Saturday ~ February 16, 2019

We ask ourselves why terrible obstacles should be placed in our path. We cannot but wonder at times why we cannot have smooth sailing instead of being compelled always to fight against adverse winds and rough seas. No doubt the reason is that character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, and ambition inspired, and success achieved.

(Helen Keller, 1880 - 1968)

Friday ~ February 15, 2019

Here is a glass of water from my well.
It tastes of rock and root and earth and rain;
It is the best I have, my only spell,
And it is cold, and better than champagne.
Perhaps someone will pass this house one day
To drink and be restored, and go [her] way.
Someone in dark confusion as I was
When I drank cold water in a glass,
Drank transparent health to keep me sane,
 After the bitter mood had gone again.

(May Sarton, 1912 - 1995)

Thursday ~ February 14, 2019

Here is a mystery. If sweeping through the door of my heart there moves continually a genuine love for you, it bypasses all your hate and all your indifference and gets through to you at your center. You are powerless to do anything about it. You may keep alive in devious ways the fires of your bitter heart, but they cannot get through to me. Underneath the surface of all the tension, something else is at work. It is utterly impossible for you to keep another from loving you.

(Howard Thurman, 1899 - 1981)

Wednesday ~ February 13, 2019

I walked a mile with pleasure;
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow
and ne'er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me!

(Robert Browning Hamilton, 1812 - 1889)

Tuesday ~ February 12, 2019

The first tenet of the free person's faith is that our ultimate dependence for being and freedom is upon a creative power and upon processes not of our own making. Our ultimate faith is not in ourselves.

Work Principle of The Day... 5.1B

Remember that everyone has opinions and they are Often Bad.