Essentially, a story....

"You've got to dance like there's nobody watching, and love like it is never gonna hurt."

A friend sent me the pic above...just like him to share such things... that matter. I think I'll declare this the official Quote Blog today. Some favorites of mine, perhaps mixed in with some you all comment with. Totally interactive today- Hey! We might even learn something or two, and turn around and share it with the folks around us. Except the teens- they don't listen, I usually copy things and leave it in the bathroom- if I want them to absorb a wisdom- best place I know to get their attention. It works...rarely. There is a sign in the bathroom: NOTICE: Changing the toilet paper roll WILL NOT cause brain damage!
That sign only reaffirms their belief that they must rebel- they now leave a toilet paper roll right above the sign. Precious angels.

The acid of bitterness eats the container that holds it.

Long enough have you timidly waded, holding a plank by the shore,
Now I will you to be a bold swimmer...from song of myself-Walt Whitman

"Look with the eyes of your soul and engage the essential," teaching of the Q'ero

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. Dr. seuss

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down."

"...Child of our time -haven't you found the right shell for your soul?" Edith Sodergran

"Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it." -- James Truslow Adams

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." -- Rachel Louise Carson

"I do believe love is blind....sometimes I think it has to be." truewonder

There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton

"Some tension is necessary for the soul to grow, and we can put that tension to good use. We can look for every opportunity to give and receive love, to appreciate nature, to heal our wounds and the wounds of others, to forgive, and to serve." -- Joan Borysenko

Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with the people the same happiness. Kahlil Gibran

"...And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should..." Desiderata Max Ehrrman

"Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee." Mary Baker Eddy

“I’m really advertising to the public how easy it is to be good without an attitude; it’s just as easy to show decency as it is to hate today.”The Pigeon Man, Mr. Zeman

Essentially, a story expresses how and why life changes. --Robert McKee

Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, "We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella." Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell about the big terrible things they've done and the big wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey... and he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back; but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us.

and also...
"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." Elwood P. Dowd/Jimmy Stewart in Harvey

"Love many trust few and always paddle your own canoe." Not sure who said this, but it sure speaks well to me.

Thanks for sticking around-hope you will enlighten too...with some of your own favorite quotes. Take care-

(Oh my favorite...can't leave it out, wear it around my wrist..from beyond...)
...If you give up the time, your soul will play the song..."
Beau G. Robbins-USMC-Corporal-Wonderous son-(found in his journal, after...)

True grit

Good Morning to you und you und you...Went to confession last night (Grandma's house)-felt like airing my soul out, guess I needed to. And she needed some chores done-I felt like I should put everything on hold to aid her, because-well, I'm a good person. Just kidding, my house is a mess after the "Big Day", and my priorities shifted real quick when she called, I was more than happy to attend to her needs and leave mine wholly undone. We got to talking, me mostly-and we shared what only women share between them-this lady is an independent one, always has been. She use to scare me, for you did not want to make this one mad-she could reduce you to a puddle with a stern glare, you did not want to go beyond that glare...total evaporation of what one might feel is a childish right to screw up now and then. Ha! She'd set you straight and nail you like a ten penny. Anyway, she's a hero of mine, I like her more everyday, and I love her like no other. We have to attend a memorial Saturday and well, we don't want to go really...we don't do sad well. But the service is in honor of a beauty, a lady who remained so all her life, top of the tree type-so for her and her young un' we will go. And dress the part. Grandma at such and such an age...cleans up real good, and I look so unfamiliar dressed up that, well...most people comment. "Geez, look at you! Didn't recognize you!" Then I get all red in the face and pretend like I'm a natural grown woman, and I start to make weird noises that sound alot like excuses, look at my hands alot, notice my nails aren't quite as clean or manicured as a ladies should be, shove my hands in my pocket and start to whistle. "Oh, there you are!" They say, now they notice me, only a bit more decorated but still Terry, the tomboy. And my dad will go too, he's driving-he's a tough old tender bird, and he'll cry-the man would rather fall out of a tree stand than tear up, it is hard to watch-does his pride no good to be seen like that, so...I'll look away. And the family, my favorite part of our vast bloodline, will be there-for them too, we'll go. And eat, drink, and believe it or not...at some point we will all be merry together, for Pat who flew away a couple of weeks ago. She taught me more about being a woman than anyone who comes to mind. "Stand up straight, stick your chest out, chin up-stick your heiney out too girl. Don't look at the ground, eyes up front, look 'em in the eye, Terry-don't forget that, look 'em in the eye." At 11 or 12, walking down a back road along the little Wabash river-getting life and posture lessons from a woman who cared enough about my timid little tomboy soul, to set me straight. To this day, my posture is good. Thanks Pat, you made a good difference here-how bright the heavens must be now, how less lit up it is around the little Wabash...but the memory, the shapes drifting down that road, bright as ever. Take care-