quote of the day Archives - Page 8 of 8

Wednesday

17

February 2016

Hope Reflected: Consistency

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

If you’ve ever lived near, or gone on vacation and stayed at the beach, one of the most exceptional experiences is to watch the sunrise over the ocean. There’s something so majestic about the slow, gradual spread of vibrant colours over the water. Everything is still, with the exception of a few morning birds and waves coming into shore. That’s the miracle of nature. Even if we can’t see it, every day there will be a sunrise and a sunset, day in, day out, week after week, month after month, year after year.

While change is inevitable, each one of us can make the choice to remain consistent – in our faith, relationships, and work. Aristotle once said, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Let’s face it – you can’t create habits without consistency.

Three facts about the power of consistency:

Consistency is one of the keys to success. There’s a difference in being persistent and being consistent. As the old adage goes, “If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it.” Consistent people are often more successful, and that’s a fact.
Consistency requires patience. Greatness is never achieved in just one single act; it’s what we do with each day that we’re given that counts. Awesome achievements require time.
Consistency proves people. Remember the saying “don’t trust words, question actions, but never doubt patterns”? We’ve probably all been there at some point or other. See #1, but someone who’s consistently inconsistent? Oy vey.

While it’s impossible for anyone to be as consistent as the sunrise and sunset, each of us can make the choice to be more consistent in the things that matter. And beware when you choose consistency – there will always be people who say consistency is boring or uninteresting. Those are shortsighted opinions. You can still be spontaneous once in a while even whilst you’re living with consistency!

Tuesday

16

February 2016

5 Truths for Life from Proverbs 29

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

About ten years ago, I was given some of the best advice: Read a Proverb a day. For anyone just starting their spiritual walk, or even for those who are mature in their faith, there are so many simple truths for life found in the book of Proverbs.

Each chapter of Proverbs contains so much wisdom, which is just as practical today as when some of the Proverbs were first written as early as 900 B.C. Last week, I was inspired by five simple truths I found in Proverbs 29:

Be compassionate towards those less fortunate than you. Proverbs 29:7 (NKJV) “The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked does not understand such knowledge.” No matter how bad you think things are, there is always someone less fortunate than you. We can’t all be Mother Teresa, but we can all show compassion and lend a helping hand to others.
Watch your mouth. Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV) “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” Ever meet someone who is constantly talking, and doesn’t seem to know when to be quiet? There’s always someone who loves the sound of his or her own voice, and never takes the time to listen to others and learn from them. Don’t be that person.
Plan ahead, set goals, and pursue your dreams. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” To accomplish anything in life, each of us needs to plan ahead and set goals. Sometimes spontaneity is good, however proper planning demonstrates responsibility. That’s not to say you’ve got to be super serious and no fun – it’s all about living a balanced lifestyle.
Think before you speak. Proverbs 29:20 (KJV) “Seest thou a man hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” [See also #2 above.] There’s something to be said about knowing when to speak and when to listen. Ever left a conversation and thought, “I shouldn’t have said that!” – yeah, pretty sure we all have. There’s a proper time and occasion to express your emotions. Be mindful of what and when you share. If we’re always talking all the time, we can’t hear what others have to say.
Learn to control your emotions. Proverbs 29:22 (KJV) “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” You know that feeling when you just can’t hold back the ugly cry? UGH! We’ve all been there. It’s important to remember that how we display our emotions can have a direct effect on those around us – family members, friends, co-workers – that’s why it’s important to keep our “feelings” in check. It’s way easier said than done to control our actions – and our reactions – to what others say and do, but it sure is important!

Originally published as “5 Simple Truths for Life from Proverbs 29”. Minto Express. April 8, 2015: 5. Print.

Friday

12

February 2016

Hope Reflected: What Goes In, Must Come Out

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Whether it’s the snow melting, or the birds singing, several people have said over the past week that they’re feeling invigorated and inspired.

