I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.
Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking.
I hope you will too.
In action, anxiety disappers. Unknown proverb
That is one of the remarkable things in life, It’s never so bad that it can’t get worse.
Bill Watterson
Proverbial Thursday gives you something to ponder about.
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Published by Forestwood
A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word.
Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, I enjoy photography and craft, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.
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Something to Ponder About 
I am not sure if I agree with the whole quote. Perhaps what it means that if we stop thinking and start doing and work towards what we want to achieve, we will stop worrying of what could be and what can actually be. I was thinking of the quote mainly from another perspective. Sometimes when we move into action or stand up and do something, we can get overwhelmed especially if we get a lot of people around us telling what to do. If we are not strong enough to think for ourselves, it can be harder than ever to move forward and be happy.
The second quote is a rather optimistic one to me. No matter how bad things may be, there are usually a number of solutions or choices to make to make things better. Tomorrow is always a new day and we can wake up and make the most of it – it’s our choice. For those of us who live in first world countries, we are lucky in so many ways and we really should realise and appreciate where we are.
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Thank you so much for your words, Mabel. I always look forward to your insightful responses to my post and again, I find insight in your words, ” If we are not strong enough to think for ourselves, it can be harder than ever to move forward and be happy.” I know of an individual for whom this is so true. And it is indeed what holds him back. Why isn’t a person strong enough? What has prevented them from developing in this way? Upbringing, personality, unpleasant experiences, environment?
I chose the second quote because it did seem optimistic to me. Of course, when you are in the throws of despair, it is not comforting to know that there are worse situations, but it does sometimes offer a moment to re-establish perspective, and not let the spiral of despair completely engulf one’s thoughts. Tomorrow is the best gift for starting a fresh.
As for the first quote, I could only think that in action, negative thoughts compete with “action” messages from our brain and lessen the space for anxiety to flourish. However, your alternate thoughts on this proverb are also valid. Furthermore, there are definitely situations in which one is suffering chronic anxiety where action is exceedingly difficult because ordinary functional thought is so disrupted by the constant niggling worries. When this happens, it is difficult to be functional in any sense, and any action near impossible. I guess this would be considered a breaking point where the pressure of ‘action’ can’t be forced until the individual has relaxed and lessened the anxiety. What do you think, Mabel?
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I like how you ran away with my thoughts on the first quote with your thoughts, Amanda. Those questions do give us an idea of what might hold us back. At the end of the day, in order to move forwards and find our way, we have to make a choice. A choice to say that we can do this and keep telling us ourselves that – and so action may not seem scary to us.
Perhaps telling ourselves, “What’s the worst that can happen” might help ease the pressure. Usually what’s the worst that can happen it’s not the end of the world.
And that slides in nicely to the second quote and optimism. Sometimes looking at the situation from a different perspective, things may not be too bad after all.
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I agree that it is essential to recognize that a person has a choice, and are making a choice. Be that in a pessimistic or optimistic way. When action is recognized as a choice one makes, it seems to be easier to change or alter than if it wa a situation thrust upon us which we could not control.
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I like your thinking. Sometimes we can’t control the big picture, but we can control the smaller moments that we are in as they are happening in the now.
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Absolutely! That feeling of having control is important in giving oneself a sense of stability. It is also important to check that that sense of control is not too all consuming. I feel that trying to control so many aspects of life is one of the things that leads to difficulties and if predisposed, depression and mental illness. The many variables in life are not within our control and stress results if we try to control all of them. The smaller moments are the ones where we can exert some influence on the direction they take, and in doing so, give us a sense of control, or even purpose?
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Very well put. At the end of the day, it is the smallest moments that make up the bigger picture. It is a great feeling when we work at something and then we work it out and things go right. Control, it takes work and it can be rewarding.
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Oh, I am glad that you understood what I meant here, Mabel. Sometimes I am not so good at articulating my thoughts. Thanks for your comment!
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There are some people who are just thinkers. They have great ideas, but never actually work on them. Then they will rue missed opportunities.
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Another good viewpoint on the proverb. Those people who are so creative with ideas, might be best placed in a team with a pro-active “do-er.” Otherwise, as you alluded, Raewyn, they will be missed opportunities, and that is a great shame!
Thanks for your comment and visit! i appreciate it.
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