Words of Encouragement (license, the best, to live, military)

[Adream]

To anyone who is mustering the courage to change something in their lives, which is why many of us are on this message board - I offer this quotation, which has given me much strength over the years. It isn't always easy to make changes, but when you hold a higher vision for yourself, it is a call you can't ignore.

[CENTER] "I learned this, that if you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams,
and endeavor to live the life which you have imagined,
you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
You will put some things behind, you will pass an invisible boundary,
new, universal and more liberal laws will begin to establish themselves around and within you;
or the old laws will be expanded,
and interpreted in your favor in a more liberal sense,
and you will live with the license of a higher order of beings." [/CENTER][CENTER]~Henry David Thoreau[/CENTER]

If you have a quotation that you have found helpful in your life, please share it! Thanks!

[Marks]

Originally Posted by Adream

If you have a quotation that you have found helpful in your life, please share it!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

[doublet]

Adream~
What wise words...and very meaningful for this forum!! I'm saving that one, for sure! Thank you for sharing it. Here's a short one, but one of my faves...

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. " ~ Anais Nin

[exhdo1]

Some military words of wisdom I've picked up!

"When The Pin Is Pulled, Mr. Grenade Is Not Our Friend."
"If The Enemy Is In Range, So Are You."
"Try To Look Unimportant; The Enemy May Be Low On Ammo."
"Five-Second Fuses Only Last Three Seconds."
"If Your Attack Is Going Too Well, You're Walking Into An Ambush."
"Never Tell The Platoon Sergeant You Have Nothing To Do."
"If You See A Bomb Technician Running, Try To Keep Up With Him."
"Tracers Work Both Ways."
"It Is Generally Inadvisable To Parachute Directly Over The Area You Just Bombed."

[grace1202]

"The real test of a man (or woman) is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him." - Vaclav Havel

[MidniteBreeze]

My 9th grade driver's ed teacher, Mr. Foxley (really!):

"Always leave yourself an out."

Of course he was referring to driving and always having an "escape" plan, but I think it applies to life too...even though it may not seem like it, you always have a choice and you should never let yourself get "stuck."

For more on the whole notion of choice, I highly recommend the book Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. He was a concentration camp survivor turned psychologist who believed that even in the most dire of circumstances, you always have the freedom to choose your attitude...it's the one human right that no one can take from you. Very deep stuff, but a surprisingly short read.

[Adream]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

My 9th grade driver's ed teacher, Mr. Foxley (really!):

"Always leave yourself an out."

Of course he was referring to driving and always having an "escape" plan, but I think it applies to life too...even though it may not seem like it, you always have a choice and you should never let yourself get "stuck."

For more on the whole notion of choice, I highly recommend the book Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. He was a concentration camp survivor turned psychologist who believed that even in the most dire of circumstances, you always have the freedom to choose your attitude...it's the one human right that no one can take from you. Very deep stuff, but a surprisingly short read.

Checked Amazon for the book and added it to my shopping list. Thanks for the recommendation, MidniteBreeze - it is sure to be a compelling and inspiring book. It's been in print in English for 40+ years, I wonder why I've never read this.

I completely agree, we make choices every single day that creates the life we live. Big choices and small, mundane choices. Surely the quality of our life is worth making a choice to live it the best we can, and do what it takes to make that happen. The place to start is found right between the ears!

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by Marks

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

That is a good one. And so is Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He had done. If you do this you will experiance God's peace which if far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds asyou live in Christ Jesus.

Just thought I should add I think the best words of encouragement to me come from the Bible. Everytime I read it I feel a peace that I cannot get from anything else or anyone. My favorite verse is Jere 29:11....read it.

[GrannyLois]

midnightbreeze, I had forgotten all about Frankl's book - what a profound book that was in my life. I highly recommend it to all !

[RAINBOWWAVES]

My father used to say, Growing old is a privledge denied many..