words of wisdom...

[ladyinred]

these quotes are taken from a book on buddhism by Taro Gold,"open your mind ,open your life." My favorites...
"Love,cherish and respect yourself.Become your own best friend and take care of yourself,for you are the only person with whom you will surely have a lifelong relationship."
"Instead of putting others in their place,put yourself in theirs."
"True happiness in life is always found within."
"Necessary evils are never necessary and always evil."
"Ignorance breeds fear.
Fear breeds hate.
Hate breeds violence."
"As force begets resistance,dialogue begets assistance."
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Mahatma Gandhi
"People of great character conduct themselves with dignity, even in times of crisis and despair--they do not complain,panic,or lose hope even under the most difficult circumstances."
" The unity of those associated by mere authority,power or greed is ultimately weak and unstable.In contrast,the unity of those united by the heart--by bonds of respect,honesty,and compassion----is strong and unshakable."
"Mistaking subjective values for objective truth leads to no good."
"Deluded minds discuss people.
Common minds discuss events
Enlightened minds discuss ideas."
"Cease all slander-- both of yourself and others."
"Think for yourself."
" If we wish to eliminate the negative, unhealthy aspects of our lives, we would do well to increase the positive healthy ones. Once strengthened, they will naturally help us transform the negative."
"Create a mission statement for your life."
"Enlightened parenting means bringing up children without ever putting them down."
"Wisdom, courage, and compassion--- three elements of a noble life."
"The rarest form of intelligence is common sense."
"Consider others as yourself."
"Strive to understand what you fear the most."
"Don't believe those who would hold you back."
"Eliminate the poisons of selfishness,ignorance and violence from your life."
"Everything you need to break unhealthy cycles of behavior is within you."
"Nonviolence requires much more courage than violence." Gandhi
"Peace is possible only when reason rules."
"Seek to find the positive in everyone."
"People who live lives of justice invariably face adversity."
" If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life,perhaps it would be thoughtfulness." Confucious

[Emproph]

These one's popped out for me:

"Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in theirs."

"Deluded minds discuss people.
Common minds discuss events
Enlightened minds discuss ideas."

"Nonviolence requires much more courage than violence." Gandhi

" If we wish to eliminate the negative, unhealthy aspects of our lives, we would do well to increase the positive healthy ones. Once strengthened, they will naturally help us transform the negative."

[ladyinred]

I added these quotes for people to read and think about. And if they help you ,I'm so glad...

[kara speltz]

I have so many, it's hard to pick just a few: my favorite Gandhi is: "We must become the change we seek."

My favorite Merton is, "The goal of the spiritual life is not the elimination of struggle, but the sanctification of struggle."

Here's a couple more I sometimes use as "signatures"


"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop
at the border?" -- Pablo Casals


"I love the Bible too much to take it literally." To do so is to
select those passages which fit one's beliefs, not those which challenge one to grow in understanding. It is to use the Bible to keep one from making the changes God seeks in our lives." Karl Barth

"Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you." - Andre Gide

"A Church that doesn't provoke any crisis, a gospel that doesn't unsettle, a word of God that doesn't get under anyone's skin, a word of God that doesn't touch the real sin of society in which it is being proclaimed, what gospel is that?" Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)

I'd love to hear more from others. That's how I got most of these actually; other people sharing something that they felt was significant.

Kara

[ladyinred]

I write alot on these forums about issues that the glbt community face, but also to uplift and inspire people. I feel that many in the glbt have been so demoralized at large by the onslaught of intolerance in society, part of my writing is to help build 'em back up. If you are for tearing down your own, then you serve no constructive cause. I'm not into doing that. I have even said on heterosexist boards that are blatantly anti-gay, I will not betray my own. At the time I had few people backing me up and supporting me. But oh well.. If I add to the spiritual violence and abuse of our own community I would be doing them a big disfavor. That's why I am into building them up not tearing them down. My heart is to reach out to them and help them. I'd also like to add that many of others who have posted here have done the same for me as well. Help build me up... Help me think and inspire me.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by kara speltz

I have so many, it's hard to pick just a few: my favorite Gandhi is: "We must become the change we seek."

Great quotes!

Kara- your Gandhi quote reminded me of something I was telling myself when I met my husband: "To have a prince you have to be a prince." Even though the thought was self-serving- I think the underlying principle is the same. We can't get our answers from 'out there.' It has to come from within.

And then there is this phrase, uttered by one of Oscar Wilde's characters:

"Manners before Morals."

There are numerous instances where I have to remind myself of this!

[marutidas]

My favorite Gandhi quotes are
"Live as today were your last day, Learn as if you would live forever."

"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for, but there no causes that I am prepeared to kill for."

" When I despair, I remember through out history, the ways of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall---think of it, always."

Marutidas