Inspire. What a word! First used in the 1300s, the word inspire comes from the Latin inspirare, meaning, “inspire, inflame, blow into,” from in “in” and spirare “to breathe”.[1] Another definition comes from the French inspiracion, meaning “inhaling, breathing in; inspiration.” When we are inspired – whether by a person, place, or thing, – we are stimulated, excited, and influenced. The word inspire is the breathing in of something and actually being affected by it. When it’s put in such vivid terms, I can’t help but think about what inspires me. There are so many people, so many places, and so many things that I would count as inspirations. And while I’m a person who by nature has a fairly positive outlook on life (my name is Hope, hello), I can’t help but think about what inspires angry people, or those with a particularly pessimistic attitude. Sure, some of it might be built into their nature, but ultimately, we’re all influenced and inspired in some way, by something.

If you’re a computer science type, you’re familiar with GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). The information a computer outputs depends entirely on the input. Not to draw a parallel between computers and humans, but same story when it comes to us. What we allow into our minds and our hearts through the gates of our eyes and our ears will inevitably come out and be displayed through our actions and the words that come out of our mouths. Have you ever met someone who has a bad attitude or who’s “mad at the world”? Chances are, they really don’t censor much of what they let their eyes see and their ears hear. If you listen to intense, anger-filled music, be prepared to have an intense, angry outlook. Watch violent and profanity-filled films? You put yourself at risk to become desensitized, or even a producer of those behaviors and words in your own life. It’s like food poisoning, really. If you eat contaminated food, well, be prepared for what’s going to come out…

It’s inevitable through life that we’re going to see things that we’d rather not see, and hear things we’d rather not hear, but does that mean we shouldn’t be proactive and protect ourselves? Absolutely not! We should all establish safeguards against potential negative influences. If you know that certain genres of music elicit feelings of depression, anger, or sadness in you, don’t listen to that music! Same with movies and TV; if you know that show will cause you to think about things you’d rather not consider, then don’t watch it. Each of us has a responsibility to protect and nurture our hearts and minds. That goes for real life, too. If you’re someone who enjoys listening to the “coffee shop talk” and hearing critical assessments of your peers, you put yourself at risk to pick out the faults in others and speak critically. If you wouldn’t say it to that person’s face, you definitely shouldn’t be saying it behind his or her back.

Just like the law of gravity, (what goes up must come down), we’ve all got to be careful the spiritual truth of what goes in must come out. There’s a verse that I love that talks about dwelling on the right things. In chapter 4 verse 8 of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he encourages them to think positively, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – mediate on these things.”

Originally published as “What Goes In Must Come Out”. Minto Express. March 25, 2015: 5. Print.

[1] inspire. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inspire (accessed: March 20, 2015).

Thursday

11

February 2016

Hope Reflected: 3 Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

After my last column, 5 Ways to Use Your Time More Wisely , I had a few comments on the topic of procrastination, from friends who struggle with putting things off until the last minute. I, too, struggle with procrastination on occasion, in fact, I’d venture to say that procrastination is a bad habit that everyone gets into at least once in their life.

We each have our own reasons for putting things off, whether it’s in our personal or professional lives. Some people are afraid of failure, some people are easily distracted, some people don’t like dealing with “feelings”, and some people think they thrive under pressure.

The word procrastination itself first originated in the 1540s, from the Latin procrastinationem, “a putting off from day to day.”[1] Procrastination is not a new habit; in fact, people have been putting things off since at least Biblical times. Ever notice how procrastination is referenced several times throughout the Bible? In Proverbs 3:28 “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’ – when you have it with you,” or Proverbs 20:4 “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing,” or even Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Procrastination is something society has struggled with for ages.

There are several ways to eliminate procrastination from your lifestyle. Here are three ways to stop procrastinating:

Give yourself a deadline. Even if it’s self-imposed, give yourself deadlines to complete projects. Hey, you may even want to share with your friends or family for the accountability factor. If you’re someone who “works better under pressure”, then a self-imposed deadline should really help get you going.
Get over your fear of failure. If you’re procrastinating because you’re afraid that by attempting a task or project, or by confronting a feeling that you’re going to fail or face rejection, get over yourself. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” You’ll never know if you don’t try! There comes a time when you just have to accept uncertainties and give it your best shot. Also, wisdom from Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Go ahead and take the first step. Even if it’s a small step, getting started is one of the keys to combating procrastination. Sure, the project may seem impossible. So break it down into manageable tasks, so when you accomplish a little bit, you’ll be inspired to continue working.

