Those following me on Instagram (IG)* will know that once a week I post a quotation that holds some meaning for me. No explanation, no context, just simple words along with an acknowledgement to whomever originally spoke the words. I enjoy sharing these quotations, because each one has impacted me in some way and at some point. It’s a personal project, but I know that sometimes, the words impact others, and that’s a bonus.
I thought it would be fun to collate my current top ten and to provide the context that’s missing on IG.…
10. “Your responsibility is to create joy” (Milton H. Erickson)
Erickson was an American psychologist who is considered one of the early influencers on coaching as a modality for personal and professional development. A specialist in hypnosis therapy and later in his career, therapeutic practice, Erickson was a proponent of using metaphor as a means of communication. The context of this particular quotation is unknown, but resonates with me because I have come to appreciate that ultimately our only responsibility in life is to find the joy in life.
9. “Realise deeply that the present moment is all you ever have” (Eckhart Tolle)
Eckhart Tolle, author of ‘The Power of Now’ and described as a spiritual/thought leader, advocates being present in the now, rather than over-thinking in terms of regretting the past and/or worrying about the future. The quotation continues with the words: “Make the Now the primary focus of your life”.
8. “Just be you … it doesn’t matter what anybody else says … just be you” (Sydney Banks)
Sydney Banks was a Scottish welder living in Canada. Having had only a basic education, family and friends were shocked when he had an enlightenment experience and began talking about a new way of understanding how the mind works. Nearly fifty years later, his insight has become the basis of an understanding known as the 3 Principles. Several of my top ten quotations are attributed to Syd. This particular quotation reminds me that we are all unique individuals and that I can live a simple authentic life by just being me.
7. “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing” (Helen Keller)
Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind American to attend university and gain a degree and thereafter became an internationally renowned writer, political activist and teacher. Keller became deaf and blind at the age of eighteen months as a result of a serious illness. Her parents sought help and were introduced to a young teacher, Anne Sullivan, who became Keller’s life-long teacher and companion. Keller learnt to read people’s lips through touch, learnt to read with braille and developed the skill of speech. This quotation sums up life, as far as I am concerned. It suggests ‘having a go’ or ‘experimenting’ is the only option open if we are to find the joy in life.
6. “Stay with the feeling, it tells you everything you need to know” (Sydney Banks)
Sydney Banks reminds us that having feelings – even the uncomfortable ones – is perfectly normal and that we should not be afraid of them. Our feelings pass on by unless we choose to allow them to linger. Our feelings are telling us about our thoughts in any given moment and nothing else.
And my top five quotations? Tune in next time to find out. My current Number 1 is a quotation I heard for the first time last week (mid-June 2020). I wonder if it will still be top of the list this time next year, or even in a couple of weeks when I post again…
*Follow me on Instagram: @taplinliz
Photo credit: Norwood Themes – Unsplash