#21 Beautiful Quotes on Embracing The Present Moment

[sherrylephotography]

@sherrylephotography 5/22. My video

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” — Alice Morse Earle

[ourspiritanima]

39 Okapi Quotes, Sayings, And Proverbs

The Okapi is an enigmatic and mysterious animal, known for its striking appearance that blends characteristics of both the giraffe and the zebra. Native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Okapi is a rare creature that symbolizes the hidden and mysterious aspects of nature. Its elusive nature has made it a symbol of the unknown, of discovery, and of the importance of preserving the mysteries of the natural world. In this collection, I present 13 quotes, 13 sayings, and 13 proverbs about the Okapi. These reflections explore the animal’s beauty, symbolism, and the lessons it can teach us about life, nature, and discovery.

Quotes About The Okapi

1. “The Okapi moves through the forest with quiet grace, its presence a whisper between the trees, known only to those who seek the secrets of the wild.”

2. “Like the Okapi, we must sometimes exist between worlds—neither fully seen nor fully hidden, balancing on the edge of the unknown.”

3. “The Okapi teaches us that beauty often lies in the unexpected, in the blending of contrasts, and in the harmony of differences.”

4. “In the Okapi’s gentle gaze, we see the mystery of the forest itself—silent, unseen, but ever-present in the world around us.”

5. “The Okapi, with its striking markings and elusive nature, is a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful things are the hardest to find.”

6. “Just as the Okapi blends the features of the giraffe and the zebra, we too must find ways to combine our own contradictions into something unique and beautiful.”

7. “To witness the Okapi in its natural habitat is to witness the quiet resilience of a creature that thrives in the hidden corners of the earth.”

8. “The Okapi is the forest’s secret, a creature born of both strength and subtlety, moving through the world unnoticed by many, yet profoundly present.”

9. “In the Okapi’s movement, there is a kind of poetry—quiet, deliberate, and full of meaning, known only to those who pause long enough to see.”

10. “The Okapi reminds us that true beauty is often hidden from the eye; it is found in the spaces between what is visible and what is unknown.”

11. “Like the Okapi, we too must navigate the world with patience, embracing the mysteries that surround us rather than seeking to understand them all.”

12. “The Okapi’s elusive nature teaches us that there is power in silence, in waiting, and in the quiet discovery of the world’s wonders.”

13. “To follow the Okapi’s path is to understand that some of the most profound truths are the ones that remain just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.”

Sayings About The Okapi

14. “The Okapi does not seek attention, but its presence is impossible to ignore once you know where to look.”

15. “Like the Okapi, we find our strength not in being loud and seen, but in moving quietly through the world, leaving a trail for others to discover.”

16. “The Okapi’s body is a canvas of contrasts—each part of it tells a story of the beauty found in the unexpected.”

17. “In the shadows of the forest, the Okapi moves like a secret waiting to be discovered.”

18. “The Okapi teaches us that the most beautiful things are often hidden in places we least expect to find them.”

19. “A single glance at an Okapi reminds us that there is always more to the world than what meets the eye.”

20. “The Okapi’s gentle steps remind us that grace is not in speed, but in the careful movement of each step.”

21. “Like the Okapi, we must learn to blend in with the world around us while maintaining our own unique identity.”

22. “In the forest, the Okapi is both a part of the world and apart from it—seen and unseen, at once a symbol of connection and solitude.”

23. “The Okapi’s presence in the jungle is a reminder that there is beauty in the mysterious, and peace in the unknown.”

24. “When you see an Okapi, you learn that the wild is not a place to be conquered but a place to coexist with, to respect and understand.”

25. “The Okapi’s quiet movement speaks louder than any call—it tells us that sometimes silence holds the deepest messages.”

26. “The Okapi is the forest’s own riddle, a puzzle that only those who truly listen can solve.”

See also: All About Okapi Meaning and Symbolism

Proverbs About The Okapi

27. “The Okapi moves like a shadow in the forest, a reminder that the world’s secrets are often hidden in plain sight.”

28. “Like the Okapi’s stripes, life is made of contrasts—find balance between the light and the dark.”

29. “The Okapi teaches that patience is a gift, for those who wait often find the hidden treasures of the earth.”

30. “In the silence of the forest, the Okapi speaks without a sound, its presence felt rather than heard.”

31. “The Okapi is a living paradox—beautiful in its mystery, elusive in its grace.”

32. “The Okapi walks between worlds, neither fully one thing nor the other, yet perfectly itself.”

33. “An Okapi’s path is always hidden, for those who seek it with haste will never find it.”

34. “Just as the Okapi blends into the forest, we must learn to blend into the rhythm of life without losing our true essence.”

35. “The Okapi’s quiet presence is a reminder that sometimes the best way to move forward is by stepping softly.”

36. “In the Okapi’s gaze, we see the quiet wisdom of the jungle—waiting, watching, understanding what others cannot.”

37. “An Okapi that stands still can teach more than a thousand voices—its silence speaks volumes to those who truly listen.”

38. “The Okapi’s path is a narrow one, but those who follow it find a world of beauty unseen by others.”

39. “In the eyes of the Okapi, one sees the mystery of the forest—a world full of secrets, waiting to be unlocked by those who are patient.”

Conclusion

The Okapi, with its mysterious and elusive nature, invites us to reflect on the hidden beauty of the world. It teaches us that true beauty is not always loud or visible; sometimes it is found in the quiet, in the unexpected, and in the spaces between. The Okapi embodies the essence of mystery, a creature that walks in the shadows of the rainforest, a symbol of patience, resilience, and the art of blending into the world while remaining uniquely itself.

Through these quotes, sayings, and proverbs, we are reminded that there is much to learn from the Okapi’s way of being. Its grace lies not in speed or showiness, but in its quiet movement through the world. The Okapi shows us that we can find strength in stillness, wisdom in patience, and beauty in the hidden corners of life. Much like the Okapi itself, we too must learn to exist between worlds, embracing the mystery, while finding our own way through the journey of life.

The Okapi is a living riddle—a puzzle of nature that challenges us to seek beyond what is visible and to appreciate the silent beauty that surrounds us. By embracing the lessons that the Okapi teaches, we learn not only to see the world more clearly but to appreciate its complexity and depth. Just as the Okapi moves through the forest in quiet grace, so too must we navigate the mysteries of life with patience, respect, and an open heart.

[nordleuchten]

so, I was reading some letters between Lafayette and Washington in the founders archive, and when I came to tumblr, I saw one or two posts of yours and now I'm curious, what are your favorite quotes from letter between the two of them??

Ty for answearing and gm/gn wherever u are!! <3

Hello there :-)

I have actually answered two similar questions but I never did that explicitly for the letters between George Washington and La Fayette. I find these questions always quite hard because there are just so many interesting letters that we know of - and even more letters that we may never knew about. In general, I like those letters the best, that show historical figures as persons, a real living breathing human beings with all their interests and feelings and flaws.

February 23, 1778: La Fayette commented on the failed invasion of Canada - he makes it sounds like he just discovered a great secret, but the suspicions expressed in the letter were more or less common knowledge.

“I fancy (betwen us) that the actual scheme is to have me out of this part of the continent, and general connway in chief under the immediate direction of general gates (…)”

January 11, 1779: La Fayette wrote Washington a last farewell before returning to France for the first time during the War.

“Farewell, my dear General, I hope your french friend will ever be dear to you, I hope I Schall Soon See you again, And tell you myself with what emotion I now leave the Coast you inhabit, and with what affection, and Respect I’ll for ever be, my dear General Your Respectfull and Sincere friend”

September 30, 1779: Washington being very playful with La Fayette and Adrienne.

“But at present must pray your patience a while longer, till I can make a tender of my most respectful compliments to the Marchioness. Tell her (if you have not made a mistake, & offered your own love instead of hers to me) that I have a heart susceptable of the tenderest passion, & that it is already so strongly impressed with the most favourable ideas of her, that she must be cautious of putting loves torch to it; as you must be in fanning the flame. But here again methinks I hear you say, I am not apprehensive of danger—My wife is young—you are growing old & the atlantic is between you—All this is true, but know my good friend that no distance can keep anxious lovers long asunder, and that the Wonders of former ages may be revived in this—But alas! will you not remark that amidst all the wonders recorded in holy writ no instance can be produced where a young Woman from real inclination has prefered an old Man—This is so much against me that I shall not be able I fear to contest the prize with you—yet, under the encouragement you have given me I shall enter the list for so inestimable a jewell.”

December 8, 1784: Washington wrote this letter just after he parted ways with La Fayette who was visiting the United States right after the conclusion of the war.

“In the moment of our separation upon the road as I travelled, & every hour since—I felt all that love, respect & attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion & your merits, have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our Carriages distended, whether that was the last sight, I ever should have of you? And tho’ I wished to say no—my fears answered yes. I called to mind the days of my youth, & found they had long since fled to return no more; that I was now descending the hill, I had been 52 years climbing—& that tho’ I was blessed with a good constitution, I was of a short lived family—and might soon expect to be entombed in the dreary mansions of my father’s—These things darkened the shades & gave a gloom to the picture, consequently to my prospects of seeing you again: but I will not repine—I have had my day.”

December 21, 1784: La Fayette’s reply to Washington’s letter from December 8, 1784.

I Have Received Your Affectionate letter Of the 8th inst., and from the known Sentiments of My Heart to You, You will Easely guess what My feelings Have Been in perusing the tender Expressions of Your friendship—No, my Beloved General, our late parting was Not By Any Means a last interview—My whole Soul Revolts at the idea—and Could I Harbour it an instant, indeed, my dear General, it would make me Miserable—I well see You Never will go to franee—the Unexpressible pleasure of Embracing You in My own House, of wellcoming You in a family where Your name is adored, I do not much Expect to Experience—But to You, I shall Return, and within the walls of Mount vernon we shall Yet often Speack of old times—my firm plan is to visit now and then My friends on this Side of the Atlantick, and the Most Beloved of all friends I Ever Had, or ever will Have Any where, is too Strong an inducement for me to Return to Him, nor to think that, when Ever it is possible, I will Renew my So pleasing visits to Mount vernon.

March 17, 1790: The letter that accompanied the Key of the Bastille that La Fayette send Washington as a gift and that is still displayed in the front pallor of Mount Vernon.

“Give me leave, My dear General, to present you With a picture of the Bastille just as it looked a few days after I Had ordered its demolition, with the Main Kea of that fortress of despotism—it is a tribute Which I owe as A Son to My Adoptive father, as an aid de Camp to My General, as a Missionary of liberty to its patriarch.”

August 23, 1790: La Fayette had received news that Washington had just recovered from a very serious illness.

“What Would Have Been My feelings, Had the News of Your illness Reached me Before I knew My Beloved General, My Adoptive father was out of danger! I was Struck with Horror at the idea of the Situation You Have Been in, while I, Uninformed, and to distant from You, Was Anticipating the long waited for pleasure to Hear from You, and the Still More Endearing prospect to Visit You, and present You with the tribute of a Revolution one of Your fine Offsprings—for God’s Sake, my dear General, take Care of Your Health, don’t devote Yourself So much to the Cabinet, while Your Habit of life Has from Your Young Years, Accostumed You to a constant Exercise. (…)You may Easily Guess what I am Exposed to Suffer, what would Have Been my Situation Had I known Your illness Before the News of Your Recovery Had Conforted a Heart So Affectionately devoted to You.”

October 6, 1797: La Fayette’s first letter to Washington after the long years of his imprisonment.

“(…) in Vain Would I Attempt, My Beloved General, to Express to You the feelings of My filial Heart, when, at the Moment of this Unexpected Restoration to Liberty and Life, I find Myself Blessed With the opportunity to let you Hear from me. This Heart Has for twenty Years Been known to you—Words, that, Whatever they be, fall So Short of My Sentiments Would Not do justice to What I feel—But You Will Be Sensible of the Affectionate and delightful Emotions With Which I am Now Writing—to You, and I know also it is Not Without Some Emotion that after five Years of a death like Silence from me, You Will Read the first Lines I am at Last Enabled to write —With What Eagerness and pleasure I Would Hasten to fly to Mount Vernon, there to pour out all the Sentiments of Affection, Respect, and Gratitude Which Ever Bound me, and More than ever Bind me to You (…)”

December 25, 1799: The last letter Washington wrote to La Fayette

May 9, 1799: The last letter Washington received from La Fayette

… and I can guarantee you, as soon as I hit “post” I will realize that I have forgotten at least one other quote. Anyway - what are you favourites, if I may ask?

I hope you have/had a beautiful day!

[lightsonparkave]

HAPPY TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO LIGHTS ON PARK AVE! 🎂🎉 In celebration of LoPA’s birthday (August 22, to be exact), all of the prompts from the previous year are up for grabs.

Round 24 will end on August 31, 11:59 PM ET (what time is that for me?).

As always, you’re free to jump in whenever you’d like during the round, a wide variety of work types is accepted, and there are no minimum work requirements. Unfinished works and works for other fandom events are allowed. You can find more information about Lights on Park Ave and the participation guidelines here.

