Tuesday ~ 17 December 2013

My successes are not my own. The way to them was prepared by others. The fruit of my labors is not my own: for I am preparing the way for the achievements of another. Nor are my failures my own. They may spring from the failure of another, but they are also compensated for by another's achievement. Therefore the meaning of my life is not to be looked for merely in the sum total of my achievements. It is seen only in the complete integration of my achievements and failures with the achievements and failures of my own generation, and society, and time, and time.

(Thomas Merton, 1915 - 1968)

Monday ~ 16 - December - 2013

Many people are like unto sausages: whatever you stuff them with, that they will bear in them.

(Alexei Tolstoy, 1817 - 1875)

Sunday ~ 15 December 2013

Purge your mind of all aimless and idle thoughts, especially those that pry into the affairs of others or wish them ill. Get in the habit of limiting yourself only to those thoughts that - if you are suddenly asked, "What are you thinking at this moment?" - enable you to reply without equivocation or hesitation, "This" or "That". In this way, you show the world a simple and kindly person, a good neighbor, someone untouched by jealousy, envy, mistrust, or any other thought you would blush to admit.

( Marcus Aurelius, 121 - 180 )