A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Saturday 31 December 2011

Invincible Summer

A thousand thanks for the many wise words and quotations you left in my comments' box. Here they all are, collected together:

Prompt me, God;
but not yet...
the meaning is in the waiting.
RS THOMAS

... all will be well and all will be well and all manner of things shall be well... ST JULIAN OF NORWICH

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. HENRY VAN DYKE

Mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it. SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ

Try it, what's the worst that could happen? UNATTRIBUTED

Things are in the saddle, / And ride mankind. RALPH WALDO EMERSON

I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive. JOSEPH CAMPBELL

This moment is eternal. UNATTRIBUTED

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. PHILO OF ALEXANDRIA

Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
APACHE WEDDING BLESSING

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. HENRY DAVID THOREAU

You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing. UNATTRIBUTED

Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. JOHN O'DONOHUE

I will add just one more of my own:

In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer. ALBERT CAMUS

I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and may we always feel the warmth of that invincible summer in our hearts.

17 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

A very happy new year to you all down there.

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks, Pat! Mmm... happy would be good!

Suman said...

That's a lovely collection there, the Camus quote being one of my favorites.
Wish you a fabulous 2012. And I love the new header, so very sunny and cheerful.

George said...

Great fun and great wisdom, Robert. I also love that Camus quote. What more do we need than a small invincible summer to carry in our heart. Happy New Year to you and your family!

The Solitary Walker said...

Wish you the same, Suman!

The Solitary Walker said...

And George — Happy New Year to you, and all your loved ones!

ksam said...

Happy New Year!! So looking forward to seen what it will bring for all of us!! Thanks for all you, we, have shared over this year!! Blessings to you and yours!

Alive said...

May 2012 bring many fruitful journeys for us all.

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, the Camus one is good. Where is it from? Anything specific?

am said...

Kind wishes for the New Year to you and your family! For a moment, I couldn't find the invincible summer within me. Then I remembered and found Yosemite Valley in the late summer of 2008 in my heart. Thank you!

Ruth said...

How cozy I feel reading all these words together, given you by your friends.

A beautiful New Year to you and your loved ones, Robert!

Grace said...

oooh, I like this one:

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. HENRY VAN DYKE

Thanks for putting them all together in this post

Ruth said...

I must have written a comment in my head, and then my spotty Internet connection at home prevented me posting it. I like seeing all the quotes lined up in cosy litany.

May your year be abundant with walking and discovery. I look forward to traveling with you!

Goat said...

I love the Campbell and the Camus the most. Have a great 2012, SW.

Luiza said...

Shopping for a Journal at Barnes & Noble today I saw this quote, 'The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. by Saint Augustine.'.

I thought it apt for us travelers.

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks for all these further comments — and a belated Happy New Year to everyone!

Simon Lang said...

Lovely site. However, Julian of Norwich has never been canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, and therefore cannot be called, "Saint," as God has not yet provided three irrevocable proofs that she actually is in Heaven. She is properly called, "The Lady Julian of Norwich", and was a mystic and writer who was tremendously helpful to the Franciscan Friars Minor.

Keep up the lovely quotations. Here's attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: "By passionately believing in that which does not exist, WE CREATE IT. That which does not yet exist has not been sufficiently desired."

Think about that one, my friends.