Here are all 149 prompts. Go crazy and have fun! 🎈

ROUND 13: TIME

A quote about being infinite in the present moment from The Perks of Being a Wallflower

“Vellichor,” the the strange wistfulness of used bookstores

“How long is forever?” dialogue from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

“Time” - Hans Zimmer (Inception OST)

A quote and gifset from Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016) about the nonlinear structure of time

Agnès Varda’s portraits when she was 20, 36, and 80 years old

A John Irving quote about what time does to the people who matter to us

Ten traveling back to see Rose on New Year’s Day in 2005 before he dies and reincarnates in Doctor Who

Future inventions in 2015 as seen in Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future Part II (1989)

A quote about what time does for wounds

ROUND 14: LIMINALITY

A photoset of various liminal spaces

Illustration of a black cat in front of a red-lit house with the caption, “They say no one is living here—but the lights come on, once every year”

A photoset of Victorian-era spirit photography, an art form that attempted to capture the ghost of a deceased loved one

Information on the famous Mojave phone booth, a lone telephone booth in the middle of the desert that received calls from all over the world

Rosemary Ellen Guiley’s The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits Third Edition’s definition of “witching hour”

Illustration of a ghost train on an abandoned trestle bridge in the Pacific Northwest

A quote by Isabel Allende about spirits coming out at night in the library

Gifset of the spirit world in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001)

Illustration of a neon roadside sign of a motel that only appears at night by a long-forgotten highway

“Pacific Coast Highway” - Kavinsky

A gifset quote from The Twilight Zone (1959)

Scenery from Twin Peaks season 1 (1990)

A quote about something shifting into a strange, new place inside of a person from Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

ROUND 15: LOSS

A quote about being lost and found by someone special by Sue Zhao

A photo of the Mildred, wrecked off Gurnard’s Head, Cornwall in 1912

A quote about ephemerality and the beauty of it from Troy (2004)

Two paintings of people visiting ruins by Caspar David Friedrich

A quote about desire and loss by Lara Mimosa Montes

A photo of an overgrown, abandoned conservatory

A passage about what disappears and what remains in ruins from Suicide by Édouard Levé

Dialogue about gratitude for people who aren’t meant to stay in your life but shape who you are from BoJack Horseman

A scene from Fleabag where the Priest chooses God over Fleabag and gently tells Fleabag that her love for him will pass before they part ways

A prayer to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things, people, and souls

Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, covered in lipstick kisses from admirers

Photos of a cemetery statue in Austria, wrapped in branches and dead leaves, holding a single flower

ROUND 16: DEVOTION/SERVICE

A gifset of Kevin on the phone, telling Chiron he’ll cook food for him from Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight (2016)

Buttercup’s monologue to Westley about how she would do anything for him from The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Gifs of Merlin saying that he was born to serve Arthur from BBC’s Merlin

An excerpt about giving all of oneself to someone despite what it costs from House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

A gifset of various times Jaime and Brienne demonstrate their loyalty to and love for each other in Game of Thrones

A gifset of all the different ways Cliff is there for Rick in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

A gifset of Nadia deciding to be by Alan’s side no matter what in Russian Doll

“Devotion” - Ocean Vuong

A gifset of Bond comforting a traumatized Vesper in the shower in Casino Royale (2006)

A gifset of Sookhee refusing to leave Hideko, saying her job is to look after her in Park Chanwook’s The Handmaiden (2016)

ROUND 17: DREAMS

A dreamscape gifset and quote about repressed thoughts in dreams and the Internet from Satoshi Kon’s Paprika (2006)

A gifset of Mitsuha and Taki finally meeting in their own bodies in a dream from Shinkai Makoto’s Kimi no Na wa (Your Name) (2016)

A quote by Tinker Bell telling Peter Pan where he can find her and where she’ll always love him in Steven Spielberg’s Hook (1991)

The scene where Keating tells his students that poetry, beauty, romance, and love give life meaning in Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society (1989)

An animated illustration of a storefront called “Hauntings” with a flickering “99¢ dreams” neon sign

Various dreamscape scenes and a quote about ideas being the most resilient parasite from Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010)

A quote about how all living beings must dream to survive reality from The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

A comic about people we love taking turns to visit us in dreams every night

Lovers and Sleeping Couple, two drawings by Egon Schiele

A quote about belief in a better world by Robert Frobisher to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith, in Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

A quote about the feeling of falling in love lingering when you wake up from a dream in Alexis Dos Santos’s Unmade Beds (2009)

A photo of subway graffiti by an unknown author insisting that they’ll never give up making the world a better place to live in

ROUND 18: PHYSICAL TOUCH

A scene about how to return a stolen kiss from Daniel Ribeiro’s The Way He Looks (2014)

A line about kissing someone the way a flower opens from “I Know Someone” by Mary Oliver

A gifset focusing on showing affection and care through hands from Park Chanwook’s The Handmaiden (2016)

A passage about two people leaving invisible marks on each other through the accumulation of touches over the years from A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

Two conversations about never being touched before and only being touched by one person from Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight (2016)

Going from yearning to touch someone but stopping oneself to being allowed to touch them from Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy

Moving art of two bodies made of stars and the cosmos embracing

A quote about maintaining sanity by touching someone but being separated despite proximity from The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

A line about proving that one still exists and is real through touch from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Different touches between Villanelle and Eve expressing violence, threat, sexual tension, comfort, and companionship in Killing Eve

A juxtaposition of two scenes from Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love (2000) of Su Li-zhen rejecting and accepting Chow Mo-wan’s hand

A compilation of marble sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Syd (Chris Evans) trailing kisses down London’s back in London (2005)

ROUND 19: IMMORTALITY

James Baldwin talking about how art helps you discover that people before you have experienced the same thing as you and you are not alone

Dr. Brand saying that love transcends time and space in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014)

Nadia and Alan meeting for the first time as they’re about to die and relive the same day again in Russian Doll

The loneliness of losing everyone by having a long life as expressed by Ten in Doctor Who

The doomed eternal time loop romance of Simon and Alisha from Misfits

A quote by Edvard Munch about becoming eternal through the flowers that grow from his body after death

Nagai Kei recalling the traffic accident that killed him and triggered his immortality, making him one of the rare persecuted humans to possess the power, in Ajin

A collection of moments from Jay Russell’s Tuck Everlasting (2002)

A quote by Mary Wollstonecraft hoping for something that lasts inside the heart

Various scenes with Jack Harkness from Doctor Who

Aya telling Asou-kun to live on and live forever as she nears the end of her life in 1 Litre of Tears

An excerpt about the immortalization of the self through love from “Love of the Wolf” in Hélène Cixous’s Stigmata

A collection of scenes from the Black Mirror episode ��San Junipero”

Naoko telling Toru to always remember her and remember that she existed in Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Dom explaining to Ariadne that he uses the PASIV to dream as it’s the only way that he can be with his wife and children in Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010)

ROUND 20: POETRY

“I’m Going Back to Minnesota Where Sadness Makes Sense” - Danez Smith

A line about wanting to forget how much you loved someone and then actually forgetting from Bluets by Maggie Nelson

“Perhaps the World Ends Here” - Joy Harjo

“In Time” - W. S. Merwin

“By Small and Small: Midnight to Four A.M.” - Jack Gilbert

“Magdalene: The Addict” - Marie Howe

“Wild Geese” - Mary Oliver

“Morphology 2″ - CJ Scruton

“20″ from Moscow in the Plague Year by Marina Tsvetaeva

“To Hold” - Li-Young Lee

ROUND 21: LONGING

“I Loved You Before I Was Born” - Li-Young Lee

A poem about longing for someone through worlds by Izumi Shikibu

A gifset of Marianne and Héloïse falling in love from Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

“Make Me Feel” - Janelle Monáe

A quote about living in longing being better than realizing that longing from 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

“I Want You” - Mitski

Orpheus and Eurydice in Hades - Friedrich Heinrich Füger

Long definition of the word “saudade”

Definition of the word “hiraeth”

“Something About Us” - Daft Punk

Two lines about burning quietly from the poem “The Pillowcase” by Annelyse Gelman

A conversation about wanting each other after decades of separation from Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory (2019)

A Hanahaki disease mood board

“Shrike” - Hozier

Two lines about wanting someone to return from Herakles by Euripides

“Love of My Life” - Queen

“Eyes, Nose, Lips” - Taeyang

A screenshot of Kathy and Tommy holding onto each other desperately from Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go (2010) and a quote from Kazuo Ishiguro’s eponymous novel

ROUND 22: YOUTH

“Perfect Places” - Lorde

A piece about realizing you’ll never be this young again, but it’s the first time you’re this old by Kalyn Roseanne Livernois

A conversation between Neil and Mr. Keating about Neil feeling trapped and unable to live the life he wants because of his father from Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society (1989)

An excerpt about being too young to know how to love properly from Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” - Arctic Monkeys

Elio’s father telling Elio not to try to rid himself of his sorrow and pain—and with that joy—which he feels so strongly because he’s so young from Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

A quote about how everything feels final to young people because they’re experiencing it for the first time from Middlemarch by George Eliot

Lara Jean telling Peter that she had to make it seem like she liked him to deal with her love letter fiasco in Susan Johnson’s To All the Boys I Loved Before (2018)

Rue and Jules dancing together and partying it up in Euphoria

“Le Plongeoir” by Laurent Roch

A quote about being pushed into adulthood and not being ready from Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

A photo of a roller rink illuminated by pink and purple lights

Pastel photo series of Coney Island by Mijoo Kim and Minjin Kang

“Hips Don’t Lie” - Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean

“Young Dumb & Broke” - Khalid

Different moments accompanied by the letter to Mr. Vernon at the end of detention from John Hughes’s The Breakfast Club (1985)

Various scenes and a quote about growing up and realizing life isn’t like a fairy tale from Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Stills of the young lesbian couple in love from the music video of “You Know” - Jaurim

Lines by Effy about her emotional and mental struggles from Skins

Nathan chiding the group for not taking advantage of their superpowers as young offenders from Misfits

ROUND 23: HEDONISM

A passage about giving into passion and losing control from The Secret History by Donna Tartt

“Thot Shit” - Megan Thee Stallion

An aesthetic photoset of the Greek god Dionysus

A quote about living for ecstasy rather than balance from From a Journal of Love by Anaïs Nin

A photo of an anonymous person in nothing but a silk robe and lingerie

A photo of Donatella Versace lounging in a chair, surrounded by shirtless, muscular men sunbathing around her in Capri, Italy in 1994

An aesthetic photoset based on The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The music video for “Heartless” by The Weeknd

A plea for summer to never end from Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

“Plastic Love” - Mariya Takeuchi

A gifset from the music video of “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, a continuation of the “Heartless” music video

“XS” - Rina Sawayama

A gifset from the music video of “Body” by Mino

Photos of people dancing at the legendary Studio 54

Photos and a description of the party scene at Studio 54

Chris Evans and Evan Rachel Wood hooking up in a car in the “Gucci Guilty Black” commercial

[writingwithcolor]

British Bangladeshi Muslim 21 Year Old

I’m usually a lurker on this blog but, I’ve decided to send in a POC profile - mainly because it’s so rare for me to see someone like me represented in the media. In fact, I’m not certain I’ve ever seen someone Bangladeshi represented in mainstream media 

Beauty Standards 

Colourism is a very big thing still in the Bangladeshi community. My parent’s generation, despite liking to think that they’re very open minded still fall into the trap of the narrow minded view so present in the older generations. I’ve always fallen on the fairer side and as I grew up and developed mild iron deficiency, people would comment on how beautiful my skin was (and some people use the Bengali word for beautiful as being synonymous for fair), whilst my younger sister who is on the darker side but very rarely gets such comments. 

Clothing 

On a day to day basis, I wear casual English clothes or more casual Asian clothing around the house. But, for special occasions where I’m going to be with other Bengali people, I do tend to wear traditional clothing. Essentially, all the women in our house have two wardrobes; one with English clothes and one with Asian clothes. Although, nowadays, the English wardrobe seems to be growing more and more packed. A quick thing - traditional Asian clothes, especially those that are very flashy and embroidered, are heavy and so people don’t tend to wear them that often. 

But - it differs between person to person. My mum wears English clothes around the home but her older sister wears a saree - a plainer saree but a saree none the less. 

Culture 

Culture is an odd one for me because I’ve never felt as if I belonged to either one. Growing up, I didn’t fit into the typical English stereotype because I wasn’t Caucasian and I grew up bilingual. I’d also hear all these bad things about Bangladesh, and the experiences others had around me would mould the opinion I had of a country my family still refer to as their motherland. But, as I’ve grown older and actually started to make opinions for myself, I’ve begun to accept that I can be a part of both, I don’t need to be one or the other. 

Dating and Romance

In my family at least, ‘dating’ is done with the intention to marry. It all remains very chaste - with very little/no physical affection - until after marriage and almost all dates are with chaperones. The only ones that happen without chaperones are those in secret or those happening after the engagement. Nowadays, I feel like love marriages are the norm and most couples meet through being introduced by other people. 

Food

Food is a big part of our culture. In fact, if you’re invited to someone’s house, or if you pop in for five minutes, it’s considered rude to not sit down and have a cup of tea or even to have an entire meal. Food is one of the ways that we show affection for each other and, especially for important days like Eid, food plays a central role. Eating a meal together on a festival day like Eid is one of the few days of the year when all the adults and all the children gather together and spend time together. 

In my home at least, rice and curry is a staple. As Bangladesh is mainly riverine, fish is an important part of the diet. In fact, there’s a saying that if you can’t eat fish, you’re not really Bengali (which makes things a bit awkward for my uncle who is allergic to fish) and in some families there’s a tradition of a new bride cooking a fish curry on the second day of marriage. I’m not sure why, but it’s a thing. 

Home/Family life/ Friendship

I could talk about family for ages … 

My family is on the big side with my Mum being one of eight and my Dad being one of six. I’m one of three, but all of my cousins are considered like siblings - because we were raised as siblings. The familial bond is an important one and it’s often one that’s a burden to bear. For instance, as I’m the oldest granddaughter/niece/cousin I’m called affa by every cousin younger than me (Affa meaning older sister) and this burden is quite a heavy one to bear. It means that when the cousins experience any issues, they run to you to sort it out whether it’s something small or something big and it’s a burden I don’t mind shouldering. After all, it’s one I’ll likely have to carry for the rest of my life. 

Everyone older than you is treated with respect - even if you don’t want to respect them at all. For some reason, it’s an important thing.

Friendship between Bengali girls is … something else. Often we’ll break off and have our own conversation in Bengali as if it’s some sort of secret code and this usually comes in extremely handy when discussing secret birthday party plans in front of the person whose birthday we’re planning. Personally, my parents have never been strict that I can’t have any male friends - I honestly don’t think they care but I know of other parents who insist that their daughters can’t have male friends. 

Language 

To me particularly, the language was an important thing. I grew up bilingual because my grandparents lived with us and they couldn’t communicate in English. But, I don’t remember ever making the effort to learn it - it was something I picked up. I certainly can’t read or write in Bengali but I can speak it. However, this ability doesn’t seem to have transferred to my sister and most of the younger cousins. Most of my younger cousins can’t speak Bengali and so struggle to communicate with our grandparents and it’s sad to say but this isn’t strange at all. Many of the new generation British Bangladeshi’s can’t speak the language and in fact, they don’t care to learn it because they don’t see it as being worth passing along. 

Religion

As a Muslim woman, I find myself being constantly policed. Whether it’s by the media or by those around me. There seems to be a misconception that if a woman wears a hijab (the head covering) then she is the epitome of all things chaste and virtuous - but that’s not always the case. There are so many hijabis I know that don’t pray five times a day or keep their fasts or they drink etc. In fact, I’ve met a lot of muslim women who don’t wear hijab but their niyyah (intention) and their behaviour is inline with religion - my sister being an example. 

The basic 5 pillars of islam, the first of which is the shahadah which is the declaration of faith. This is whispered by father’s into their children’s ears at birth and is the last thing whispered into someone’s ear as they pass away.

