Book Nook Cafe discussion

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

In the Shadow of Man

Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating

Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

My Life with the Chimpanzees

Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink

Same here. I believe i reread parts of the book when the AOL group read it. My copy is well highlighted, as well.

Alias Reader wrote: "

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

In the Shadow of Man

Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating

Wow, what a pithy quote.

[book:Reason for Hope: A Spirit..."

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
~Søren Kierkegaard

Good quote, Alias. My daughter & i were talking about walking (& running, on her part) in nature just yesterday. There is a restorative nature to those outings.

I'm glad you liked the quote, deb. A friend of mine shared it. She has been dealing with cancer for a very long time, she credits in part her beloved dogs and walking for keeping her going.

My sister-in-law, whose been dealing with her brain cancer almost a decade now, also felt walking was beneficial for her. Now she must use a walker and goes out less often but still likes going to parks for short outings. While nature may or may not heal, it certainly comforts our existence in tough times (and good, of course!).

I do believe nature at the very least sooths the mind. Even city dwellers benefit from time in a park, IMO.

My friend lives in NJ and her area has wonderful trails to walk.

Walking is one of my favorite activities. I listen to an audiobook and there is something transformative about it for me.

From book I just read: Lessons in Chemistry

Great quote. It ties in with our nature walks discussion, too, in its own way. Moving, satisfying our souls, sunshine.

Delightfully stated.

Alias Reader wrote: ""

That just about sums me up!

Alias Reader wrote: "

From book I just read: Lessons in Chemistry"

This is wonderful. We all have a sell by date but most of us forget and live in the fog of forever.

Alias Reader wrote: ""

Agreed. So much of how I learned about the world around me is through the written word. It is difficult to imagine the person I would be without it.

Rachel wrote: . We all have a sell by date but most of us forget and live in the fog of forever.
."

I love the way you phrased that, Rachel. It's so very true.

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is eliminate the task.

Downsize. The rooms you don't have, don't need to be cleaned.

Donate. The items you don't own, don't need to be organized.

Delete. The projects you don't take on, don't need to be finished.

Is this a problem that needs to be solved? Or is it a problem that can be eliminated all together?"

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones-James Clear

Marie-Christine Gasingirwa, a director at the Ministry of Education in Rwanda, reminds us that knowledge is a shared experience:

"In life there isn’t a single person that knows everything and there is no person that knows nothing. It’s not too late to learn because you just need to develop that interest, talk to people, share with them what you have and learn from them. There is no breakthrough in this world if you are isolated, you can only make a breakthrough by talking to people.

Source: Guiding the next generation of Rwandan scientists

Award-winning painter, Georgia O'Keefe, suggests optimizing for your interests rather than your happiness:

"I do not like the idea of happiness — it is too momentary. I would say that I was always busy and interested in something — interest has more meaning to me than the idea of happiness."

Source: The Complete Correspondence of Georgia O’Keeffe & Anita Pollitzer

Lovingly, Georgia: The Complete Correspondence of Georgia O'Keeffe and Anita Pollitzer

I have a friend who is downsizing this summer. I'm sending her that task-elimination quote from Atomic Habits. Succinctly written. Thanks.

I agree with O'Keeffe's statement. Interests are satisfying...as long as we don't have so many we need to downsize. ;-)

I love the O'Keefe quote because happiness is momentary having interests keeps a person vibrant and not so dependent on conditions on a particular day.

I saw a quote today that said
"Go the extra mile, it's never crowded there."

Rachel wrote: "I love the O'Keefe quote because happiness is momentary having interests keeps a person vibrant and not so dependent on conditions on a particular day."

Exactly, Rachel!

I like that "extra mile" quote. Something to consider.

madrano wrote: "Interests are satisfying...as long as we don't have so many we need to downsize. ;-)
..."

lol

Rachel wrote: "I love the O'Keefe quote because happiness is momentary having interests keeps a person vibrant and not so dependent on conditions on a particular day."

Very true. Perhaps a good reason to take up a hobby, take classes etc.

Rachel wrote: "I saw a quote today that said
"Go the extra mile, it's never crowded there.""

Perfect ! 💙

"There are many situations in life you do not control, but you often contribute to them.

I cannot control the rain, but I can control my clothing.

I cannot control your feelings, but I can control my kindness.

I cannot control my opponent, but I can control my response.

