If I haven’t made it obvious yet, I am a lover of quotes. And while I savor the sweet utterances of my youngest children especially, that isn’t the kind of quote I’m talking about here. A phrase well thought out and expressed can be transformative. When I happen upon such a sentence or paragraph, some small part of me is permanently altered. A good quote can lift a burdened spirit, cause a turn in direction or simply offer a needed change in perspective.
Over the past couple years I began collecting some of my favorite quotes. The best of the best deserve to be read over and over again, after all. A good quote is timeless; what it means to someone during one sequence of life can change as that life changes. We fit the best quotes to our own lives, to our own experiences, and thereby amplify their initial impact.
The power of words never fails to astound me. Words can build up or tear down. I’d like to make mine the building kind whenever possible. Sometimes, I will use my own words to do that, and sometimes, only those of another will do.
When I read the following quote, I think of: each member of my family, my own inner child, and all of you. And I delight in the fact that we are all here together in this particular time.
At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique human being; only once on this earth, and by no extraordinary chance, will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is ever be put together a second time. — Nietzche
What a lovely quotation. Thank you for sharing. You have a lovely way with words, I can see what you and Emilie found so wonderful about each other. 🙂
Liz,
Thank you so much. I only wish our crossing could have been longer, but I know everyone who loved her feels that way. 🙂
As these things go, your post today has prompted more thoughts from me, so…in the future, I am going to be writing about “life in the hospital post pregnancy.” Thanks for the inspiration, and best of luck to you in your pregnancy!
Love the quote–and from Niet., of all people! Actually, I came across another quote of his I think you might appreciate these days, as i did: “The one who has a WHY to live can bear with almost any HOW.”
Barbara, very thought-provoking indeed. Thank you! So true, too. Speaking of good quotes, you have one on your blog that I have been so drawn to lately and will probably “borrow” at some point — it’s the one on your home page (I believe). It really strikes me every time I read it, especially since Emilie’s passing. Anytime you find a good quote, send it my way. I’ll be a happy recipient of a good quote-share.