The daily prayers are the second - with 5 prayers throughout the day and this is something I know many people struggle with, but I personally think that faith is a personal thing - you alone know your struggles. If you are praying 5 times a day and you are ridiculing someone who only prays once, you may think you’re doing the right thing. But for all you know - that person who prays once a day may be someone who reverted to the faith (revert being what we call converts) and they may be on the road to accepting Islam. Your two minutes of ridicule may even turn someone else away from peace they were hoping to find in Islam.

Zakat is the third which refers to giving alms to the poor and this is often done in the month of Ramadan. 

Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar and during this month, Muslims fast from sun rise to sunset and we’re not allowed to drink or eat anything. (And yes - this includes water. Not even water? Is a question we always get)

The final pillar, the fifth refers to Hajj which is the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Everyone who is able to afford the trip and can make it, should complete it at least once in their lives. All my family who have been, have said that it is the most peaceful time they’ve ever spent in their lives. 

Things I’d like to see less of…

Muslim girls being ‘repressed’ by wearing the hijab and having a curfew and being secretly rebellious once they leave the home.

 Yes, I have a curfew but mostly it’s because my parent’s are terrified after hearing of all the stabbings and the acid attacks that happen to hijab wearing Muslim women

The overly strict father figure who is unreasonable and adores sons over his daughters. 

My father was on the strict side yes, but I realise now, after growing up and talking to him that it was all shaped on his own experiences. Yes, he might not have let me play in the streets until late like other kids but it was because when he was young, if he stayed out too late the racist teens would approach the Bengali children and attack them. My father was strict, but in the way that other parents in his position will be. (If anything, my mother is stricter … and the worst thing she does is text me a list of chores that she wants me to do whilst she’s at work)

That brings me onto the next point; the mother who stays at home being uneducated and relying on her husband for everything. 

There’s nothing wrong with that - but the issue comes when this character is used to put down Bengali women, to try and show how much better Caucasian educated women are. 

Another thing I absolutely can’t stand is the idea of a Bengali girl falling for some plain, boring Caucasian boy and he removes the wool from over her eyes, teaching her how repressed she was and how she should embrace this Western lifestyle. When a boy tried that on me in my first year of uni, I walked away from him the moment he told me that he has a hijab kink because Muslim girls are and I quote ‘untouched and I can teach them everything’.

Things I’d like to see more of…

Supportive family units. 

Whilst I might fall out with my parents every now and then, as is natural, they still support me. My father and I often head out for little ice cream cafe dates and my mother is teaching me to cook (although her cooking style tends to be put enough of this in and enough of that - there’s no measurements of anything) and my siblings and cousins and I gather as a whole every weekend. Those of us that live close enough to anyway. The 20+ of us that do gather, take over a house and all between the ages of 21 and 5 tend to be unruly and can go crazy but it’s a dynamic no one seems to want to represent.

The educated hijabi. 

Goodness, I can’t stand seeing the trope of a girl wanting to marry and pop out babies and etc - yes, it’s a valid trope but again, so many people use it to show how backwards we are. My eyes are even rolling now - Bengali Muslim girls are amongst some of the most driven people I have met and this is usually because the older women in our families weren’t given these opportunities and most people instantly assume that we’re not going to get far. 

Casual mentions of Islam - religion is a big part of a character. 

But I hate it being a controversial thing especially since Islam literally translates to ‘peace gained through submission to Allah’ and newsflash, Allah is the arabic word for God. That’s it. Why can’t we have characters who have to be home before sunset because they need to pray? Or hijabis needing to go shopping for a new headscarf or even phrases like 'this top would be so cute if it weren’t see through’ or 'if only this dress was floor length and then I wouldn’t have to wear leggings with it. I hate having to wear leggings in the heat’. These are things I regularly say! 

Wooow, this is long and I kind of ended up rambling. But I hope it helps someone! 

Read more POC Profiles here or submit your own.

[funsink]

Living Life in the Moment Quotes That Will Remind You to Enjoy Life Today

Liiving in the moment is one of the best pieces of advice to give and to take. So here are some of the best quotes to inspire you and enjoy.

1. “Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.” ― Walt Whitman

2. “We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” ― Bill Watterson

3. “The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment.” ― Lauren Kate

4. “Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.” ― Mandy Hale

5. “Instead of bracing yourself for the perils of the unknown, embrace the joy that is here, in your present moment.” ― Michelle D. Rosado

6. “Some moments are happy. Some moments are sad. Live each moment. Embrace life!” ― Avijeet Das

7. “I want to see you happy. I want you to live in the moment and smile spontaneously. Your entire face lights up. It’s beautiful.” ― Kerry Lonsdale

8. “If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in that way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ― M.J. Ryan

9. “Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for your life to begin and start making the most of the moment you are in.” ― Germany Kent

10. “We need to embrace every day and enjoy it as much as we can.” ― Karen Todd Scarpulla

11. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

12. “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

13. “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” ― Amit Ray

14. “Life is about dancing in the rain while the sun sings its music and the rainbows deliver hope. It is in being totally and fully present with ourselves, that we can live a whole lifetime in a single moment.” ― Mimi Novic

15. “Your life is your own quote, so define it.” ― Shashidhar Sa

16. “Life is not something we put on the backburner hoping to get to live further down the line” ― Adiela Akoo

17. “Don’t live the same day over and over again and call that a life. Life is about evolving mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.” ― Germany Kent

18. “Enjoy today. It is one of the “good old days” you will miss in the future!” ― Etta Sawyerr

19. “Wake up to a brand new day and realize why you woke up to meet the day! Live to the end of another day and understand why you lived in the day!” ― Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

20. “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.” ― Thomas S. Monson

21. “Life is a preparation for the future, and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.” ― Albert Einstein

For more family centred content, check out www.funsink.com.

[findingnirvana294]

Hey there, its been awhile since I have actually written and posted something. Opened tumblr and held my fingers over the keyboard - plenty of times. I do  not know why I stopped writing, I guess I could no longer put into words the confusion, frustration and pain that has predominantly shadowed my life. Not to say that every day was gloomy, but looking back there were quite a few rock bottoms I am surprised I managed to pull out of.

“when i hit the rock bottom that exists after the rock bottom and no rope or hand appeared i wondered what if nothing wants me because i do not want me - i am both the poison and the antidote” - Rupi Kaur

Nonetheless, we do not look back, we focus on the present and embrace what it will propel us to in the future. As Albert Camus once said, “real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present.”

So let me tell you about the now. I have joined the wave of “spirituality” and “yoga/meditation” if you will. To be honest, I do more that just share and post quotes on my instagram!  It all started with a book. The 12 Rules: The Antidote to Chaos by J Peterson, a Canadian psychologist professor. Despite the controversial theories and speculation he presents during his interviews, I found his book to be intellectually stimulating. How he eloquently weaved politics, culture, religion, history into one paragraph in order to demonstrate a simple point as: be precise with your speech. Which has been one of the many recurring topics in the subsequent books I've read when it comes to mindfulness and awareness. Luis Muniz´s The Four Agreements has the first agreement “to be impeccable with your words.” The Four Agreements, although enlightening and straightforward, was not as intellectually stimulating, but then again I have a “knack” for history being used to demonstrate a point in modern day situations.

I have read plenty of books on self-awareness, mindfulness and spirituality. I still do. Some of the main benefits of reading about the same topic in different books are: you keep reading the same advice and practices but through different writing styles, methods of approach until it sinks in your mind. It takes 21 days to replace a habit so keep reading and keep applying what you read!

“You sow a thought, you reap an action. Reap an action, you sow a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap your destiny” - Robin Sharma

As Robin Sharama wrote in “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari:” some books are meant to be tasted, chewed and some swallowed whole. To get the most out of a great book, you must study it, not just read it.”

By now, anyone who knows me might be shocked that I would read any genre but fiction. Or even quote or dare explore spirituality. But that is the beauty of being human, the ability to step out of our bodies, out of our conscious and analyse our thoughts and actions. To determine if there is congruency in our thoughts, minds, actions and energy. Simply put, i began meditating. I wanted to explore myself, understand who I am and what I am about. My conclusion? I am a pretty awesome woman! It was not an easy journey to begin to love myself simply because I did not even know that I did not love myself. It is all in the lack of congruency of ourselves that we begin to notice. To try and explain in a real life example, I would go to events or dinners that would drain my energy and cause me to be irritated which would in turn lead me to take it out on someone near me. Firstly, I did not respect myself enough to say “no” to doing something that would drain my energy. Secondly, I did not have self mastery, or control over my emotions, the ability to recognise that I was irritated and why. Thirdly, the act of passing the negative energy to people around me when they had no fault.  The moment you make a decision on what you allow to affect you, how you respond to this negative action and how you choose to digest it, your life changes consequently.

The above example was one of thousands I have began to explore and rectify. Do not be fooled, it is a never ending task. We should always strive to improve ourselves, to compete with ourselves to be a better person than we were yesterday (kaizen). My latest challenge in my journey was to build a home in myself, not in a boyfriend or a close friend. Be my own home. Seems simple enough, right? Nope! Not at all ! I doubt myself all the time, not to mention my judgement. Which lead me to realise that if I do not even trust myself, how can I trust others or have others trust me? And just like that, I realised congruency was a more far fetched notion when it came to a whole Samantha. My meditation is now focused on exploring my mind, my emotions, my body and above all, my spirituality that brings it all together. What enables me to find my dharma (Life´s purpose).

I am currently sitting in my office as I write this and have tears of joy that I have managed to find the courage in me to write again. To not be ashamed of experience and emotions but rather embrace it as it has made me the woman I am today. This everlasting journey of mine, my kaizen.

To wrap up 2018, I will leave you with Rupi Kaur´s words:

it has been one of the greatest and most difficult years of my life. i learned everything is temporary. moments. feelings. people. flowers. i learned love is about giving. everything. and letting it hurt. i learned vulnerability is always the right choice because it is easy to be cold in a world that makes it so very difficult to remain soft. i learned all things come in twos. life and death. pain and joy. salt and sugar. me and you. it is the balance of the universe. it has been the year of hurting so bad but living so good. making friends out of strangers. making strangers out of friends.  (The Sun & Her Flowers)

Namaste

[goodnightlovemessagesforher1]

Cute Romantic Good Night Messages for her to Make Your Soulmate Sleep with Full of Romantic Dreams

#1. Let all your worries subside, All your sadness disappear. All the baggage which you have been carrying all along fall. Let sleep invade your senses and make you welcome an energetic morning tomorrow. Have a Safe Sleep!

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#2. Love entered those crevices which were long ago buried. Making its way slowly and steadily towards the only thing which I called mine – My heart which is no longer mine now. Have a Lovely Sleep!

#3. Allow those little eyes to surrender, those little legs to stretch a bit. Let those sweet dreams engulf you in a fantasy world, away from the Chaos of life into serenity. Have a Blissful Sleep!

Love Status: VISIT MORE ❤ Love Attitude Status For Girl & Boy Love Shayari

#4. I wish one day when I wake up, I have you next to me. I wish one day when I sleep, I dream of you and find you next to me. Have a Dreamy Sleep!

#5. You are my prayer, my reason to wake up every morning and my reason to sleep early at night. Have a Good Sleep!

#6. I miss you with every passing second, I miss your warmth, I miss the way everything feels alright with you. I miss your embrace. I miss you. Have an Amazing Night!

#7. I love the way you curl up like a baby who is about to fall asleep. I love the way you let out your deepest worries and call it a day. I love everything about you. But, more importantly, I love you. Have a Splendid Night!

#8. Always blossom even in those dark times, always smile when the road is dainty. Remember I am always with you in your fears and in your darkest times. Have a Sound Sleep!

#9. Have hope even in those toughest phases of life, Have faith in those times because only the hard times taught you about life then anything could have. Have a Blessed Night!

#10. Never belittle yourself, dear,  You’re everything to me- a beautiful butterfly. Spreading its wings slowly to fly and reach great heights. Have a Secured Sleep!

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Never belittle yourself, dear,  You’re everything to me- a beautiful butterfly. #11. The memories which you have given me are worth a million dollars. I hope I can treasure it until my last heartbeats. Have a Dreamy Night!

#12. Loving you was always a privilege, Liking you a hobby and thinking about you my daily routine. Have a Mesmerizing Sleep!

#13. Sleeping with you in mind, Waking up to your sweet voice. I dream this every day of my life with you always by my side. Have a Sound Sleep!

#14. Holding your hands in those times, Promising a good time. I wish I could be with you in your dull time and love you till I see your smile. Have a Decent Sleep!

#15. You are special and always have been in my every moment and my every breath. I owe you my existence and all of me. Have a Special Night!

#16. I am waiting to take you into my arms and let all your worries dissipate afar. Wishing you a beautiful sleep till all your fears burry down deep. Have a Worry-free Night!

#17. Always sleep with a big smile and let the frown take a back seat. Healthy Smile will surely cause A Healthy Sleep. Have a Healthy Sleep!

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#18. Stars shine with all its might, Sharing its light even in the shrine. You are a star in my life & you have made my life all bright. Have a Sunny Sleep!

#19. When your eyes search for mine, I fall for you again in that time. Don’t do this to me, Love me only once, I can’t die every time you say that. Have a Lazy Night!

When your eyes search for mine, I fall for you again in that time #20. End your hectic day with a positive hope, Surrendering yourself to those positive dreams. Have a Cuddly Night!

#21. Sweep me into your arms, Cuddle with me for the night. Let me love you and show you how it feels to be loved. Have a Passionate Night!

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#22. Multiply your love, Divide your sorrows, Live a life nobody could have thought of. Have a Dozy Night!

#23. Love heals if given a fair chance, will you give me one? Have a Drowsy Night!

#24. Every day when the sun sets down It’s a call for everyone to rest and get prepared for the next day at Sun’s Dawn. Have an Energetic Night!

#25. The whole sky sometimes convey my message to you with a moon I feel complete, Without one I feel blue. Have a Starry-eyed Night!

#26. Let pillow be your companion when I am not there. I can trust that thing because things won’t start loving you. Have a Sluggish Night!

#27. Sleep without your negative thoughts, leaving them aside for a while. Focus on our best memories, It’ll refresh you with a smile. Have a Positive Night!

#28. Those unforgettable memories of us are fresh and sweet still reminds me of the best, this life could ever offer. Have a Peaceful Night!

#29. You are beautiful because of the way you stood up for me when No-one else believed in me. I owe you my life for it. Have a Loved Night!

