A Few Thought-Provoking Sentences (published in 2021)
“We are defined by our actions, not our intentions.” -Source Unknown
We constantly daydream and aspire to accomplish so many things- I think it’s human nature to do so. The problem is that most of us never get around to even coming close to achieving what we have in mind. Whether it’s quitting a job or taking a spontaneous trip, we’re all talk but no play. As grandiose or good-natured your intentions may be, the stark reality is that they mean nothing when they’re not followed through with action.
“All of man’s problems stem from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” -Blaise Pascal
This one delves reallllly deep into the human psyche. I take it to mean that a large percentage of our perceived problems actually stem from our mind and its overthinking tendencies, and by taking the time to sit down honestly with only ourselves and no distractions can we recognize this. If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you know that I am a big proponent of meditation for the simple reason that it allows us to face our minds, and thus face the world, more clearly.
“We will become our opposite if we do not learn to accommodate the opposition within us.” -Carl Jung
Polarity exists everywhere*: compassion and anger, selflessness and selfishness. We all have these attributes within us so it serves nothing to try and repress them. Some even say that the traits in others that bother you reflect your own personal shortcomings (known as “projection” in psychology). In order to become a fully actualized person, it’s essential that you learn to manage all of the aspects within you.
“We are beyond words.” -Rumi
A complementary quote would be “We are not humans having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” (the original attribution of this quote eludes me.) We are such complex creatures that it is quite literally impossible to define exactly who or what we are. I think you’ll agree that if try the exercise of defining yourself right now, you’ll come realize that mental concepts will always fall short in describing who you really are.
“There is only one thing I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.” -Fyodor Dostoevsky
It seems peculiar, absurd even, to want to be deserving of suffering. Isn’t our primary aim in life to minimize it, after all? What this phrase conveys is that from a certain perspective, suffering brings meaning to our lives. Through it, we experience trials that test our resolve and emphasize the human condition. To not be worthy of sufferings means to not be worthy of hardships, which means no personal evolution. And who wants to be in the same place for the rest of their lives?
“A great many of us are possessed by our possessions.” -Peace Pilgrim
“I want, I want, I want” is all our brains seem to say. In a world seemingly centered around materialism, it can be laborious to go against this way of thinking? But what if you could be happy right now with just what you have? Your happiness shouldn’t be measured by external objects because once it is, you’re prisoner to them. Take care to not let your possessions consume you nor your peace.
*or does it?
Thanks for reading,
Alan
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Additional Resources
An encyclopedic entry on Blaise Pascal.
Brittanica’s publication for Carl Jung.
A Wikipedia article for Rumi.
The School of Life’s write-up of Fyodor Dostoevsky.
A biography of Peace Pilgrim.
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