NAN SANDERS POKERWINSKI
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HeartWood
A blog about cultivating
creativity, connection and contentment
wherever you are

Last Wednesday Wisdom for December 2017

12/27/2017

12 Comments

 
On the last Wednesday of every month, I serve up a potpourri of advice, inspiration and other tidbits I've come across in recent weeks. This Wednesday, we're not only near the end of the month, but also nearing the end of 2017. So today, I'm sharing some thoughts I want to keep in mind as we leave this year behind and move forward into a new one. 
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We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
-- Ray Bradbury
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Genuine compassion comes from the fact that you see your own limitations: you wish to be kind, and you find that you aren't. Then, instead of beating yourself up, you see that that's what all human beings are up against, and you begin to have . . . genuine compassion for the human condition.
-- Pema Chödrön
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On the late-afternoon streets, everyone hurries along, going about their own business. Who is the person walking in front of you on the rain-drenched sidewalk? He is covered with an umbrella, and all you can see is a dark coat and the shoes striking the puddles. And yet this person is the hero of his own life story. He is the love of someone's life. And what he can do may change the world. Imagine being him for a moment.

And then continue on your own way.
​-- Vera Nazarian
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Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.
-- Rachel Carson
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Above all, don't fear the difficult moments. The best always comes from them.
​-- Rita Levi-Montalcini
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The happiness of life . . . is made up of minute fractions -- the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a gentle word, a heartfelt compliment.
​-- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.
​-- Søren Kierkegaard
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The human experience of aging is interwoven with vulnerability. And what if it's OK to be vulnerable? What if that's the point? What if wisdom and connection, depth and richness all spring from the shimmer of impermanence? You don't have to pretend the sensations of aging are comfortable, or pleasant, or wanted. But what you can do is be present as it all bubbles up -- the whole goopy,  horrifying, colorful mess called being alive.
-- Elaine Smookler, "Anti-Aging? No Thanks," Mindful magazine, April 2017.
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A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
-- Frederick William Faber
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Always be a little kinder than is necessary.
​-- Sir J.M. Barrie
12 Comments
Gloria Switzer
12/27/2017 07:13:22 am

Beautiful as always, Nan! Tears in my eyes as I contemplated these wise quotes on this freezing sunny day. Thank you and blessings in the New Year. Your writing is a blessing to me.
Love & Peace, gloria

Reply
Nan
12/27/2017 07:26:31 am

Thank you so much, Gloria. Happy New Year to you!

Reply
Susan Stec
12/27/2017 07:03:49 pm

I love the gentle pokes of reality I get from your last Wednesday of the month inspirational quotes. There is at least one every month that feels like a gift, wrapped special for me.
Susan

Reply
Nan
12/28/2017 06:14:22 am

I love hearing that. ♡

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Tonya Howe
12/28/2017 04:12:25 am

Thankyou for the quotes. It feels so good to be reminded that so many many people give that much thought to kindness♡

Reply
Nan
12/28/2017 06:13:46 am

Yes. ♡ And we can surely use as much of it as we can get (and give).

Reply
Sue Schneider
12/28/2017 02:26:23 pm

Inspiring, reflective and enjoyable. Thanks Nan

Reply
Nan
1/2/2018 06:37:54 am

:-)

Reply
Emily Everett
12/29/2017 10:27:34 am

I thought for sure my favorite would be the Ray Bradbury quote but then I read Elaine Smookler's "whole goopy, horrifying, colorful mess called being alive." So I have two faves. Thanks for some great thoughts to start a new year.

Reply
Nan
12/31/2017 07:38:02 am

Pretty apt description, don't you think?

Reply
george waldman
1/1/2018 09:27:46 am

I vote for the Pema Chodron quote, but that's close to my own struggle. And I really don't have to vote for one. Thanks, Nancy. Happy New Year, you and Ray.

Reply
Nan
1/2/2018 06:37:22 am

Close to mine, too, George. Happy New Year to you and Mallory.

Reply



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    Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray.

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