#30. My mind has you always etched in it, Making me wonder how lucky I am to have you in my life. Have a Decent Night!

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My mind has you always etched in it #31. Love always makes you do things you never thought you would do. Like, the first time I met you. Have a Sluggish Night!

#32. Count every night for your blessings and pray for all those who don’t get what they want. Life will be simpler if you show gratitude towards it. Have a Sanctified Night!

#33. Take hold of all those emotions which deter you from your goal. I will always be with you in your support and care. Have a Strong Night!

#34. Never let your eyes drop tears for something unworthy. Let it always sparkle with something amazing spreading it’s glitter all around. Have a Sparky Night!

#35. Don’t toss and turn in your bed thinking about me. Call me whenever you feel and I’ll be there to reduce your anxiety. Have a Complete Sleep!

#36. The brightest stars in my life are not planetary objects. It’s you, my family, My everything. I love you. Have a Starry Night!

#37. Those pristine moments spent with you, Always inspire me in my bad times to work for our better future, our better relationship & for a better US. Have a Pristine Night!

#38. Lucky are those people who get to see you every day to stay by your side every day to get to know every intricate detail about you. I wish to be the luckiest. I wish to be the one and only luckiest. Have a Divine Night!

#39. Your dreams are mine now, Your ambitions are mine now, Your little heart I didn’t ask for is mine now. So, can your surname be also mine now? Have a thoughtful Night!

#40. You buried those scars, Those harsh memories. I feel secure with you. I feel safe with you. I feel at home with you. Have a Worthy Night!

#41. You’ll always have me wishing you Good Night, sweet dreams until the day I can no longer breathe. Have a Sweet Night!

#42. I always wish to see you happy through thick and thin, through all the four seasons. Have the Longest Night!

#43. I want to grow old with you, I want to die right in your arms, I want to be there for you. I want to hold tight to our memories. I want to love you more. Have a Loving Night!

#44. Life can never be dull with you in it. Have a Bright Night!

#45. When I close those eyes all I see is you. All I feel is you. I love you. Have a Warm Night!

#46. Life is all about coincidences. But, my favorite is you. Have a Quiet Night!

#47. I am glad about all the chances I ever took because that’s how we met. Have a Snooze-free Night!

#48. Love like there is no tomorrow, Live like there is no death. Have a Lively Night!

#49. I wish to paint the galaxies for you to see those stars glitter in your eyes. Have a Glistening Night!

#50. Don’t ever let worry overpower your present moment. I’ll always be praying to make you happy with each passing moment. Have a Wrinkle-free Sleep!

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Don’t ever let worry overpower your present moment #51. Be the girl of your own life leading it your own way. Have a Beautiful Night!

#52. Distance doesn’t matter when hearts are connected through Strings of love, care, and empathy. Have a Carefree Night!

#53. Think about all the lovely times we spent together whenever distressed. Have a Tension-free Sleep!

#54. Love like there is no end to life. Have a Pretty Night!

#55. I like to see those pretty eyes which only look at me unaware of the whole world around. Have an Appealing Night!

#56. I am the luckiest person to have you in my life through every darkest phase of my life. Have an Upbeat Night!

#57. I want to visit those memory lanes where we rekindle our love for each other. Have an Exquisite Night!

#58. Look at Moon and think of me, like I am looking at Moon and thinking about you. Have a Deep Sleep!

#59. My heart always beats fast when your sweet melodious voice makes its way to my heart. I love your Voice. Have a Hearty Night!

#60. Don’t be sad because I cannot tolerate a single frown on your face. Have a Happy Sleep!

#61. I wish you to be the first person to wish me for the day and last person to wish me for the life. Have a Snoozing Sleep!

#62. My Heart no longer beats for me, It only dances at your voice, Sings at your moves and loves your every mood. Have an Energetic Sleep!

#63. You’re the sweetest angel whom God has sent to make my world a happier place to live in. Have a Saccharine Sleep!

#64. I have shared with you my darkest moments which I no longer fear because you have made me forget them. Have a Fearless Sleep!

#65. Through those dainty paths when I go, I remember the rough phases we shared. Life would have been remorse if it wouldn’t have been with you. Have a Love-filled Sleep!

#66. These lonely nights are a punishment for making you sad or cry. I am sorry for all that, forgive me. Have a Hearty Night!

#67. Don’t ever feel alone or sad, call me, and I’ll make you glad. Have a Good Night!

#68. I have those isolated nights where I feel devoid of any feelings. But, then one message from you eases away all my drowsiness. Have a Superb Sleep!

#69. Live life queen size with A million dollar smile. Have an Awesome Sleep!

#70. When you wear my favorite color when you just dress up for me. When you laugh at my jokes. I love you and your every little action. Have a Great Night!

#71. Those beautiful eyes make me forget my words sometimes. Such power you hold on me. Have a Fine Sleep!

#72. My dreams are all incomplete without you in it. Don’t ever leave me. Have a Wonderful Night!

My dreams are all incomplete without you in it #73. Your words work magic on me, Breaking all the barriers life ever laid on me. Have a break-free Sleep!

#74. You are my Angel, My Savior, My Best Friend, My Comforting Arm, My Soothing Shoulder, My home my Everything. I love you. Have a Quixotic Sleep!

#75. I love your facial expressions on everything you say or do, Making me wonder how lucky I am to meet you. Have a Love-full Sleep!

#76. Don’t go to the stars; there are way too many. Aim for the moon like I did, only just like you. Have a Shining Night!

#77. I will always love you until life falls apart, and we count our last breaths together. Have a Magnificent Sleep!

#78. Your hands perfectly fit in mine, so does our destiny. Have a Fateful Night!

#79. My wishes always fall short in front of your prayers. Have a Blessed Night!

#80. Always smile and let the world wonder what is she up to? Have a wonderful good night sleep!

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[marcusssanderson]

50 Transformation Quotes for Elevating Your Mind and Body

These transformation quotes will help you become who you really want to be.

Are you living up to your full potential? Are you learning new skills, going after the things you want, and chasing your desires? Or are you like most people who live ordinary lives with plenty left on the table?

Most people lack the drive to try anything else and change their situation for the better, so they live their lives waiting for something to happen. They just sit and keep doing nothing to transform their lives.

But with the right attitude and a little bit of guidance, you can live up to your full potential. You can surmount your challenges regardless of their scale. You can create habits that allow you to live the life of your dreams.

If you’re on a path you don’t want, or are struggling to implement positive changes in your life, inspiring words from wise souls can give you the drive to change your trajectory.

To help you achieve your highest potential, below is our collection of inspirational, wise, and thought-provoking transformation quotes, transformation sayings, and transformation proverbs, collected from a variety of sources over the years.

Transformation quotes for elevating your mind and body

1.) “Real transformation requires real honesty. If you want to move forward – get real with yourself.”  – Bryant McGill

2.) “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you implement that effort into your life. Every single day, that’s where transformation happens. That’s how change occurs. Keep going. Remember why you started.”   – Anonymous

3.) “You and I possess within ourselves at every moment of our lives, under all circumstances, the power to transform the quality of our lives.”  – Werner Erhard

4.) “Don’t fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today.”  – Michael Hyatt

5.) “Embrace each challenge in your life as an opportunity for self-transformation.”  – Bernie S. Siegel

6.) “You have to love yourself enough to set a standard for your life that you’re unwilling to compromise. If you accept the standards of others for your life, you’ll never be happy.”  – Tony Gaskins

7.) “Change can be hard. It requires no extra effort to settle for the same old thing. Auto-pilot keeps us locked into past patterns. But transforming your life? That requires courage, commitment, and effort. It’s tempting to stay camped in the zone of That’s-Just-How-It-Is. But to get to the really good stuff in life, you have to be willing to become an explorer and adventurer.”  – John Mark Green

8.) “Each tiny effort builds on the next, so that brick by brick, magnificent things can be created.” – Robin Sharma

9.) “The wings of transformation are born of patience and struggle.”  – Janet S. Dickens

10.) “Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.”  – Rick Warren

Transformation quotes to help you become who you really want to be

11.) “When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”  – Joseph Campbell

12.) “The only way you survive is you continuously transform into something else. It’s this idea of continuous transformation that makes you an innovation company.” – Ginni Rometty

13.) “Life is a moving, breathing thing. We have to be willing to constantly evolve. Perfection is constant transformation.” – Nia Peeples

14.) “You have to maintain a culture of transformation and stay true to your values.” – Jeff Weiner

15.) “Don’t ever empty the bucket of mystery. Never let people define what you do. It’s not about zigging when you should zag. It’s not about doing something unprecedented and unpredictable. It’s just about never being a word, or something that is not in the process of transformation.” – Marilyn Manson

16.) “You can’t have a physical transformation until you have a spiritual transformation.” – Cory Booker

17.) “We need to realize that our path to transformation is through our mistakes. We’re meant to make mistakes, recognize them, and move on to become unlimited.” – Yehuda Berg

18.) “When you find your definitions in God, you find the very purpose for which you were created. Put your hand into God’s hand, know His absolutes, demonstrate His love, present His truth, and the message of redemption and transformation will take hold.” – Ravi Zacharias

19.) “I think that any time of great pain is a time of transformation, a fertile time to plant new seeds.” –  Debbie Ford

20.) “Every good business story has a conflict and triumph at the core and a turning point where a transformation takes place.” – Dinesh Paliwal

Transformation quotes to help you live a life you’re proud of

21.) “The purpose of meditation is personal transformation.” –  Henepola Gunaratana

22.) “When someone chooses to value herself over the things she can buy, true transformation begins.” – Suze Orman

23.) “Transformation in the world happens when people are healed and start investing in other people.” –  Michael W. Smith

24.) “Changing is not just changing the things outside of us. First of all we need the right view that transcends all notions including of being and non-being, creator and creature, mind and spirit. That kind of insight is crucial for transformation and healing.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

25.) “The great solution to all human problems is individual inner transformation.” – Vernon Howard

26.) “Genuine equality between the sexes can only be realized in the process of the socialist transformation of society as a whole.” – Mao Zedong

27.) “It’s important to recognize that forgiveness is more than mere words; it’s a heart attitude that induces a spiritual transformation.” – Victoria Osteen

28.) “All girls know that they can be anything now. That transformation is to me one of the most satisfying things.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

29.) “For me, the key to longevity – and immortality, in a sense – has to do with transformation.” – Marilyn Manson

30.) “In the kind of world, we have today, transformation of humanity might well be our only real hope for survival.” – Stanislav Grof

Transformation quotes that will give you the drive to change your situation for the better

31.) “If you start thinking of stress as not a bad thing but inevitable, resulting in change that itself leads to transformation that leads to sharp and radical changes… it can be a very useful way of thinking.” – Marilyn Ferguson

32.) “The art of transformation is a very important thing to me, and I always believe I can say something more truthful through characters that are further away from me.” – Andy Serkis

33.) “My transformation represents more than what is just skin deep; it represents my motivation, drive, and willingness to constantly improve.” –  Jinder Mahal

34.) “Transformation is an ongoing process that tends to appear ordinary, when, in fact, something extraordinary is taking place.” – Suzy Ross

35.) “Nothing gets transformed in your life until your mind is transformed.” – Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

36.) “The key to our transformation is simply this: the better we know ourselves the better equipped we will be to make our choices wisely.” – Gregg Braden

37.) “Transformation does not start with someone else changing you; transformation is an inner self reworking of what you are now to what you will be.” – Byron Pulsifer

38.) “To transform yourself, you don’t need to do big things. Just do small things in big way. Transformation will follow you.” – Rahul Sinha

39.) “It is our own thoughts that hold the key to miraculous transformation.” – Marianne Williamson

40.) “Transformation does not happen by learning new information. It happens when you change how you view and react to other people, events and things around you.” – Med Jones

More transformation quotes to help you change your habits and life

41.) “As the caterpillar undergoes transformation within the cocoon before emerging as a butterfly; likewise, life experiences shape character.” – Lorna Jackie

42.) “I know this transformation is painful, but you’re not falling apart; you’re just falling into something different, with a new capacity to be beautiful.” – William C. Hannan

43.) “One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” – Abraham Maslow

44.) “The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change.” – Bill Clinton

45.) “Growth and self-transformation cannot be delegated.”  – Lewis Mumford

46.) “The way must be in you; the destination also must be in you and not somewhere else in space or time. If that kind of self-transformation is being realized in you, you will arrive.”  – Nhat Hanh

47.) “Self-transformation is not just about changing yourself. It means shifting yourself to a completely new dimension of experience and perception.”  – Jaggi Vasudev

48.) “Transformation is not five minutes from now; it’s a present activity. In this moment you can make a different choice, and it’s these small choices and successes that build up over time to help cultivate a healthy self-image and self-esteem.”  – Jillian Michaels

49.) “Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent.” – Nolan Ryan

50.) “There are things I can’t force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.”  – Denis Diderot

Which of these transformation quotes was your favorite?

Most people struggle to make adjustments in their lives. When they find themselves in the wrong direction, they lack the strength and drive to pick themselves up and get back on the path to fulfilling their passions.

Though habit changing isn’t simple, you have the potential to become who you really want to be. Hopefully, the above quotes will help put you on a path to becoming who you truly want to be.

Which of these transformation quotes resonated with you best? Do you have any other favorite quotes to add? Let us know in the comment section below.

The post 50 Transformation Quotes for Elevating Your Mind and Body appeared first on Everyday Power.

[oxfordeliterp]

CONGRATULATIONS, NINA!

You have been accepted to play the role of CHARLES ZERILLI with the faceclaim of BRANDON PEREA. Please create your account and send it to the main in the next 24 hours. I believe I have read your application over and over, each time more charmed, each time more amazed of the lightheartedness and innocence you could write into Charles’ personality without tainting his party-animal & mafia heir ways. He is humane, palpable, real, delicious in his naivety and already a joy to read and watch in action. I can only imagine what kind of surprises await for us once you bring him in the game. You caught subtle elements of his personality and almost read my mind and every headcanon you came up with was so brilliant in its simplicity, which describes your writing as well. Thank you for this refreshing reading and such an unique take on what could have been a ‘simple’ character.

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

Name and pronouns: Nina, she/her.

Age: 21 yo.

Time-zone: BRT.

Activity level: I’m  currently finishing undergrad school, and that’s pretty much all I’m focusing my time on rn. So, I’ll be checking the dash every day and plotting/answering to threads every time I can get to my computer. I would be a solid 7 out of 10, I think.

Triggers: None, thanks!