If procrastination is a habit you’re trying to get out of, put it in perspective. Not only does procrastination affect your present, it can also have lasting implications on the rest of your life. Remember, “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Whatever you’re procrastinating and putting off, take a step and get started. You’ll thank yourself tomorrow!

Originally published as “3 Ways to Stop Procrastinating”. Minto Express. March 11, 2015: 5. Print.

[1] procrastination. Dictionary.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/procrastination (accessed: March 05, 2015).

Monday

2

March 2015

Hope, She Wrote: 3 Ways to Achieve Your Goals

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work, Uncategorized

It was C.S. Lewis who said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Dreams and goals are great, but it’s important to remember that you’ve got to back them up with action. Remember back to New Year’s Eve, that magical evening just a couple of short months ago, when people were all pumped full of new energy (and some full of champagne), making biiig plans for 2015? Committing that this was going to be the year of big life changes — getting fit, pursuing new career goals, starting to volunteer, developing healthy eating habits, reading more books — and living your best life? Yeah!!! I remember New Year’s Eve, too.

So… how are your goals going? If you made resolutions, are you still on the right road? If you’ve strayed, or even if you’ve completely fallen off the wagon — whether it be fit/work/volunteer/food, — you’re not alone. Usually it’s about this time in the ‘new’ year when people start to lose track of their goals and their original focus.

If you’re someone who’s lost focus of your goals, here are three ways to help you achieve your goals and get motivated:

Tell someone about it. One of the best ways to achieve your goals: Be accountable to someone. Whether it’s through your social network, a peer group, or on a more private scale with an individual pursuing a similar goal, making yourself accountable is a great way to help you maintain focus and stay on the right track.
Be realistic, and be positive. Being real about your goals may require re-evaluation of your resolutions. The old adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is true, especially when it comes to pursuing your goals. Yes, goals should be challenging; they shouldn’t be impossible. Pursuing goals takes patience, and hard work. If you slip up along the way or make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes can be stepping-stones on the road to success, as long as you learn from them and use them to grow. Having a positive attitude will help you to remain focused.
Set a due date. It’s easy at the start of a new year, or when you set a new goal to say, “I want to lose weight”, or, “I want to eat healthy”. But being generic and vague about your goals or resolutions is no way to actively pursue them. You’ve got to put some numbers to it. Make a timeline and pace yourself — where do you aim to be in three months? Six months? One year? How long will it realistically take to achieve your goals? Giving yourself a due date, or having a set of specific target steps in mind with a completion date, will help you successfully achieve your goals.

I love this quote by author and filmmaker Greg S. Reid: “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” Whatever goals and resolutions you’re pursuing in 2015, remember — achieving your goals is possible with the right attitude and actions!

Originally published as “3 Ways to Achieve Your Goals”. Minto Express. 28 January 2015: 5. Print.

Thursday

1

January 2015

Verses About Courage

Written by H, Posted in Uncategorized

Ah, the fresh energy that comes with the commencement of a new year! For many, January 1 marks a clean slate to commit to better living. January 1 can also be a time to reflect on everything — triumphs and tragedies, highs and lows, — we’ve been through the past year. There will always be unexpected life challenges and events that occur throughout the year in each of our lives, and in addition to excitement, facing the uncertainties and unknowns of a new year can also cause fear.

I’ve put together five of my favourite Bible verses about courage. Referenced more than 30 times in the Bible, courage is defined as “the ability to do something that frightens one,” and also “strength in the face of pain or grief”. Courage is an attribute that can strengthen hearts and help us successfully navigate life’s challenges.

I hope these verses are an encouragement to you as you embark on your journey through 2015. [All verses are taken from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.]

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Moses speaks to Israel and tells them to be strong and of a good courage, to fear not. This verse serves as an awesome reminder that no matter what, God is with us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” In Joshua chapter 1, the Lord commands Joshua to “be strong and of a good courage” three times in the first 10 verses!

Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Ezra 10:4 “Be of good courage, and do it.” Matter-of-fact and to-the-point.