You cannot control most outcomes in life, but you can usually influence them. Releasing your attachment to the results does not mean releasing your responsibility to the situation."

​Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones-James Clear

"Keeping the habit alive is a powerful act. It's easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. It's easier to keep a house clean than to get it clean.

Many days it may feel like you are treading water, but maintaining your progress saves your future self a great deal of work."

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones-James Clear

"Do not confuse things that are hard with things that are valuable.

Many things in life are hard. Just because you are giving a great effort does not mean you are working toward a great result.

Make sure that mountain is worth climbing."

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones-James Clear

Better Living through Inspired Quotes!

Thank you.

Alias Reader wrote: ""Do not confuse things that are hard with things that are valuable.

Many things in life are hard. Just because you are giving a great effort does not mean you are working toward a great result.

M..."

Another great quote! As the great philosopher Kenny Rogers said" you've got to know when to hold'em and when to fold 'em."

:)

It is not always easy to know, in the moment, whether the project is worth the effort. Sometimes it takes a while.

Indeed. Even when a person has abandoned a project, years later it returns to make the effort worthwhile. No predicting.

Oprah Winfrey
“Every year should teach you something valuable; whether you get the lesson is up to you. Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self.”

Rachel, I can't argue with that ... except that I hope to learn many somethings in the course of a year.

Rachel wrote: "Oprah Winfrey
“Every year should teach you something valuable; whether you get the lesson is up to you. Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self.”"

Gretchen Rubin mentioned looking at the year in quarters. This way you get 4 reboots. I like that idea. Rachel, using your quote it would also be a good time to reflect.

Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Oprah Winfrey
“Every year should teach you something valuable; whether you get the lesson is up to you. Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self.”"

Gret..."

Being able to start over anytime you want to is a great idea. Who has not struggled with a bad day, week or so on.

Rachel wrote: "
Being able to start over anytime you want to is a great idea. Who has not struggled with a bad day, week or so on..."

Absolutely !

Gretchen was particularly addressing New Year's resolutions. Once people stumble a bit they quit. If they looked at the year in quarters, much like a business does, it's much easier to evaluate what the issues are and get back on track.

The idea of quarters gives a person 3 times to start over which is great. Sometimes if a person has not done whatever it is, they may not really want to do it. It is much harder to do things that we "should" instead of want to sincerely. It also gives the opportunity to reevaluate our goals. I am all for positive reinforcement rather than chastising.

Yes! One of the best parts of looking at quarters is being able to renew promises, tackling the same problem from a different angle, if necessary.

Being able to find a new angle is so important. Sometimes when there is an issue to put it aside for a bit and look at it with fresh eyes, it can be a game changer. Too often in life instead of looking at non success as a new chance, I had looked at it as a reason to feel bad, I wish my now self could have a chat with my childhood self. I wonder if I would listen to my advice?

Excellent question. We always think that if we heard advice from our older selves when younger, we would heed it. But, would we? There is something to be said for experiencing things first hand. Part of this comes from having had a grandmother who was free with her advice. I don't think i listened much to her thoughts because...well, she was old and her notions were outdated. :-(

Certainly. Every generation thinks they are inventing everything and that no one old knows anything. This must be the case from ancient times until now. I always say to my friends that everyone has the solutions to others'problems but for their own not so much. Quite the paradox, don't you agree?

madrano wrote: "Excellent question. We always think that if we heard advice from our older selves when younger, we would heed it. But, would we? There is something to be said for experiencing things first hand. Pa..."

I would never heed advice from my old self!! I would like to make the same mistakes maybe in a different way if I get to live my life all over again!!

Rachel, i agree. It's sad when a person realizes this yet seems unable to overcome that very fact.

Prosenjit wrote: "I would never heed advice from my old self!! I would like to make the same mistakes maybe in a different way if I get to live my life all over again!!..."

I like that attitude, Prosenjit! I hadn't thought of it in that way but it makes sense. Learning from our own mistakes is the way to go, even when it means they'll still be mistakes. Thanks.

Plus, it seems to be at this end that some of the things I thought were mistakes turned out to be very beneficial because at least for me, they led to self reflection.

I will laughingly state that "I hate when that happens". I end up proving myself wrong, which is a bummer. :-) But you are totally correct, sometimes the benefits are jaw dropping.

What advice would you give yourself today from the self you are?
My advice to me would be RELAX. I do not have to prove myself or improve myself. I am fine the way I am. Now will I listen?