We rely upon the poets the philosophers

We rely upon the poets the philosophers and the playwrights to articulate what most of us can only feel in joy or sorrow. They illuminate the thoughts for which we only grope. They give us the strength and balm we cannot find in ourselves. Whenever I find my courage wavering I rush to them. They give me the wisdom of acceptance the will and resilience to push on.

— Helen Hayes

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Purpose

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.

Kurt Vonnegut (The Sirens of Titan)

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Move Forward

There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them. You can meet the challenges, you can overcome those obstacles, you can achieve success by boldly stepping forward. Once you do, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated.

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Stop Self Pity

Let that experience of feeling sorry for yourself drop away from you. It's a useless artifact of your past, so abandon it. Put the energy it was previously consuming toward more productive purposes. Use it to move yourself toward where you desire to be.

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push yourself

Either you can choose to keep reminding yourself of what's bad about your life, or you can choose to push yourself to those things that are, and those things that can be, good and positive and enjoyable and truly fulfilling.

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new understanding

Be at peace with silence, and you'll hear clearly the song of your own purpose. Allow yourself to be confused, and you'll find yourself with new understanding.

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accomplish anything you choose

Imagine being completely intrigued, and so passionate about something that you simply can't get too much of it. When you can do that in some particular field of expertise or endeavor, you can accomplish anything you choose to accomplish in that area.

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give your life outstanding richness

You're already skilled at accomplishing what you decide to accomplish. Now is when you can choose to focus your efforts on reaching for the dreams that will give your life outstanding richness.

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Allow yourself the powerful confidence

Instead of needing what you desire, treasure the desire itself and the opportunity to fulfill that desire. Allow yourself the powerful confidence that comes from having enough, and from that confidence will come even more.

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Putting things in order

Think about the things you've been meaning to do, but keep putting off. They're the things that can make the biggest difference in your life. Chances are, you've put off some of them for so long that you've forgotten about them. Dig them back up. Find a way to keep them at the center of your attention. Keep yourself busy with the important things.

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Don't Worry

Pay attention to what you know without a doubt but cannot explain. Be reasonable while knowing that there is also much value beyond reason.

Find treasures in the rich world of material and sensation, and delight in them. Yet keep in mind that those treasures are mere tokens of the real treasure that is your very existence.

Be joyful for everything and for no reason at all. The joy that endures is the joy that flows freely from your desire to experience it.

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Smile

Smile as you speak, and your voice will be more confident, enthusiastic and convincing. Even when you're talking over the phone and the person at the other end can't see you, a smile adds noticeable value to the conversation.

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Better

No matter how good life has been, it is getting even better. No matter what challenges may push against you, each moment brings more of life's goodness.

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Make Time

Show your love to someone special, not merely with your words, but with your time. Instead of rushing right past life's beauty, make time to truly enjoy the wonders with which this day is filled.

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Faith

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor to measure words but to pour them all out, just as it is, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keeping what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away. -- George Elliot

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Keep trying

I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed; and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying. -- Tom Hopkins

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Life's journey

On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. -- Buddha

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No failing

The only people who never fail are those who never try.

Ilka Chase

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resonate with inspiration

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.

Jim Jarmusch

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Loneliness is the human condition

Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. And intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you’ll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.

“White Oleander” by Janet Fitch

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