Ezra 10:4 (KJV)

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” I’ve had this verse highlighted in my Bible for years. It’s funny, because typically we wouldn’t think that ‘waiting’ or being patient would require much courage, but in reality, sometimes it requires the most courage of all. Not jumping to our own conclusions, not trying to force or our own will, but waiting patiently and working diligently for God’s best.

Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” This is the second time that David notes one of the benefits to being of courage: When you have courage, God will strengthen your heart.

Psalm 31:24 (KJV)

Wednesday

31

December 2014

Hope, She Wrote: 20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work, Uncategorized

Well, friends, another year has come and gone! The end of a year is always a great time to reflect on everything we’ve learned the past 365 days, and what we can apply to our lives for the next year ahead. 2014 provided some great growth opportunities for me, and I wanted to highlight some of my favourite life hacks from over the past year, that will really help make the most of 2015. Cheers!

Practice an attitude of gratitude. When you catch yourself complaining or in less-than-pretty circumstances, remember to be grateful. Counting your blessings is one way of practicing an attitude of gratitude. Fact: There will always be waves in each of our worlds that we’d rather not ride – stay positive and don’t “get worked” (excuse my surfer slang).
Make friends with patience and longsuffering. Though they’re two of the most annoying virtues and fruits of the spirit, patience and longsuffering are two keys to successfully navigating life. Practicing patience doesn’t mean you stop working hard – quite the contrary. Remember, it takes 6 months to build a Rolls-Royce, and only 13 hours to build a Toyota. Patience can mean the difference between good and great for your life. Don’t settle.
Choose joy. This was my slogan for 2014 (I’ve even got the statement secured on my office door!) and I’m carrying my joy straight through in 2015. True joy comes from within, and when we consistently practice #1 on this list, choosing joy gets easier.
Start living TODAY. While memories are marvelous and planning ahead is smart, it’s also important to embrace the here and now. The ever-quotable Earl Nightingale once said, “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” True story. How we live, work, and act today has a direct effect on our tomorrow. Live wisely.
Encourage others. The most effective leaders are those who motivate and encourage others around them. To encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope. We’ve each got the ability inside us!
Slow down. When will we understand that using the word “busy” and having more items on our schedules than hours in a day is not cool?! I’m quite confident that no one will ever look back at the end of his life and say, “I wish I’d spent more time at work.” Slow down, decompress, get more sleep. Make time to just be. (**This is a major “note to self” for me, as practicing slowness is a daily personal challenge.**)
Develop discipline. Get into a healthy daily routine, challenge yourself to face your fears, and keep going. Remember, discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most (see also #2 on this list).
Do one thing each day that takes you out of your comfort zone. Step outside the box, grow some courage, and go for it – it’s like my favourite surfer Laird Hamilton says: “You have to be willing to subject yourself to failure, to be bad, to fall on your head and do it again, and try stuff that you’ve never done in order to be the best you can be.”
Change is inevitable, so make the most of it. Wherever you’re at in life, and whatever changes you’re dealing with – birth, death, love, heartache, career change, retirement – chart your change. Keep a journal (even if it’s of few words), to focus on the positive aspects of change. If we let it, change can help each of us build character.
Watch your mouth. Proverbs 17:28 (KJV) says “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Don’t compare yourself to others. Theodore Roosevelt correctly said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. You are the only you there will ever be. Learn to be content, gravitate to what inspires you, and be your best self. The only way to fulfill your life’s purpose is to be you.
Influence is everywhere, so be careful with what and with whom you surround yourself. As long as we’re here on Earth, there will always be peer pressure (and jerks). Don’t lower your expectations or standards just because people don’t share the same values as you. And, be careful of your own actions, as you never know whom you could be influencing.
Handwritten notes are powerful pieces of paper (and they’re also totally awesome). Texting might be easier, but there’s a saying about things that are easy…
Take time to communicate. Make eye contact and speak thoughtfully! Like time, personal communication is a hot commodity. And unfortunately, with today’s technology, it seems as though few people know how to communicate effectively (see also #13 on this list). Remember, people have hearts; nurture them!
Worry less. Worrying and fretting never serve to make a situation better; in fact, they can actually make things worse. That being said, as anyone with anxiety can attest to, the old adage “don’t worry” is easy to say and hard to practice. One way to help alleviate your worries is to serve others – look out rather than in.
Get inspired! Break free of the daily grind and learn something new! Get outside for a walk; read a book; return to the hobbies you love. Make the time to get inspired.
Authenticity is greater than approval. Better to be true to yourself than to betray your beliefs. Try as you might, you will never please every person. There will always be someone out there who thinks you’re a complete dork. Once you learn to not care what others think, personal authenticity becomes a whole lot easier.
To have friends, you must be a friend. Even though it’s easy to get caught up in our own day-to-day lives, it is well worth making the effort to maintain friendships. I’m so thankful for friends who feel the same way.
Being generous is a good habit to practice, especially when we learn to do it with love. “It is not how much we give,” as Mother Teresa said, “but how much love we put into giving.” When it comes to being generous, learn to plan ahead, to prefer giving rather than receiving, and to count your blessings so that you may be a blessing to someone else.
Volunteering is a vital part of life. My life has been touched tremendously since I started volunteering. Maltbie Babcock once said, “the workshop of character is everyday life.” No matter your age, your career path, or your location, there are opportunities everywhere to give back.

