Mostly anonymous, proverbs are a portal through time to generations past and echo a diverse range of cultures.
They speak of the experiences of many lessons learned and the wisdom from thousands of lives already lived.
They offer us knowledge; knowledge that is passed to us in much the same way relay runners might pass a baton. Once it’s handed over, it is up to us what we do with it and how we pass it on.
Does your world fall apart? Or do you see it as a challenge?
What do you make of this week’s sayings?
Everyone’s opinion is valid. What is yours?
I invite you to leave a comment or share your views on Sunday Sayings.
Words of Wisdom
Several years ago, I created ‘Proverbial Friday’ on my blog.I became fascinated with traditional proverbs, quotes and sayings, their metaphorical layers and the many different interpretations found within just a few, succinct words. I marveled at their ability to transcend race, religion, opinions and age.
They offer us knowledge; knowledge that is passed to us in much the same way relay runners might pass a baton. Once it’s handed over, it is up to us what we do with it and how we pass it on.
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
~Corrie Ten Boom
How something ends up never depends on how much you worry about it
~ Unknown
Worrying can become a habitual way of responding to triggers.
Some of us feel safer if we worry about something.
Others feel worrying is a way of caring about someone dear.
We might think we get better at solving problems or become motivated by worry.
Worrying helps us to feel prepared for potential outcomes.
None of these are very accurate! Worrying does not prepare us for anything.
What do you make of this week’s sayings.
Are you a worrier?
How do you overcome worry?
Do you think worry have a beneficial use in our lives?
Everyone’s opinion is valid. What is yours?
I invite you to leave a comment or share your views on Sunday Sayings.
Words of Wisdom
Several years ago, I created ‘Proverbial Friday’ on my blog.
I became fascinated with traditional proverbs, quotes and sayings, their metaphorical layers and the many different interpretations found within just a few, succinct words. I marveled at their ability to transcend race, religion, opinions and age.
They offer us knowledge; knowledge that is passed to us in much the same way relay runners might pass a baton. Once it’s handed over, it is up to us what we do with it and how we pass it on.
The graphic depicts the common stereotypes, but it does not depict the individual who comes with conflicting viewpoints and contradictions.
Stereotypes fall in the face of humanity. We human beings are best understood one at a time. Anna Quindlen
Stereotypes might even be a mind’s way of dealing with the infinite complexities of our human personas, in shorthand.
For we ARE all individuals, no matter how similar or how different from one another.
Indeed, the Taoists say, ” it is possible to appreciate people for their uniqueness – like you might enjoy a certain song. You don’t have to analyse and pull it apart.”
If we stop comparing people to other people, and instead appreciate differences, we might experience a greater level of contentment, in our own mind and ourselves. Conversely, complaining about others means we are effectively allowing ourselves to feel irritated or disturbed that things aren’t as we think they “should be.”
” A bad neighbour glosses over your qualities and reveals your faults.“
~ Algerian proverb
Letting others be just who they are, means being a lot more flexible and accepting. Even consciously having less expectations.
More peace of mind might result from changing attitudes, than by changing circumstances.
There’s a difference between being yourself and being your stereotype. Iggy Azalea
What do you make of stereotypes? Are they always right or usually wrong?
Inspired by Marie’s post about the restorative effect of nature, and Peggy’s post referring to an article, in the Guardian, about nature being loved to death in some National Park areas of the world, I found these wise words:
Bearded Dragon at Coolangatta Beach, Australia
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature,
he finds it attached to the rest of the world “
– John Muir
Planet earth is large, yet the systems we depend on, and everything within, is connected in some way – through the water we drink, the air we breathe, or the soil in which we grow our food.
Rainforest
“The proper use of science is not to conquer nature, but to live in it”
– Barry Commoner
Damage to one area can have an unanticipated implication for another system. That might be beneficial, or it might be detrimental. It might help in the short term, but be harmful to diversity long term. The ecosystems are complex, mostly resilient, but also sometimes very fragile.
Weekly Proverb
“When someone points at the moon, don’t look at the finger.”
– Ancient Buddhist proverb
Worth remembering is the sageful advice of the Ancient Buddhist proverb, written at a time when the environmental concerns we face today, could never have been contemplated. Yet the words seem just as applicable today.
Sunday Sayings
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.
Normally I would invite your comment and discussion on the various interpretations and intentions, of the weekly sayings and proverbs.
This week, I am inspired by Manja, and appreciate any comments or opinions you feel moved to offer, of your own volition.
As always, everyone’s opinion is important and should be respected.
