or maybe it goes deeper and you need to ask Him for the faith to believe that your life matters and your breath has purpose. That’s not too far out to ask God for. That’s not too crazy to pray for. It’s exactly what God wants you to do. (Pg. 161)

This quote reminds me of when I was deep in a depression episode. I was praying for strength to get through the work day every morning. By the end of the day, my rational thinking part of my brain was too tired to keep up the fight against the negative thinking side of my brain. It is amazing how much work it is to fight your own brain. I’d just stare at walls or cry due to insufficient mental energy to keep up the fight. Thanks to therapy, medication and God, this time ended. I hope I don’t experience another episode.

“Lord, give me the courage to not let feeling awkward or foolish keep me from using the gifts You have given me. I humble myself to exalt Your name. Amen. (Pg. 199)

God, give me strength and wisdom to serve you and my fellow man through this blog. Amen

I believe that God gave me the gifts of compassion and writing.

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5 Quotes From Anne Frank

Anne Frank (1929-1945) wrote a diary while hiding from the Nazis. I am amazed by how she managed to stay positive in the midst of the Holocaust. I want to be able to stay hopeful no matter what I see in the news and in my personal life like she was.

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is! “

I have always believed that everyone has goodness in them. While I know that we also have an evil side (sinful side), I believe that God created us in His image.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

This mystifies me. I have always dreamed of improving this world.

“Don’t think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains. In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

While I believe that most people are kind and honest in most situations, I doubt I could believe that if I had experienced what she did.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.”

“I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness. I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too. I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”

While Ann Frank didn’t live to see the end of the war, we know that it did end. She had hope in the future.

These quotes are reminding me to hold onto hope in the midst of this strange world. My sister has commented that she feels like we are in a parallel universe while I feel like I am trapped in the Twilight Zone. Pandemic. War in Ukraine. Supply chain problems. Inflation. Overturning of Roe v. Wade. A huge divide here in the US. Mass shootings. My city’s (Waukesha) Christmas parade tragedy. Highland Park parade shooting. Uvalde school shooting.

I found the quotes in Women Know Everything by Karen Weekes.

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Live on Purpose quote

“God’s purpose for each of us is to love others and point them back to Him and His love (pg. 7, Live on Purpose by Sadie Robertson Huff)

I thought God was calling me to be a missionary doctor.

I grew up believing that God had a special call on my life. As time went on, I begged God to reveal His will. I thought that He wanted me to be a missionary doctor in some far away country. I played a game once with an atlas. I closed my eyes and randomly selected a page while asking God to guide my hands. I pointed at a map and opened my eyes to see that I had found a US map rather than some far away mission field. This annoyed me because I didn’t think living in the US with an ordinary job could be a calling.

As I continued to learn the Bible, I discovered that any job can be a calling. The Bible teaches us how to live not what career we should have. Honesty. Loving kindness towards others. Encourage each other. Praying for each other. Living in a Church community. Allowing others to help you when you need it. Reaching out for help when you need it. These are the ways that we live out our calling.

People can have a calling on their life no matter what their job is.

What are you doing to be honest? Are you working to show loving kindness? Encouraging others? Praying for others?

Are you able to allow others to help you? Jesus allowed women to provide Him and His disciples with food and housing. Allowing others to help you is very hard. It feels like you are a burden to that person. Yet, it is part of our calling. Shame and guilt may swirl around in your brain. But, God designed His Church with a command to help each other. No church is perfect but if help is available and you need it, ask. If you need counseling or medications, seek out that help. God made us to live in community rather than in isolation.

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Quotes from Holy Sweat

I love to read and collect quotes. Here are some quotes from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel.

  1. “For life is a mystery to be lived out rather than a problem to be solved.” He states that an anonymous writer wrote this (pg 23).
  2. “In fact, the only real difference between the sacred and the secular is that the secular doesn’t know it’s sacred yet. (pg. 29)
  3. “The shocking message of the Bible continues to be that God has chosen the least suspecting of all vessels to do his greatest work. What you are at this particular moment in your life is irrelevant-your nationality, your education, your personality, or how you are physically, spiritually, and otherwise. Why you are is likewise irrelevant. What counts most is what and who you are willing to become. (pg.31)”
  4. “In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do His work, to bear His glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. If we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualifications, then there’s no danger that we will confuse God’s work with our own or God’s glory with our own.” (pg. 53)
  5. “Holiness is not a state to be attained but a never-ending process–the core of which is the quality of our continually growing relationship with and through Christ. Holiness is not a place, a thing, or a building. Holiness is in the journey, the process, a gift.” (pg. 60)
  6. “One of the things we need to remember constantly is that we can love other people only in direct proportion to the way we love ourselves.” (pg. 100)
  7. “Communion, we must remember, is made up of broken bread and crushed grapes. So, it is in our brokenness and our imperfections, that we are called to come together and help each other be whole-the best we can be.” (pg. 106)
  8. “The Christian life is not difficult. It’s downtown impossible. It’s designed that way. If we could do it through achievements, we wouldn’t need the grace of God.” (pg. 140)

I skipped over quotes by other people. I think this book contains some very good quotes from other people too.