Psalm 90:12 (KJV) says “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Each day is a new opportunity for us to learn, to live, and to grow; and I hope these truths help you and encourage you, wherever you’re at in your walk today.

Originally published as “20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014 – Parts 1 & 2” in The Minto Express.

Robertson, Hope. “20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014.” Minto Express 31 December 2014, 2 parts. Print.

Wednesday

8

October 2014

Hope, She Wrote: When It Comes to Comparison

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work, Uncategorized

Comparison is not always a bad thing, but majority of the time, it’s just like Theodore Roosevelt wisely said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” The sword of comparison is double-edged: Comparison can cause pride in our own lives, and on the flip-side, it can rob us of our contentment.

I’m not sure why it’s a big deal, but as several of my friends and I approach that momentous 30^th birthday milestone, we’ve become very aware of time, accomplishments, and expectations in each of our lives. Perhaps it’s the fact that we’re no longer in our early twenties – we might feel like we are, but trust me, spend some time with those kids and it becomes glaringly obvious that we’re waaay past that stage of life –and we’re also not old and experienced enough to be without dreams and goals that we still want to achieve.

Reflection on one’s life has the tendency to tempt us to compare. It’s like there are certain expectations from society that when you turn thirty you’re supposed to have accomplished certain things in life – buying a house, getting married, having children, being established in your career path of choice, traveling the world – and if you aren’t doing these things, you’re not “normal” or “successful”. I beg to differ. Each of us was created unique, and we’re each here on Earth for a certain purpose. The timing for your life plan is different than mine, and we shouldn’t get caught up in comparison. Comparison is a bad habit that has several shortcomings.

Here are helpful things to remember when it comes to comparison:

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Teddy Roosevelt was right about that. Comparison actually causes resentment and jealousy, it can even cause pride – all traits that we should avoid. Comparison puts the focus on circumstances over which you have no control, and steals energy that you could be putting into being your best self.

When you find yourself tempted to compare, practice gratitude. Being thankful and practicing an attitude of gratitude has a way of bringing to light the blessings that we already have. It also promotes contentment. Practicing gratitude also has this awesome way of helping us demonstrate other fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Instead of competing with others, get inspired. When we compare ourselves to others, there’s often the temptation to compete – “keeping up with the Joneses”, if you will. Instead of comparing and competing, get inspired. Learning from the life experiences of others can be very beneficial, and if you see positive traits in another person that you genuinely admire, let that prompt real positive change in your own life.

Don’t let the world define “normal” or “successful” for you – you are the only you there will ever be. You are a completely unique creation. That’s a pretty big deal. As Judy Garland said, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” Rather than wasting time on comparisons, learn the mindset of being content.

Robertson, Hope. “The Dangers of Comparison.” Minto Express 08 October 2014: 5. Print.

Thursday

13

March 2014

Hope, She Wrote: Some Habits Are Actually Good

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work, Uncategorized

When we talk about habits, we tend to talk about bad habits. That being said, there are some really good habits we should all get in to and start practicing. I talk about five good habits in my Minto Express column this week.