IN CHARACTER INFORMATION

Desired character: Charles Zerilli. What first appealed to me was the heir of a Detroit Mafia sotto capo thing. That’s quite the kind of character that gets me going, to be honest. I played it a couple of times before, and every time I get a chance, I do it again and again and again. But passed that, I kinda fell in love with how non-cliché Charlie ends up being. He’s someone who loves his family unconditionally, but can’t quite embrace who they expect him to be. And how complex that sounds to such a balck-and-white kinda guy made me really excited to test his limits, to see how far he would go for them, and how peace and violence co-exist in him. Hence my choice.

Gender and pronouns of the character: Cis Male, he/him/his.

Changes: I would like to change Charlie’s faceclaim to Brandon Perea, if possible, as I talked to the admin before (more like, asked if that would work and stuff, but yeah). Thanks!

Traits:  Charles lives by a fundamental value: loyalty to a cause, to a person or to a principle as an unbreakable vow. He believes that respect, understanding of hierarchy and an accomplished role in society comes from this very trait, and does everything in his power to follow it, no matter how fond or not he’s of the subject of his loyalty. But being loyal also made him unforgiving, once unless you share his DNA, he’s incapable of forgetting and/or forgiving any gesture or action that goes against what he believes. Yes, he’ll be polite, smile and treat you as politely as you could expect, but he won’t care for you. Not for a second time, anyway. Because, in the end of the day, he’s nothing if not genuine. There’s no grand plan behind anything he does. Charles is capable of loving unconditionally, and will always part from the understanding that every single person has no second intentions, just what stands in plain sight. It’s not naivety, though, it’s just his black-and-white self speaking louder than his experience.

Unfortunately, because there’s no resemblance of a plan, Charles can be rather inconsequent.He does what he feels is right for him at that very moment, for h also strongly believes he’s not obliged to be the same person every hour of every day. As anything organic, Charles is in constant transformation and he loves it. He sees it as the very reason we exist for. To change, to be creative and to transform ourselves into better versions every day, through all of our ups and downs.

Extras: So, I’ve got a blog to help me write applications and stuff, and I made a tag for Charlie there with: wardrobe inspiration, aesthetics, moodboards, Zarilli twins, headcanons, quotes, quick facts and songs. Hopefully, it’ll help understand how I see Charlie.

PARA SAMPLE

Detroit, 2016.

TW: murder, drug abuse, gun.

Charles Zerilli was a child of tradition.

He prayed in a milenar church, was born in a family of inherited trade, generation after generation, and served his purpose in life as the costume told him too. Dress well, behave well, and you might have some success in life. For greatness was hidden in the details, his mother used to say.

Curious how tradition was precisely what made him shiver once his gaze met his reflection in the mirror. Charles looked just like his father. The tailored suit, the leather belt, shoes and holster, the pair of Smith&Wesson Shields beneath his jacket.

                               An improved copy, father said with a smile.

They were off to work, then. Loudly, and yet, without pronouncing a word. Violently, and yet, looking as peaceful as the absence of life that followed them. This was the sight of the Zerilli family, the modus operandi they stood by. And Charles was thankful to the cocaine running through his system.

                                It got him going. Got him steady and fierce.

His father pretended not to notice or not to care, his mother looked the other way, and they all followed as planned. Down to the next stop: small business, just collecting money. For father wanted him to understand the small details of their operation. Always those freaking details.

But the poor guy had no money to give them.

Charles prayed for it not to happen. Exhaustively. No money meant guns, and guns meant death, and that meant more blood in his hands. Because a Zerilli must learn the value of life and of death, and there was nothing like killing to teach you that lesson. It was what tradition said. He knew it far too well.

“Charles”, father said, imperiously. ‘Kill him, now’, it meant. ’Graphically, violently. So no one will make the same mistake, so your name will be known in the streets and people will understand that you’re no child, no stupid heir’.

So he pulled out his gun, hands steady in his leather gloves as he pointed it at the miserable man’s forehead. But the racing heart inside his chest threatened to come out, to runaway towards shelter. He thought of Charlotte in the end of that barrel, and not all the cocaine in the world would make him less religious, less guilt and destroyed.

                                                                                                        F U C K.

His father looked at him, puzzled eyebrows arching as he did. There was no time left to pray for his soul, or for his victim`s salvation. Charles pulled the trigger. Small to no recoil and the man was dead. Bleeding out on the floor of his shop. Father smiled, still puzzled. “Why the delay, son?”, he asked, rather amused.

“Just… thinking of where to shoot”, Charles said, dismissively, and father laughed. “Well, you made the right choice”.

Right choice. Why, then, Charles felt like he couldn’t move further away from such a concept? He was tearing apart, and no fixing would put him back into one piece. There was no coming back from a murder. And that wasn’t even his first. He would burn in hell throughout all eternity and he had his own family to thank for that.

London, 2016.

TW: drug abuse.

Under the faint lights of the club’s bathroom, Charles resented his approaching sobriety.

A song by Years & Years played outside the disgusting door behind him, while men came inside with little to no dignity left. He was already able to discern what dignity actually meant. It wan’t pleasing. A bad sign, by all means.

For this was a night to forget. To be someone else entirely. So what use would sobriety have? Or self-respect, on that matter?

It didn’t take long, then, to his eyes depart from the mirror and look down as he went through his pockets. Once his fingers touched the small plastic bag, it all started to get better, brighter. One, two, three lines of coke and he was back in his game. Heart racing inside his chest, pupils dilated, a joy so great that it was barely handled.

He went back out, the song taking him further into the dancing crowd. Charles was barely standing, barely dressed. Just in the right spot.

                           “What are you prepared to do?”

His hands went up, Charlie laughed. That was the taste of freedom. Body unconsciously moving, names so far away from his mind he didn’t quite remember them. This was it. Perfection in its most wild form.

                          “I think I’m gonna make it worse"

And it seemed epidemic. Every corner he looked, there was more of it. People dancing, sweating against each other. Bodies moved, senseless. Drinks passed on, recklessly. He wasn’t sure about the name of the girl dancing with him, nor was he sure about where he got the beer he was holding, but Charles didn’t care. He laughed, again. He danced. He was  f r e e.

                          "I talk to you but it don’t work                                   I touch you but it starts to hurt                                       What have I been doing wrong?                                               Tell me what it is you want”

No expectations to meet, no problems to solve. Just that moment, that girl, that ridiculously high sex he would have and a morning of questionable integrity. Maybe there would only be a new future, if he destroyed his present first. Or maybe destruction was never the plan.

But Charles saw beauty in it. In that drunk frenesi he was stuck on.

London, 2017.

“Who the fuck are you?” was all Charles managed to say before he turned away from the mirror, sick of his own sight.

He couldn’t stand it. The loss in his eyes. For it was hard to find comfort in his own reflection lately. As long as he ignored, it was ok. He went on to his perfect world, and perfect amusement. Facade. But there were moments in life that ignorance was no longer acceptable, and he had to acknowledge he was unbecoming.

He turned off the water in the bathtub. Time to forget. No help from alcohol or drugs. Just allowing himself to process and move on. To get back his center, find peace. So he undressed himself and stepped into the warm water. Charles was prepared to pour himself out in that single moment, and leave the bathroom a new man.

At least, until the knock on his door made him aware of his own exposure. “Charlie”, he heard his sister call as the door fell open.

“I’m naked, get the fuck out”, Charles mumbled indifferently, eyes still closed as Charlotte arched a brow at him. “Because I never saw your fucking penis before…”. But she did. More than Charles was able to admit, and probably more often than adult siblings should see each other naked. But there was no point, she was already getting in the bathtub, kicking his legs away to make room and soaking her impeccable clothes and the bathroom floor.

“What the fuck, Charlie?” he sat down. “Felt like it”, she answered, and he cursed under his breath. He just wasn’t in the mood for that whole thing, and Charlotte knew. From the moment she opened the door and saw him, she knew and still came in anyway.

“I’m not buying this, Charlie. I know you, and I feel what you feel, which is creepy and highly inconvenient. So, stop. I’m not here for your fucking act. You can either pour your troubled little heart out to me, or enjoy the embarrassing silence, because I’m staying, and you better like it”.

And that was what having his soul outside his body meant.

It was sensing he was falling apart and coming anyway.                                      It was being told to leave, and deciding to stay. It was embarrassing, and at the same time, comforting.                                      It was  h o m e.

So Charles just went silent. He stared at her and laughed soundlessly. As long as he had Charlotte, things would work out. Unrequited love, family problems, drug addiction. It all felt small when he looked at her. She understood without him saying a word, she made it better just by being herself, and somehow, Charles knew that his twin was probably the best part of being him. His soul was all that mattered.

“I kinda hate you right now”, he said at last. Charotte snorted. Such an ugly lie.

[ma-kedia-blog]

Enjoy the Failures

Doesn’t that sound strange, “enjoy your failures”? Succeed, win, achieve, that is the anthem that has rung in our ears since we were young; shunning failure and perceiving it to be the ugly stepchild. Of course, we all want to succeed in life, and success is a beautiful place to be, but sometimes we need a little failure in our lives. Allow me to explain, failure presents the opportunity for knowledge to be gained, it gives way for discovery. Failure is a fuel to ignite thorough thought. I am solely speaking on my own experience, but when a problem presents itself and resolve is immediately required, there is no need to invest any additional energy into that single issue. Unaware of the potentially more prosperous applications that could have resolved that same matter. Even though possibilities are endless, sometimes we cut ourselves short because something has worked.

Are there areas in your life that work, but you still feel there is something missing? Or rather does life seem to be working and while life is working, you are in autopilot? I know you have caught yourself daydreaming while you were driving and before you know it, you were pulling up in your driveway like…” I don’t know how I got here” …confused and thankful that Jesus took the wheel (LOL). Unconsciously is how most of us, as human beings, live for several reasons. One reason seems to be a fear of failure. We have been trained and raised to cultivate societal standards, capture surety, and to cherish security; which is a false sense in and of itself, but that is a different conversation. In this western society, we are fed daily; since birth to follow a path that worked for someone else—go to school, compete to be the best, go to the best colleges and get a great education, find a job that provides a competitive salary and outstanding benefits, work hard within that industry and work your way to the top. I am not against education and I am not against working for someone in or outside of corporate America until you are 65 years old, it just seems that someone thought of a path and the masses followed. Because what alternatives were you exposed to—maybe the military or work in a minimum wage job and live a minimal lifestyle? There is absolutely nothing wrong with you making those decisions too as long as YOU actually made the decisions for yourself, and not simply accepting the path because you were trained to ‘choose one of the following.’ You must realize you have a choice to choose the path and the outcome of your existence. Live the life you desire, whichever path your purpose offers you, trek forward with confidence knowing that you have no idea what lies ahead but whatever it is, it is worth it. Within the vicinity of purpose, fear has no place. However, failure is necessary for the growth and maturity that potentially awaits its end.

The association of fear and failure seem to walk hand and hand in the shadowy corners of our minds. The misconception of this seemingly unbreakable relationship between the two is solely imposed upon us due to miseducation (thank you Lauryn Hill—lol).  Mark Frankel, a US philosopher, tackles the initial barrier surrounding the study of fear saying— “The study of fear and the other emotions is not the preserve of psychotherapists or professors of philosophy. Rather it is done by any thoughtful person who meditates upon his or her own feelings, thoughts and actions”. It is for those of us who want to dismiss fear, delight in failure, and denounce falsehoods to begin to study the why behind the what. Why do I fear failure? Who taught me to fear failure? Why do I possess an objective perspective upon failure? We must begin to think for ourselves, actively creating the world we desire—starting with our perspectives. When we change our perspectives, we change our lives. Therefore, I choose to enjoy the failures in life, and show gratitude for the opportunity to think wiser, more thorough thoughts. The growth received from that opportunity birthed through failure is infinite in its applicability. Consistently challenging yourself in thought increases your own standard of logic. Developing a desire to concentrate your energy to think beyond social normality and fed knowledge, and apply that to any opportunity life may bring. Conscious behavior, such as facing the truth of fear and embracing the opportunities of failures, can become active in our lives with a desired awareness, adequate education, and constant applied mental effort. “We must begin to focus on making ourselves better and not just thinking that we are” (Bohdi Sanders, The Secrets of Worldly Wisdom: Your Key to Unlocking Success).

Whether we realize it or not, we all are looking for more in our lives—more power, more will, more of something! Some of us ignore that desire, some passively begin to ponder, and others search for resources that will help us gain that power. Most times we may see someone who has attributes that we do not display in our daily lives nor in our occasional discoveries of character or abilities, and we begin to desire that which we see in someone else. Beyond desire, we may perceive ourselves as less because we do not see in ourselves that light we see in others. Again, miseducation has shown its face; Nisargadatta Maharaj provided clarity so well when he stated, “All you need is already within you, only you must approach yourself with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors.” Therefore, it is not a lack of possession that is present, rather a lack of awareness and activity. In this comprehension, it becomes evident that if we change our perspectives we change our lives. If I recognize, reverence and love the energy, the life force—Spirit who lives within me, I overstand it is not a matter of acquiring a power or trait but activating that dormant ability. It is not our ability in our flesh but the life force within that leads us and shows us who we are. We all can decide how we view failure, with fear or faith. In my own work, I have found the first area of power that must become active within us is the power of perspective.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “There are no facts, only interpretations.” Our interpretations are shaped by our experiences and our experiences by our emotions and our emotions arise through choice. What decision do you choose to make regarding activating the power of your perspective? Anyone can practice conscious decision making, at any point of the day. Daily practice is necessary, when someone cuts you off in traffic STOP and think, what decision do I want to make in this situation? And begin to think of the benefits and blockages that may occur; what good will rise from this situation? What am I accomplishing with this decision? Are you focused on making yourself better? We must begin to think consciously and not impulsively. Notice when you are about to do something habitual, stop in that moment and intentionally make a conscious decision to accomplish the same task using a different method. Begin to evaluate the things you refuse to try because of a fear you would fail or it would not be accepted by society. Whether it is a change of hairstyle, trying a different style of clothing, starting those in-home workouts you pinned to your Pinterest health and fitness board, whatever! Just go for it, because you can only live today. We do not worry about, ‘what if I don’t keep it up next week?’ We only do today, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV)

I would like to share a story with you all:

During a research experiment a marine biologist placed a shark into a large holding tank and then released several small bait fish into the tank.

As you would expect, the shark quickly swam around the tank, attacked and ate the smaller fish. The marine biologist then inserted a strong piece of clear fiberglass into the tank, creating two separate partitions. She then put the shark on one side of the fiberglass and a new set of bait fish on the other.

