The ABC's of Life...S is for Silly

"The best things in life are silly." ~Scott Adams

"Be silly. Be kind. Be honest." ~Emerson

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells." ~Dr. Seuss

"If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would never get done." ~Ludwing Wittgenstein

You're never too old for silly. Laugh, have fun, be goofy, dance, sing. Swing on the swings...blow bubbles...do cartwheels or stand on your head...read the comic section in the newspaper...run through the sprinkler...hula hoop...jump rope. Lighten up. Loosen up. Leave time for fun!

The ABC's of Life...R is for Risk

"and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin

"The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." ~Dale Carnegie

"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen." ~Paulo Coelho

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing." ~Helen Keller

"Leap and the net will appear." ~Zen saying

"Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash." ~General George S. Patton

I must confess that I love my comfort zone...taking chances isn't second nature to me...and I'm not a gambler in any sense of the word. That being said, every so often I surprise myself and take that giant leap...ok, maybe it's more like little baby steps. However, I do love a good adventure every now and then. Taking a risk can be scary because there is the fear of failure associated with it. Try it anyway. Don't necessarily take foolish risks...you can still research and make mindful decisions before you step over the edge. Dream big. Do something different. Dare to fly!

The ABC's of Life...Q is for Quiet

"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." ~A Raisin in the Sun

"Within you there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be yourself." ~Hermann Messe

"Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where I renew my springs that never dry up." ~Pearl Buck

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." ~Arundhati Roy

"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live." ~Bertrand Russell

"There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it." ~Minnie Aumonier


Among the busy-ness and the chaos of our day to day lives, make sure to find time for solitude. Time to be alone with your thoughts...to unplug and be still...to stop multi-tasking and be calm.
Take a long, hot bath...work in the garden...take a walk in nature or run around the block...practice yoga...read...say a prayer...write in a journal...create art. Get up early if you have to, or stay up later after everyone has gone to sleep. Put the distractions of tv, computers and cell phones on hold and find serenity in the silence. Seek out the place that brings you peace (the ocean, the mountains, a church) so that you can restore your soul and nourish your spirit. Meditate...Contemplate...Relax. Quiet works wonders.

The ABC's of Life...P is for Perserverance

"My motto was always to 'Keep Swinging'. Whether I was in a slump, or feeling badly, or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."
~Hank Aaron

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." ~Babe Ruth

"Never let your head hang down. Never give up and grieve. Find another way. And don't pray when it rains, if you don't pray when the sun shines." ~Leroy Paige

"If you believe in yourself, have dedication & pride and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards." ~Paul "Bear" Bryant

"Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must...just never give up."
~Dean Karnages


Although the quotes may (at first glance) be about baseball or football, I think that they are really about life. No matter whether you're swinging for the fence or trying to make your dreams come true, never give up. Keep trying to achieve your goals...work hard...be disciplined...do your best and learn from your mistakes. When you're faced with an obstacle in your path, find a way around it. If you get knocked down pick yourself up and try it a different way. Don't quit. Be motivated. Be committed. Be dedicated. Take risks. Believe in yourself. Get it done.

The ABC's of Life...O is for Open-Minded

"The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind." ~EB White

"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it's not open." ~Frank Zappa

"Books open your mind, broaden your mind, and strengthen you as nothing else can." ~ William Feather

"An artist's duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state where he can receive information and inspiration. You always have to be ready for the little artistic Ephiphany." ~Nick Cave

Keep your mind open to the views of others...be curious...ask questions...listen....throw away your preconceived notions and unlock the door to new ideas & new thoughts. It is possible...you can do it.