Have you ever noticed how someone can either induce positive warm feelings or leave a negative impression on you with just a few words? Even people we have a one time interaction with in public or do not know well can greatly effect how we feel by the words and tone they choose to use. What to speak of the effect people close to us can have on our moods…for better or worse.
Words carry a great amount of power and influence. That is why some words that are spoken may be long remembered and passed on down through the generations. We know these memorable and impressionable phrases as “quotes”.
Recently my 14 year old was expressing to me interest in joining the armed services. Wanting to understand his motivation, I asked him what he saw as the benefit of joining one of them? With a strong and confident tone he responded,” ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Still to this day a quote from JFK’s inaugural speech many years ago is being quoted by our younger generation. This phrase was something JFK had heard from his teacher that clearly made an impression on him and continues to have meaning and inspiration to this day.
There are so many quotes that have become famous for various reasons over the years. What are some of your favorite quotes and why? The quotes we find meaningful can say a lot about us and what we value.
Albert Einstein made a good point when he said, “try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” The question again is what values do you hold dear to you? What is most meaningful and important in your life?
The quotes that resonate with us can say a lot about our character, what we value, and how we approach life.
I will show you what I mean. I have chosen some quotes that have special meaning to me. Each inspire me in some way and are worthy of contemplation, in my opinion. After reading these quotes you may feel as though you know more about me as a person, without ever having met me. I hope so anyway.
Here they are:
“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth.”-Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”-Mahatma Gandhi
“For the world to be peaceful, we have to be peaceful within ourselves.” Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda
I will sing of loving kindness and justice, to You, O Lord, I will sing praises. Psalm 101:1
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6
Our help is in the name of the Lord. Psalm 124:8
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ― Socrates
Image Courtesy: quotefancy.com
“You’re not the body; you’re not the mind. You are a spiritual spark-part and parcel of the Supreme Being. Material energy cannot satisfy you, the spirit soul.” Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda
“Speculative knowledge without any trace of devotional service is simply a useless waste of time in search for You, Devotional service is so important that even a little attempt can raise one to the highest perfectional platform.” Brahma’s prayer to the Supreme Lord
“I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.” –Krishna speaking in Bhagavad-gita Ch 9 text 18
“If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” –Krishna Bhagavad-gita Ch 9 text 27
I had a hard time to narrow it down and have more I would be happy to share, but that seems like plenty for now. Each one is so rich in meaning!
What do these quotes tell you about me? I would imagine that you easily picked up on the fact that I am interested in spiritual subject matter and self-discovery. As a human being, I know I am subjected to making mistakes as I am not perfect. The human intelligence has no perfection, which may mislead us in making judgments. We need a guiding light to sail safely in the river of our life. I find value in asking deeper questions about the nature of truth and the purpose of our existence. Further, I find peace and deep inner happiness in connection with my relationship with God. A regular meditation practice, including the singing of mantras (spiritual sound vibrations) makes it possible for me to successfully re-establish and deepen this relationship.
What are some of your favorite quotes? What do they say about you and what you value?
Asking someone what their favorite quote is could be a fun way to quickly learn more about a person. You may find that it can also be a source of inspiration at times.
I hope that the quotes I shared with you were received as an invitation for introspection and worthy of contemplation. This human form of life is a wonderful opportunity because we are capable of contemplating and inquiring on a deep level. Humbling ourselves while experiencing heartfelt gratitude to God for His unconditional love is the passage way to a whole new world. The most worthwhile journey is that of self discovery. I am grateful for the words of the wise that support me along the way!
All the best on your journey! May the words of the wise grace your path and may you find the true inner peace and happiness you seek.