Again, the shark quickly attacked.  This time, however, the shark slammed into the fiberglass divider and bounced off.  Undeterred, the shark kept repeating this behavior every few minutes to no avail.  Meanwhile, the bait fish swam around unharmed in the second partition.  Eventually, about an hour into the experiment, the shark gave up.

This experiment was repeated several dozen times over the next few weeks.  Each time, the shark got less aggressive and made fewer attempts to attack the bait fish, until eventually the shark got tired of hitting the fiberglass divider and simply stopped attacking altogether.

The marine biologist then removed the fiberglass divider, but the shark didn’t attack.  The shark was trained to believe a barrier existed between it and the bait fish, so the bait fish swam wherever they wished, free from harm.

The moral:  Many of us, after experiencing setbacks and failures, emotionally give up and stop trying. Like the shark in the story, we believe that because we were unsuccessful in the past, we will always be unsuccessful. In other words, we continue to see a barrier in our heads, even when no ‘real’ barrier exists between where we are and where we want to go.

 (http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/05/21/4-short-stories-change-the-way-you-think/)

Just like this shark some of us have stayed contained because of life’s failures, we must grow in patience and thought. We must learn to let go of what has kept us from trying, embracing failure can be as easy or as hard as you make it. A great quote by Henry Ford states, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Acceptance of failure causes one to face, evaluate, and eliminate fear and doubt. Therefore, the question to yourself would be, ‘are you ready to face your fears’? Facing your fears engenders truth—truth of who you are, truth of your desires, truth of your endurance, flaws and strengths. This path of truth is not for the faint of heart, it’s not given to the swift nor the strong but if you endure…welcome to freedom.

 Be love, 

Ma’Kedia                            

[micaramel]

Artist: Yasumasa Morimura

Venue: Hara Museum, Tokyo

Exhibition Title: Yasumasa Morimura: Ego Obscura, Tokyo 2020

Date: January 25 – June 7, 2020

Click here to view slideshow

Full gallery of images, press release and link available after the jump.

Images:

Images courtesy of the artist and Hara Museum, Tokyo. Photos by Keizo Kioku.

Press Release:

No matter how deeply I searched within myself, I could never find anything resembling a center, much less any kind of truth. From the time I was a child, the only thing I knew for sure was that there was a vast emptiness there. If anything, things like truth, values and ideas, existed outside my body, and like clothes, I was free to change them whenever I liked. This concept made a lot more sense to me than anything else.

from Ego Obscura

The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is proud to present Yasumasa Morimura: Ego Obscura, Tokyo 2020. In his acclaimed photographic self-portraits, Morimura re-enacts famous paintings, movies and moments in history, injecting himself as the protagonist. By reincarnating himself through the skillful use of makeup and costume, he transcends the time, race and gender of the subject while imbuing it with a meta-commentary uniquely his own. Making a splash in 1985 with his debut work Portrait (Van Gogh), Morimura has persistently explored the theme of the “self” through his photographic works, and more recently through self-produced, -scripted and -acted video works and live performances.

This exhibition comes on the heels of Morimura’s highly successful Yasumasa Morimura: Ego Obscura held last year at the Japan Society in New York. For this Tokyo version, he has rearranged his video work entitled Ego Obscura, which, along with a lecture performance, comprises the centerpiece of the show. In the video, Morimura appears as Emperor Hirohito, General Douglas MacArthur, Marilyn Monroe and Yukio Mishima – iconic figures that are deeply etched into the collective memory of the Japanese people. Born in Osaka in 1951 during the post-war occupation by the Allied Forces, Morimura was educated at a time when the country’s pre-war teachings had been rejected and the resulting “void” infiltrated by Western values. This experience led him to see truth, values and ideas as things that “reside outside the body,” which like clothes could be “freely changed” at will (quoted from Ego Obscura).[1]

For over 30 years, Morimura has injected himself into the history of Western art. What ideas did he embrace as he went beyond notions of race and gender? Those ideas, which form the background from which his works were born, are given voice in the exhibition’s titular video work Ego Obscura, which engendered a strong response in New York. They are encompassed in the title “Ego Obscura,” an unfamiliar word that Morimura uses to refer to what he describes as “an ambiguous ego wrapped in darkness.” In 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympics fifty-five years after the first Olympics which symbolized the country’s postwar revival, in self-portraits imbued with complex feelings towards a motherland that go beyond mere affection, Morimura directs the question “what is the “self” ?” not only to us, but to the nation of Japan itself as well.

Highlights of the Exhibition 1. Ego Obscura, Tokyo 2020 Lecture Performance Morimura will give a lecture performance of his work Ego Obscura, Tokyo 2020. Dates: January 25 (Sat.), 26 (Sun.), February 22 (Sat.), 23 (Sun.), March 20 (Friday/national holiday), 21 (Sat.), April 12 (Sun.) Time: 16:00 – 17:00 *Performance will be held in Japanese only. *Reservations required. Free with museum admission. Details will be posted on the museum website.

2. Yasumasa Morimura and the Hara Museum

Morimura’s previous exhibitions at the Hara Museum include Rembrandt’s Room (1994), which delves deeply into the “self” using as his theme the great 17th century painter from the Netherlands and the light and dark aspects of his life, and Morimura Self-Portraits: An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (2001), which presents the life, loves and death of the great 20th-century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo through festively rendered images. Another work, Rondo, is a unique permanent installation that Morimura made using one of the building’s toilets in 1994. While undergoing occasional changes in clothing, Rondo stands as one of the museum’s defining trademarks.

3. Morimura to Juxtapose His Famous Early Work Portrait (Futago) born of Manet’s Olympia with His New Work Une moderne Olympia 2018

Morimura’s famous Portrait (Futago) (1988) which he created early in his career, takes as its subject Edouard Manet’s Olympia (1865), a work that changed the course of modern painting. In it, Morimura, a person of the so-called “yellow race” and of the male gender, assumes the roles of both the white prostitute and black servant painted by Manet. Now, thirty years later, Morimura has unveiled his most recent work, Une moderne Olympia 2018, in which the figure whose nakedness is exposed to the public gaze looks back with a gaze even more intense. Here, the young prostitute has been changed into a geisha reminiscent of Madame Butterfly and the black servant into a Western male reminiscent of Pinkerton. The exhibition features a new work by Morimura based on Manet’s other masterpiece made late in his career, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. We invite you to view Morimura’s presentation of these various protagonists and the complex interaction that arises between them.

Yasumasa Morimura

Born 1951 in Osaka, where he continues to live and work. Completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at Kyoto City University of Arts. He made his debut in 1985 with self-portrait works based on his personal interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh. He has since produced a number of self-portraits in elaborated staged photographic and video works, with himself incarnated as art-historical images, famous film actresses and iconic figures from the 20th century.

In 1988, Morimura was invited to take part in the Aperto section of the 43rd Venice Biennale. In the years since, he has participated in countless important exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. He draws his main themes from famous paintings by such iconic artists as Van Gogh, Velázquez, Goya, Vermeer and Frida Kahlo, as well as images from movies and other forms of pop culture and mass media, as seen in his Requiem series. Not only does he grapple with the issues of identity and gender in these images, Morimura uses them as meta-commentaries that posit questions to himself and to his audience, about the role of painting and photography as forms of media.

His solo exhibitions include The Sickness unto Beauty: Self-portrait as Actress (Yokohama Museum of Art, Yokohama, 1996), Self-Portrait as Art History (Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo and two other venues, 1998), Morimura Self-Portraits: An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, 2001), A Requiem: Art on Top of the Battlefield (Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Tokyo and other venues, 2010), Yasumasa Morimura: Theater of the Self (The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, 2013), The Self-Portraits of YASUMASA MORIMURA: My Art, My Story, My Art History (National Museum of Art, Osaka, 2016), Yasumasa Morimura. The history of the self-portrait (The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, 2017) and Yasumasa Morimura: Ego Obscura (Japan Society, New York, 2018).

In 2014, he was the artistic director of Yokohama Triennale.

In 2018, Morimura performed Yasumasa Morimura: Nippon Cha Cha Cha! at the Pompidou Metz (Metz, France), Minato City Gender Equality Center’s Libra Hall (Tokyo) and the Japan Society (New York).

In 2018, the Morimura @ Museum was opened in Kitakagaya, Osaka.

His publications include Self-Portrait as Actress: Yasumasa Morimura, Nigensha Co., Ltd, 2010; Manebu Art History (imitating art history), Akaaka Art Publishing Inc., 2010; Taidan Nanimonokaheno Requiem/20 Seiki wo Shikosuru (conversations about requiem/considering the 20th century), Iwanami Shoten Publishers, 2011; Bijutsu, Otoseyo (art, respond!), Chikumashobo Ltd., 2014 and Jigazo no Yukue (the whereabouts of self-portrait), Kobunsha Co., Ltd., 2019.

He has received a number of awards for his achievements, including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize of Fine Arts (2007), 52th Mainichi Art Prize (2011), Photographic Society of Japan Award (2011) and also one of the most prestigious awards in the field of art and science, the Order of Purple Ribbon (2011).

Link: Yasumasa Morimura at Hara Museum

from Contemporary Art Daily https://bit.ly/2Wq4Utl

[liberalcom-blog]

The Compassion Revolution: 30 Days of Living from the Heart

https://liber-al.com/?p=44146&wpwautoposter=1562419417 Return to Your Innate, Kind Self through 30 Days of Self-Love, Peace, and Living from the Heart Now is the time to embrace your true nature of kindness. With uplifting stories, contemplation prompts, meditations, and other fun activities, you’ll immerse yourself in compassion while drawing inspiration from Amy Leigh Mercree’s positive perspective. The Compassion Revolution includes practical ideas like technology curfews, personal dance parties, rewiring your brain, and social media hashtags and quotes to help you connect with the compassion movement. Praise: “Get ready to set your compassion compass to its true north. This is a soul stirring and spiritually satisfying read.”-Emma Mildon, bestselling author of The Soul Searcher’s Handbook “Amy reminds us . . . that we can each embrace the transformative presence of divine love within ourselves.”-Tosha Silver, author of Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead Editorial Reviews Praise: “Get ready to set your compassion compass to its true north. This is a soul stirring and spiritually satisfying read.”-Emma Mildon, bestselling author of The Soul Searcher’s Handbook “Amy reminds us…that we can each embrace the transformative presence of divine love within ourselves.”-Tosha Silver, author of Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead “Tools and cultivation are all it takes to live the life of your dreams. Amy’s book is a literary light that will help illuminate the path to personal greatness.”-Sheila Kelley, actress, TedX Speaker, author, creator of S Factor “Amy Leigh Mercree is part cheerleader, part spiritual seer.”-Peggy McColl, New York Times bestselling author “Amy is on a mission to illuminate the path to happiness. She shows us that every small step adds up to big love and joy.”-Linda Joy, bestselling publisher, Aspire Magazine and Inspired Living Publishing “Let Amy be your teacher, she lives and breathes her message of health, happiness, and freedom.”mdash;Shannon Kaiser, joy guru and best-selling author of Adventures for Your Soul: 21 Ways to Transform Your Habits and Reach Your Full Potential “Amy’s mission is to help you infuse your life with bliss. We all want more of that! She takes you on a journey to create happiness on your terms.”-Chellie Campbell, author of The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction “Amy Leigh Mercree teaches us all how to live joy and cultivate beauty in our lives. I love this author.”-Patricia Leavy, PhD, bestselling author of Low-Fat Love “If you are searching for happiness and fulfillment, pick up this book and a jump start your journey today.”-Dr. Laurie Nadel, best-selling author of Dr. Laurie Nadel’s Sixth Sense: Unlocking You Ultimate Mind Power “Amy provides an inspired resource for self-love and happiness.”-Dani DiPirro, author of The Positively Present Guide to Life: How to Make the Most of Every Moment “Amy Leigh Mercree is on a passionate mission to support you in your quest to live life to the fullest! She’s your cheerleader plus your guide to access the deepest truths within your soul.”-Kristi Ling, author of Operation Happiness: The 3-Step Plan to Creating a Life of Lasting Joy, Abundant Energy, and Radical Bliss “Filled with suggestions and examples, I believe many people will find exactly what they need to enhance their inner (and outer!) lives through this book.”-Dina Proctor, author of Madly Chasing Peace: How I Went From Hell to Happy in Nine Minutes a Day “The Compassion Revolution is a beautiful book that’ll inspire profound change in your life, on every level. It’ll invite you to speak to yourself and others with more gentleness, relate to yourself and others with more kindness, and show up in the world for yourself and others in a more loving and mindful way. It’s time to embrace self-compassion, and this book will help you do just that, and so much more.”-Cassie Mendoza-Jones, author of You Are Enough – From the Publisher

[jumpsitehq]

Top 100+ Sweet Romantic Good Morning Text Messages for Him

How happy would your girlfriend be when you present her with good morning messages having quotes and wishes for her? It would refresh her morning, and it would add a spark to her day. So we have collected some of the Top 100+ Sweet Romantic Good Morning Text Messages for Him. There is a possibility that she might return you a sweet message, or a kiss via phone. Sending good morning messages tailor-made for your girlfriend is not easy, and it requires a lot of creativity depending on the nature that your girlfriend might be having. We also have a great collection of Sweet Good Night Messages for Him.

