I came across this quote this morning, and was surprised to see it was attributed to Marcus Aurelius.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
I wonder if he really said that…he was a Stoic philosopher concerned with bearing adversity nobly. This quote sounds more like my image of him:
Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
Do either of these quotes appeal to you? Do you have any favorite quotes?
I spent a good part of the day immersed in a jigsaw puzzle… one of my forms of meditation. How was your day?
June 13, 2020
it seems to me that first quote has been said by millions of people, i know i have read that or very similar on a lot of blogs these days.. we are trying to change how we feel because of this chaos we are living in..
I am a Murphy’s law person. my version is If anything can happen it probably will… yes, i know that is not uplifting… but that is how i feel
I’ve always been pessimistic, that’s why I liked Marcus Aurelius when I was in high school. He was a good example of hanging in there when times were tough. I think you’re right that things are going to be tough for us humans for the foreseeable future — they’re already talking about how to be prepared for the next pandemic. 🙁
I don’t have a favorite quote…I think the first here is a good way to greet the day. Not saying I do it all the time, but I know I should.
As to the second quote, I wish I could not worry about the future. Some days I don’t, but even when I do, I always know we will live till we die, one way or the other. I always feel like worry is such wasted energy.
I agree that worry is wasted unless it motivates one to take action. If there’s nothing we can do, then focus on something else. I do a lot of puzzles.
I for sure like the first quote the best. Yes, it seems unlike him. Now I want to see your jigsaw!
It’s only 200 pieces, and when I finish I save it in two parts… I do the two outside rows and columns first, then the inside.
It’s here at Amazon.
I prefer the first quote.
I think my favorite quote is “most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be”. I originally read that it was Benjamin Franklin who said that but then read somewhere else that it wasn’t so I can’t say for sure who actually said it.
I’ve heard it attributed to Lincoln.
I love both quotes, Jean, but I think the 2nd one is my favorite…. for no particular reason I’m aware of.
I have so many favorite quotes that I couldn’t possibly pick out just one but…. I’m very VERY fond of this one:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~Mary Oliver
I love Mary Oliver!
I love Mary Oliver, too!
The BRD sent us a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle which after several weeks is about half done. It’s driving me crazy!
I don’t do puzzles like that! As I said to Ginny above, mine is only 200 pieces, and when I finish I save it in two parts… I do the two outside rows and columns first, then the inside.
I’m fond of some of Eleanor Roosevelt quotes, especially the ones about being strong however any thing is happening…
I’m trying to do what is right for me – which in a way has a lot to do with being “strong” – not in lift up something heavy – but in being strong and stick to my “one step at a time stuff”
of the last few days, making the “supplies” for making cards. Decided that I probably had enough card stock from one way or another – other than cutting up cereal boxes, finding a lot of interesting “card stock” to do that with…
Yes, she wasn’t talking about physical strength, she was talking about persistence, courage, etc,…and you have plenty of that!
I’m always aware of what a precious gift it is being alive. And I agree about meeting the future with the weapon of reason. My favourite quote is probably the serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Yes, that’s a simple and powerful one.