Wednesday 28 August 2013

Words to live by

Once in a while, a piece of prose takes my breath away.  The first was Desiderata (and what a story behind those words originally thought to be 1692 wisdom).  Then a friend posted the Holstee Manifesto on her blog....

This is your life. Do what you want and do it often.
If you don't like something, change it.
If you don't like your job, quit.
If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over-analysing, life is simple.
All emotions are beautiful.
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Life is simple.
Open your heart, mind and arms to new things and people, we are united in our differences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.
Life is short, live your dream and wear your passion.

And prior to thousands of primary school pupils writing evocative compositions.... the opening sentence of "Jonathan Livingstone Seagull" moved me

It was morning, and the new sun sparkled gold across the ripples of a gentle sea.

and this one.... so fierce that the words leap off the page into the throat to jolt one awake

Self-Pity
By D.H. Lawrence

I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself.

No comments:

Post a Comment