TOP LIST OF UNIVERSAL GOOD MORNING MESSAGES FOR HIM

1. “It really doesn’t matter whether I drink coffee or tea. I’ll always feel the same as long as you’re thinking about me.” 2. “The warmth of the sun’s rays reminds me that we were meant to be together. Each time I see the sun rise, I realize how lucky I am to get to spend another day with you.” 3. “Before you open your eyes and have your first yawn; before you step outside to meet the dawn; before you sip your morning coffee, I hope that you close your eyes and think only of me.” 4. “You know what I’m doing right now? Gazing outside the window at the morning sun while I sip on my morning coffee and think of you. This is the best part of the day. Good morning!” 5. “I could send you the most profound or beautiful love quote in the world, but it wouldn’t do our love any justice. It wasn’t chance that brought us together. It was destiny.” 6. “The sunrise was beautiful, but it can’t compare to our love. The glow that you have brought into my life is more radiant and beautiful than a million sunrises.” 7. “I just want to come over, hug you tight and kiss you good morning.” 8. “My love, you are the sweetest of dreams come true.” 9. “I love the sun, but sometimes it rises too soon. All I want is some more time to dream about you – the man who makes me weak in the knees. Xoxo” 10. “Many girls dream of being with a guy as handsome and sweet as you. I dream about it too, but I’m the luckiest one of all. Why? Because I live out my dream every single day.” 11. “The radiant colors of the morning sunrise aren’t nearly as dreamy as the kisses and hugs that you give me.” 12. “Night has gone now and so has the moon. The sun shines against a sky so blue. Open your eyes, dear – there’s a new message just for you. Good morning!” 13. “Just thinking of you brightens my morning.” 14. “I don’t need coffee in the morning. All I need is your love to give me that extra boost I need to make it through the day.” 15. “Did you feel extra warm this morning? That’s because I sent you hugs from my dreams. Good morning!” 16. “On this beautiful morning, I wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you. You were my first thought the moment I opened my eyes. You are one amazing guy. I hope that your day is just as amazing.” 17. “All of the stars in the galaxy could never outshine my love for you. A lifetime of sunrises could never compare to the light you bring into my life.” 18. “I hope that all of your wishes come true today. Sending you positive vibes and a big hug to let you know how much I love you.” 19. “Much of the joy in my morning is because of you. Much of the happiness in the moments of the day are because of you. My life wouldn’t be so great without you in it. I love you, my sweet.” 20. “Each morning provides you with endless opportunities to be glad, especially when your first thought of the day is me.”

Good Morning SMS

21. “A beautiful morning is incomplete without the sun’s yellow hue. My morning is incomplete without seeing you.” 22. “Follow these five steps to having a great morning: 1. Open up your eyes. 2. Take a deep breath. 3. Get out from under the covers. 4. Get out of bed. 5. Read my sweet message.” 23. “Good morning, love! Thank you for always being there. Thank you for being my only dear. Thank you for being near. Ever grateful am I, my dear.” 24. “Every morning that I wake up, I forget all of the things that make me sad. That’s because I only need one reason to make me happy, and that reason is YOU.” 25. “Good morning to my knight in shining armor. The one man who can make all of my troubles and sorrows disappear with just one kiss. Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life.” 26. “Whenever I close my eyes at night, I think of you. When I wake in the morning, I think of you again. There is nothing I can do without always thinking of you.” 27. “Wake up lazy bones! It’s time to embrace a new day. Welcome success and happiness. Have a great morning.” 28. “Each morning with you is beautiful. It starts with your love, and your love stays with me all day long. Good morning, my sweet.” 29. “Your kisses and hugs are the only sunshine I’ll ever need.” 30. “It may be raining today, but thanks to you, I only see sunny skies. You will always brighten up my day.” 31. “You, my love, have replaced all of my worries with happiness; all of my nightmares with beautiful dreams; and all of my fears with nothing but pure love. Good morning!” 32. “Mornings are so lonely without you. My first thought when I wake up is how much I wish you were here to give me warm hugs and cuddles. I miss you!” 33. “It was chilly this morning – until I thought of you. The mere mention of your name and the thought of your embrace warmed me right up.” 34. “The morning sun is slowly creeping through the blinds, but the only thing on my mind is being with you.” 35. “You know – I really hate sending you morning text messages. I would much rather be with you night and day so that I can love you in every way. As a new day starts, I wanted to tell you that I love you with all of my heart.” 36. “I love the sun. Each time it rises, it gives me yet another chance to spend the day with you. And you are the one and only guy I dream about at night.” 37. “The best part of my morning is that I’m thinking of you. The worst part of my morning is that I’m far away from you.” 38. “I can make your morning coffee perfect. Just add a pinch of my hugs and a heaping teaspoon of my love.” 39. “So many girls need to put on makeup in the morning to feel confident. All I need is to think about you. Good morning, love!” 40. “Each morning is like a painting: you need some inspiration to get moving, the silhouette of that beautiful smile on your face, and a message from someone you love to color the day.”

Good Morning Wishes

41. “You are the light that brightens my dark world; the music in my quiet heart; the very first thought in my day. Good morning, handsome.” 42. “Mornings are a blessing – even if the skies are cloudy. Each time the sun rises, we have hope that we can hold each other again.” 43. “With you by my side, I know that every single day will be filled with joy. With your heart in mine, I know that we can take on anything that life brings.” 44. “Do you know why it’s such a good morning? Because I know I have you.” 45. “I hope that your morning is as bright as your handsome smile. I hope that the rest of your day is as sweet as our love.” 46. “The sun would be darkness without your light. The coolness of the day would be sweltering hot without the gentle breeze of your love. My sleeping and waking would cease to be if it were not for your love. Xoxo” 47. “Each morning, my love for you grows. With each passing day, I feel I am getting so much closer to you. I need you in the morning and every day. You are my dream love. Good morning.” 48. “The lion may be the king of the jungle, but you are the king of my heart. Long live the king! I love you now and forever.” 49. “The sun and the sky are shining, but I’m shining, too. Why? Because I woke up dreaming about you. Thank you for being such an important part of my life. I hope your day is as wonderful as you.” 50. “Sending you a big hug so that you can start off your day with enthusiasm. I love being your girl because you make me feel so special. Good morning!” 51. “The best mornings are with you. The warmth of your cuddles and the tickling of your kiss helps me greet the day with confidence and joy. Even when you aren’t here, the thought of you reminds me that I have nothing to fear. Time to wake up and face the morning!” 52. “Today is going to be a beautiful day. Care to join me for a picnic in the park?” 53. “Good morning! If I were with you right now, I’d shower you with kisses. Wishing you all the best this morning and the rest of the day.” 54. “If I were beside you this morning, I would gaze into your eyes and wake you up with a sweet morning kiss.” 55. “Isn’t it amazing how just the thought of you brightens up my entire morning. Your love is what carries me through the day. Knowing I’ll see your handsome face when I get home makes each day worthwhile.” 56. “Boy am I tired. All I did was dreaming of you all night. I didn’t want to wake up!” 57. “Good morning – time to greet the dawn. I hope you have a perfect day and know that I love you in every way.” 58. “I can’t wait for the day when I can finally wake up right next to you. All I want is to fall asleep in your arms and to wake up next to your handsome face each morning.” 59. “If I were with you this morning, I would make you a big plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I’d top if off with a kiss from me.” 60. “Good morning, love! Did you sleep well, or were you too busy dreaming about us? I know I was.”

Good Morning Messages

61. “Hey, babe – can I have you for breakfast in bed this morning?” 62. “I hope your morning is as nice as your sexy butt! 🙂 ” 63. “If I as there I’d be kissing you right now.” 64. “I can’t wait for the chance to get you all hot and bothered.” 65. “I tasted you in my dreams. I woke up knowing exactly what I want for my breakfast.” 66. “Mornings were made for sleeping, wild sex, and bacon!” 67. “Hey sexy, could you put me on your to-do list this morning? I will gladly do the same.” 68. “I want you in the worst way… your taste, scent, and feel of your warm skin next to mine… I want it all right now my love.” 69. “It is not that I am horny all the time… It´s just that you are always f**king sexy my love. Good morning.” 70. “I do not think you understand just how much I want your lips right now! Good morning handsome.” 71. “I dream about you at night when I’m rolling around in bed. When I dream, I remember the sweet things you’ve said to me. With every breath I take, I think about you. Good morning, love.” 72. “I woke up this morning in a sweat. It’s not because the morning was too hot, but because my dreams about you last night were sweltering. I miss you, handsome. Good morning!” 73. “As the sun peeps through the curtains, it spies us wrapped up in each other’s arms. Good morning! Xoxo” 74. “I can’t wait to see you today. I’m counting down the minutes until I can see your face.” 75. “Every morning I’m filled with delight that’s just as radiant as the sunlight. Do you know why? Because I get the chance to tell you just how much I truly love you. I wish you a good morning, my love.” 76. “Just thinking of your love gives me tickling sensations. The thought of your sweet embrace is more joyful than a lifetime of ecstasy. Good morning!” 77. “So….what color boxers are you going to wear today?” 78. “Good morning babe. I’ve got a special surprise for you later.” 79. “I was freezing this morning, and the thought of you made me hot.” 80. “I wish your strong arms were around me right now.”

Good Morning MSG

81. “Knock, knock. Guess who brought coffee and breakfast? Come downstairs and meet me at the door.” (Don’t forget to bring coffee and breakfast when sending this message!) 82. “I hear the pitter-patter of the morning rain, but it really doesn’t matter if the skies are gray. As long we are together, it’s a lovely day.” 83. “I try to live in the present, but I can’t help but dream about our past and future; the beautiful memories we’ve created, and the happy times that have yet to come.” 84. “Life is an open book that’s yet to be written. Each day is a new page. Let the very first words in your new chapter be “Good morning to you” my handsome man.” 85. “How is the most handsome fellow in the world doing this morning? Come downstairs and get some breakfast – and a kiss.” 86. “My life is sweet, but it’s even sweeter with you. My heart is lovely, but it’s even lovelier with you. I feel great, but I feel even greater when I am with you. We are meant to be forever. Good morning, my sweet.” 87. “We all need a little jolt in the morning to get our day started. Come downstairs, and I’ll give you that jolt you need. Oh, and I made coffee, too.” 88. “Hey, handsome! It’s time to get up, drink your coffee, eat some breakfast and brush your teeth. Your reward? A big kiss from me!” 89. “I don’t think you know how great it is to wake up each morning knowing that you are mine, and I am yours.” 90. “You are the only person in front of whom I can be ME because you are the only person who loves me for what I am and not what I can BE. Good morning.” 91. “Happiness is just one part of our journey, as husband and wife. Unconditional love and undying commitment is what makes ours a perfect married life. Good morning.” 92. “We didn’t have just intertwined fates; we are entangled at the core like soul mates. We are not just husband and wife; we are also best friends for life. Good morning.” 93. “If I had the chance to live my life again, I wouldn’t want to change a single thing. Even rough times have left sweet memories because I’ve gone through them with you. Good morning.” 94. “I was never a morning person until I started waking up next to the love of my life, my husband. Good morning.” 95. “Your hugs are the key to a secret safe where I store all my happy memories. Good morning.” 96. “I can do without a morning cup of tea or coffee, but not without cuddling with my handsome hubby. Good morning.” 97. “Being with you makes mundane routines seem exciting. Good morning.” 98. “You are charming, handsome and hot, but those are not the only reason I love you a lot. You make me laugh and smile, which makes everything in life feel worthwhile. Good morning.” 99. “I promise to shield you from sorrow; I promise to give you a perfect tomorrow. I promise to love you always; I promise to help you through life’s maze. I promise to hold your hand forever; I promise to be your wife, friend, and lover. Good morning.” 100. “In the morning, some people like to indulge in their coffee, while others like their tea. I like to indulge in my hubby, who is the most handsome thing my eyes can see. Good morning.”

Good Morning Messages for Friends

101. “Excuse me, but were you a coffee bean in a previous life? You must have been because I can’t start my day without you.” 102. “My pillow hates you. It knows that I would trade it for your shoulder in a heartbeat.” 103. “Warning! The hottest man on the planet has just woken up!” 104. “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office. Good morning my dear. 🙂 ” 105. “Morning paradox – it takes forever to fall asleep and only a second to fall asleep in the morning.” 106. “There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast. Good morning love!” 107. “Do not forget to think positive this morning. There is always a chance that your boss will get carried off by a pack of hungry wolves. 🙂 ” 108. “My bed and I have a special relationship; we’re perfect for each other. But my alarm clock just hates seeing us together. 🙂 ” 109. “Just remember my dear, sometimes people want to have full conversations in the morning, and it is completely okay to kill those people. 😀 ” 110. “Why is it that when my alarm goes off at 6 am and I close my eyes for 5 minutes, it’s suddenly 7:30. And when it’s 1:30 pm at the office and I close my eyes for 5 minutes, it’s only 1:31?” 111. “Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of a day.” 112. “There are two ways of waking up in the morning. One is to say, ’Good morning, God,’ and the other is to say, ’Good God, morning’!” 113. “Red alert! The hunkiest man in the world has risen!” 114. “You must be really tired because you´ve been running through my mind all morning.” 115. “We need to work on you becoming a morning person. I love you and wish you good morning. 🙂 ” 116. “Do not drink your morning cup of coffee. It will give you unrealistic expectations of productivity. Good morning my dear.” 117. “It’s easier to stay awake till 6 AM than to wake up at 6 AM. Good morning sleepyhead!” 118. “Oh how I miss you my wonderful one; without you I’m bored, sad and glum; so wonderful are you, so great it’s true; there is no one I admire quite like you; now that I’ve praised you so fully; please do me a favor and come feed me.” 119. “I am up early especially for you; I knew today was important so out of bed I flew, to wish you good luck before my coffee, aw who am I kidding, I just had to pee.” 120. “There are only two kinds of people in this world: 1) morning people 2) people who want to shoot morning people.”

Good Morning Have a Nice Day

121. “A smile can open up a heart faster than any key can unlock a door. Wake up, and brighten the world with your handsome smile.” 122. “Every morning you have two choices, continue your sleep with dreams or wake up and chase your dreams. The choice is Yours. Good Morning.” 123. “Even the smallest of thoughts have the potential to become the biggest of successes… all you have to do is get up and get going. Good morning.” 124. “Life is perishable – the quicker you consume it, the better it feels. Stop thinking and start living. Good morning.” 125. “If yesterday was a good day, don’t stop. Maybe your winning streak has just begun. Good morning.” 126. “Great attitude is like a perfect cup of coffee – don’t start your day without it. Good morning.” 127. “Think about the dreams you had last night to make your lazy morning a beautiful one. Good morning.” 128. “Wake up and face life’s challenges head on. Else, life will become quite a challenge. Good morning.” 129. “Every morning comes with this promise – give the wings of effort to your dreams and your life will be full of bliss. Good morning.” 130. “If you don’t wake up right now with your full might, you will never be able to achieve that dream you saw last night. Good morning.” 131. “Success is not just a measure of how big you can DREAM; it is also a measure of how much you can DO. Good morning.” 132. “You can sleep a little longer and face failure… or you can wake up right away to chase success. The choice is entirely yours. Good morning.” 133. “Good Morning – this is not just a greeting. It signifies a hope that the beautiful morning will bring a smile on your face and happiness in your life.” 134. “Every morning is destiny’s way of telling you that your purpose in life is yet to be fulfilled. Good morning.Every morning is destiny’s way of telling you that your purpose in life is yet to be fulfilled. Good morning.” 135. “The biggest sources of motivation are your own thoughts, so think big and motivate yourself to win. Good morning.” 136. “Don’t wake up with the regret of what you couldn’t accomplish yesterday. Wake up while thinking about what you will be able to achieve today. Good morning.” 137. “Success comes to those who have the willpower to win over their snooze buttons. Wishing you an awesome morning.” 138. “Forget tomorrow, say goodbye to sorrow. Think about the future, let your life rapture. Good morning.” 139. “To become great, you need to do great things – one of which is waking up early in the morning. Good morning.” 140. “This morning will never ever come back in your life again. Get up and make the most of it. Good morning.”