Something I’m thankful for is having a core set of friends who share the same foundational beliefs, who challenge and exhort each other to live fully and count life’s blessings. Recently, some of us have been making a more conscious effort to really jumpstart our joy. And it’s working a little bit like exercise: When you have an accountability partner (or partners) who are into making effective, positive life changes, the changes are that much easier – and sometimes even fun – to implement.

Here are some habits that we should all develop and green light to positively impact our lives:

Be yourself. Judy Garland once said something along the lines of always being your best self, otherwise you’ll end up being a second-rate version of someone else, and you’ll never amount to your most truly awesome potential. I’m totally paraphrasing, but this is huge – not trying to be different on purpose, just being you.

Accept failures. Very difficult to put into practice. If I counted all the times I’ve failed or made a mistake… well, let’s not go there. The point is, accept your failures, correct your actions, and continue to try. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Also, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

Compete with yourself, not with others. The game of comparison and covetousness is a dangerous one. Learning to compete with myself and trying to be my best self every day is one way to avoid this. What’s the old adage, “The grass isn’t greener on the other side; it’s greenest where you water it.” So start watering.

Be real. A friend of mine shared this awesome calendar entry with me last week, which referred to speaking the truth in love. Wow. There are some difficult topics to discuss in this life, and addressing them with authenticity is key. Sure, authenticity can be arduous (and sometimes even awkward), but a few minutes of awkwardness is better than a lifetime of avoidance (or some other equally lame alternative)

Start living. Take it from the 14^th Dalai Lama: “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, and the other is called tomorrow. So today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.” BAM. That about sums it up. Don’t put off to the morrow what you can do today. Sure, there are seasons when we have to practice patience, but always remember: Patience and procrastination are entirely different.

Wondering how to develop these positive habits and incorporate them into your life? One small step at a time, every day. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle.

Robertson, Hope. “Some Habits Are Actually Good.” Minto Express 12 March 2014: 5. Print.

Tuesday

25

February 2014

Quotes about Joy

Written by H, Posted in Uncategorized

I’m a huge fan of winter. I love grey skies, cold winds, and any excuse to sit inside with a piping cuppa and a good book. That being said, it’s long winters and dull days that attribute to the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Here are some verses and quotes I love on the topic of joy, that I hope will uplift you when certain seasons seem unending, and inspire you to jumpstart your joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy…”

“Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.” Leo Tolstoy

“Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.” Aboot Coumba Marmion

“Joy springs from within; no one makes you joyous; you choose joyfulness.” Unknown

“Joy is a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace – a connection to what matters.” Oprah

“Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy, you must have somebody to divide it with.” Mark Twain

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” Richard Wagner

Newer Entries →

quote of the day Archive

17

Hope Reflected: Consistency

16

5 Truths for Life from Proverbs 29

Originally published as “5 Simple Truths for Life from Proverbs 29”. Minto Express. April 8, 2015: 5. Print.

12

Hope Reflected: What Goes In, Must Come Out

Originally published as “What Goes In Must Come Out”. Minto Express. March 25, 2015: 5. Print.

11

Hope Reflected: 3 Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Originally published as “3 Ways to Stop Procrastinating”. Minto Express. March 11, 2015: 5. Print.

2

Hope, She Wrote: 3 Ways to Achieve Your Goals

Originally published as “3 Ways to Achieve Your Goals”. Minto Express. 28 January 2015: 5. Print.

1

Verses About Courage

31

Hope, She Wrote: 20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014

Originally published as “20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014 – Parts 1 & 2” in The Minto Express.

Robertson, Hope. “20 Life Lessons I Learned in 2014.” Minto Express 31 December 2014, 2 parts. Print.

8

Hope, She Wrote: When It Comes to Comparison

Robertson, Hope. “The Dangers of Comparison.” Minto Express 08 October 2014: 5. Print.

13

Hope, She Wrote: Some Habits Are Actually Good

Robertson, Hope. “Some Habits Are Actually Good.” Minto Express 12 March 2014: 5. Print.

25

Quotes about Joy

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