[listiqueblog]

30 Inspirational Entrepreneurs Quotes to Motivate Them for Greatness

Running a successful ecommerce business requires a lot work, and some days you might feel like you won’t see the fruits of your labor.

That’s why we’ve gathered 30 inspiration quotes from BigCommerce merchants to help you push through rough patches and gray days to the brighter moment ahead.

We asked each merchant:

What is your favorite inspirational business quote?

And, what about it inspires you?

We hope you can draw inspiration from these quotes as you continue to build and grow your business.

The Only Start a Business Book You'll Need

Starting a business is exciting. Starting a business you can nearly prove will succeed – well, that’s even more exciting. 

This Start a Business Book is unlike any you’ve read. The part where you actually launch – well, that comes last. 

First, you’ll learn how to do market research and competitive analysis so you can determine what to sell, for how much and to whom. 

This is how you set up for success.

Download it now.

1. Walt Disney: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Submitted by April Williams, Owner of Peach Blossom:

You have to have the courage to follow your dreams because there will always be obstacles you have to face before you reach your dream.

2. 37 Signals: “Instead of freaking out about these constraints, embrace them. Let them guide you. Constraints drive innovation and force focus. Instead of trying to remove them, use them to your advantage.”

Submitted by Corryn Barakat, CEO of Milk and Love:

When you’re an ecommerce start up, there are so many constraints: time, money, energy. It can be easy to feel as though you can never achieve your dreams and desires.

This quote reminds me that our constraints inspire creativity.

It helps me to think outside the box and come up with new, innovative solutions to my problems.

3. Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Our chief want in life, is someone who shall make us do what we can. This is the service of a friend. With him, we are easily great.”

Submitted by Gene Constant, Owner of True to Size Apparel:

From the moment that I read this from Emerson, I felt a hunger for someone who I would have hoped to be there for me.

I could have been greater sooner if I only knew what I could do. Too many people lack vision.

An employee could be more than they know if someone would only provide doable yet difficult goals and show them how to attain them.

4. Robert H. Schuller: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”

Submitted by Leighshop:

Whatever the bad situation right now, it will just pass by, don’t just give up.

5. Oprah Winfrey: “Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.”

Submitted by Lisa Baumgartner, Founder & CEO of MyFunkins Ltd.:

I find this quote to be inspirational because it provides perspective: if you are significant in your arena, results will follow, whether it be sales, followers or whatever KPI you define to measure your personal success.

Trust your journey, invest in the end game.

6. Unknown: “Remember why you started.”

Submitted by Lynda Houston, Owner of Salvage & Bloom:

Building my business has been grueling, exciting, inspiring and exhausting.

Remembering this quote keeps me centered while I struggle.

7. Mandy Hale: “There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”

Submitted by Kiefer Micallef, Digital Marketer at Etiko:

A life without a passion has no solid foundation, always remember why you started.

8. Walt Disney: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Submitted by Antennagear, LLC:

It inspires me that “doing” takes a lot of hard work but its worth it in the end.

9. Bo Schembechler: “The Team! The Team! The Team!”

Submitted by Sassa Akervall, CEO & Owner of Akervall Technologies Inc.:

The success of a company is always about the team.

All pieces that come from the team are necessary to bring the company forward and to reach new heights.

10. Theodore Roosevelt: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with dust and sweat; who strives valiantly, who errs and may fall again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming.”

Submitted by Scott Anderson, Director of Marketing at Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.:

This quote inspires me to continue to move forward and that business as well as life will be filled with set backs, challenges, failures as well as successes.

That there will always be people who get in your way, are negative, and arm chair quarterback from the sidelines, however, they are just a footnote in the lives of the successful and embody the other famous quote “the world needs ditch diggers.”

11. Unknown: “You have to believe it before you see it.”

Submitted by Kimberly Michaels, Co-Creator of Montana’s Heart:

It’s all about faith & believing the evidence that is seen with your heart and not your eyes. 

12. Steve Martin: “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

Submitted by Maria Taverner, Founder of iGift Pty Ltd:

It implies that you should be the best you can so others cannot ignore what you are doing.

Focus on being the best you can and not what your competitors are doing. 

13. Unknown: “Never underestimate the power of a t-shirt.”

Submitted by Jeff McCormack, President of T-shirt.ca:

You might host a perfect event, but if mess up your t-shirts that’s all people will talk about.

14. Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Submitted by Jaclyn Miramontes, Creative Director at Gia Monae:

This quote inspires me because it keeps me grounded and reminds me to stay unique and not do what everyone else in my industry is doing.

What works for someone else may not work for me and this quote reminds me to stay true to me if I expect to see a difference in my business and in the impact i make.

15. Roy Ash: “An entrepreneur tends to bite off a little more than he can chew hoping he’ll quickly learn how to chew it.”

Submitted by Dennis Christo, Owner of Karambit.com:

This reminds me that even though i don’t always know what I am doing, I must be confident in my intelligence and abilities to figure it out.

Most people are too scared to even try, and that’s what separates entrepreneurs from everyone else.

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16. Mi Oon: “We all have things we must do that we don’t really care to do and things we must do that we don’t mind doing, then there’s the goofing off.”

Submitted by Towt Wwiff, Big Fish of Mischief at Beada Beada:

Keeps the ennui of mundane automation at bay and presents a pretty nifty goal.

17. Jon Acuff: “Dear entrepreneurs, you can start a thousand businesses, launch 100 projects, and take dozens of companies public, but you only have one shot at being part of your kid’s childhood. Your kid doesn’t care about your platform, they care about your presence.”

Submitted by Jackie Martin, Co-Founder of Option Gray:

I think a lot of business quotes focus on the end result or the success.

Instead, we should see the journey to the end as part of the process as well; and, if we like it or not, our family is along for the ride as well.

It’s important to have people speak these truths into your life so you don’t get lost along the way.

18.  John A. Shedd: “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

Submitted by Matt English, Digital Marketing Specialist at atlasRFIDstore:

This quote is a great reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things is the best way to learn.

You can research, plan, and educate yourself, but the only true way to improve is to put yourself or your business out there and learn from what you experience.

19. Unknown: “If you don’t have big dreams and goals, you’ll end up working for someone that does.”

Submitted by Naseem Dalal. Owner of Rhinoleather:

Everyone has an idea – its those who are focused and work hard that make those ideas come to life.

20. Thomas Edison: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” 

Submitted by Robert Ellis, CEO of Massage Tables Now:

This quote inspires me to persevere past setbacks.

Whenever I run into a difficult roadblock with my business, it reminds me how important it is to have a growth mindset as an entrepreneur.

A growth mindset means you don’t view mistakes as failures, but instead as learning opportunities.

Staring a business venture is an arduous process that is full of challenges. You will never get everything right the first time.

The key is to adapt and evolve over time.

Mistakes can expand your knowledge and help you become a more resilient person and business owner.

21. Jeff Bezos: “Because, you know, resilience – if you think of it in terms of the Gold Rush, then you’d be pretty depressed right now because the last nugget of gold would be gone. But the good thing is, with innovation, there isn’t a last nugget. Every new thing creates two new questions and two new opportunities.”

Submitted by Earl Choate, CEO of Concrete Camouflage:

I find this quote motivating.

Anytime I think I’ve run out of new ideas or feel stuck with my business, this quote reminds me that the potential for innovation is infinite.

There is always the opportunity to invent something completely new or build something that is better or cheaper than what already exists.

There is no limit on what entrepreneurship and ingenuity can create.

22. Drew Houston: “Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.”

Submitted by Ronna Moore, Owner of Fairy Homes and Gardens:

It inspires me because it’s simple but dynamic, and completely embodies the risk and the reward that’s inherent in business.

If you focus on failure, then you won’t be in the right mindset to learn from your mistakes and improve.

After all, at the end of the day, all you need is one good idea, one product that an underrepresented audience wants, one service that an industry needs, and you’re set.

Houston’s quote reminds me that I don’t have to be right all the time – once is enough.

23. Jack Ma: “In carrying out e-commerce, the most important thing is to keep doing what you are doing right now with passion, to keep it up.”

Submitted by Harrison Doan, Director of Analytics at Saatva:

I like his mention of passion, because that’s what drives us and makes us want to be better and do better.

We live in a culture where people sometimes strive towards goals without any meaning or passion, and we’ve all seen the result of that: uninspired work that isn’t created to serve.

When teams and companies are passionate, their work speaks for themselves.

24. Warren Buffett: “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Submitted by Stephanie Pope, Partner at Hope and Harmony Farms:

This quote by Warren Buffett is a powerful reminder of our reason for carrying on the century-old legacy of farming the finest Virginia peanuts available.

In business and in life, success is a long-game in which you must nurture and sustain your brand/product; it’s not a “one and done” journey.

I reflect on this quote as a way to re-focus on our ‘why’ and to remember to follow our credo: “Love the land. Respect Your Roots. Give Your Best.”

The seeds you sow today will grow to bring value to generations down the road.

25. Albert Einstein: “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”

Submitted by Tahnee Elliott, Founder & CEO of T.C. Elli’s:

I set out to launch my brand, T.C. Elli’s.

While providing an Omni-channel marketing experience (before it was a thing), offering high-quality products, and an excellent user experience were key pillars, serving with integrity was my North Star metric.

This quote by Albert Einstein resonates with how I strive to live my life both personally and professionally; value and integrity over the traditional markers of success.

Serving with integrity and leading with humility are core values I hold close in my business.

26. The Backroads Bosslady: “Don’t risk more than you can afford to lose!”

  Submitted by Jessi Roberts, Partner and Brand Manager at Cheekys:

It reminds me to continue to take risks and to try new things but also to be wise and prepare just in case things don’t go the way I expect.

27.  Abu Bakr: “Knowledge without action is meaningless”

Submitted by Sabina King, Co-founder of VeppoCig:

In this day and age of information overload, we can learn just about anything for free.

But what is the point if we do not DO anything with that knowledge?

Did you really mean to do loads of research on how to start a business…and never act upon it?

What was your original intention?

Certainly it wasn’t just to read about starting a business, so get out there, overcome the fear of failure and the fear of success…and get going!

28. Unknown: “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.”

Submitted by Angela Pronger:

The time will pass anyway. It’s just so true. Time passes and we can miss opportunities. 

29. Marian Wright Edelman: “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”

Submitted by Sebastian Mitchell Tarver, President of Boybeads:

This quote constantly reminds me that I am not working solely to gain wealth for myself, but to share wealth with others who are in need.

Being of service to others and to the planet makes me feel good about myself.

I know that I am adding value to the universe and not just selfishly taking things away.

When I first realized this, I started looking for small ways to make a positive difference in the world around me.

This completely changed my life for the better!

30. Unknown: “Life’s too short to learn from your own mistakes. So learn from others”

Submitted by Akosua Asare, CEO and Founder of Essence Luxe Couture:

Reminds me to quickly learn form my mistakes, and be attentive to the lessons from others mistakes.

It helps me to never repeat the same mistakes again.

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30 Inspirational Entrepreneurs Quotes to Motivate Them for Greatness published first on https://goshopmalaysia.tumblr.com

[ladypen19-blog]

Bless Everyday of your Life!!

Good Day my Beloves,

Today is a great day to start a new slate of clear intentions.  How do you set the day each morning?  Well, I greet the day with thanksgiving every morning before I open my eyes, while I am lying in bed, and my body let’s me know I am alive and all the cells are dancing and celebrating a new day.

I wake up like Yay, another day to get in alignment, have fun, celebrate and experience something new and exciting.  Yep, that’s how I start my mornings.  With gratitude and appreciation.  I set my vision and focus on how wonderful it is to be alive.  How awesome it is to connect with Source and the millions of miracles that will take place today in the Universe.  Love and Light is sent out to myself first then to everyone in the Universe.  I speak joy, happiness, peace, alignment and clarity with loads of abundance into my world daily upon waking.  I speak what I seek, until I have seen what I have said. Awesome quote I saw on instagram and I live by it.  

Continue to wake up with joy and excitement about the day, everyday!!!!  Say beautiful and terrific things about the day!!! Today is going to be incredible, today is so awesomely designed with me in mind.  Today I send out love to everyone on the planet.  Today is a day where dreams can and will come true for me.  Today is so terrifically made and I celebrate it in this very waking moment.

I set my lovely intentions daily.  We are renewed and reborn daily,  so I speak new life in the day and set forth a new beginning of love and gratitude for the coming hours of this day.

I give myself the best loving grand rising,  my new phrase for good morning.  I speak all the good and blessings I would to someone I truly love and appreciate because I do truly love and appreciate myself.  So I speak it over my day, week, month, year and life always in a loving manner.  Thank you GOD, Universe, Source for an amazing day of all that the love of life has to offer.  I welcome this lovely day with thanksgiving and bless it as I arise.  I am so proud of myself and I tell myself everyday.  What amazing things can you think of daily to say about yourself?  Do them every morning, praise, honor, bless, and I love to call myself lovely names.  I say queen, empress, beautiful, love,  darling, angel,  sexy, royalty, happy, lovely,  and the list goes on.  I love appreciating and speaking brand new and magnificent blessings into my day with beautiful names for myself attached!!!!

You want to give yourself the best of the best, then speak life and love into each day upon waking.  I also tell myself every night before I go to sleep,  I am going to have an amazing day tomorrow Universe.  So I bless my awakening and my evening rest.  I bless my whole entire day, life and eternity.  Blessings chase me down everywhere I go because I speak it into existence all the time.  I am sooo thankful for all the wisdom the Universe has given me to share and to live daily.  I ask that you try this gratitude daily and nightly for 21 days and see the miraculous changes that manifest in your wonderful life. 

Continue to work and focus on the present day.  Live in the NOW.  Each day will take care of itself.  Today’s blessings and gratitude brings about tomorrow’s awesomeness.  So live in the present moment of bliss and harmony.  Love your day, everyday and embrace your authentic self by showering yourself with compliments and praises for the entire day.  Bless your day is blessing your life!  

Daily Affirmation:

I awaken today, appreciating everything in sight and I give thanks!!!!!

Love and Light to you all!!!

Namaste