If ever there was a need for optimism, this is sure the time. Here’s some more words that boost my spirits and remind me of the infinite amount of things and actions that are possible, blocked only by any thoughts I have that limit the possibilities. I can change perspective, shift my outlook, reframe the “picture’s” deadline, ask for help. Today is a YES time.
My ELM brand of what I call Bumper Sticker Philosophy. Short stuff. Quick reads. Kind of like those bumper stickers on cars that you only see a flash of while driving and they get stuck in your mind. Some of these may too.
YES, WE CAN!
CHANGE
The ideal day never comes. Today is ideal for him/(her) who makes it so. – Horatio Dresser
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. – Will Rogers
If you always do, what you always did… You’ll always get, what you always got! – A friend
…throw off the bowlines. Sail away for the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain
I realize that if I wait until I am no longer afraid to act, write, speak, or be, I’ll be sending messages on a ouija board, cryptic complaints from the other side. – Audre Lorde
Just do it! – Nike
TAKE THAT FIRST STEP
Living in the past is a dull and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles, causes you to bump into people not going your way. – Edna Ferber
The first step in solving a problem is to recognize you might have a problem, then tell a trusted person about it. – ELM
A.D.A.C.- Awareness (that wonderful or painful “aha” moment), Decision (something’s gotta give/be different), Action (actually do something about “it”), (yields) Change – Ethel Lee-Miller
The difficult must become habit; The habit must become easy And the easy will become beautiful. – Prince Sergei Volkonski
Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. – Henry Ford. Corollary: Chunk it down. – ELM
Move a muscle, change a thought. – Heard often from friends
Fears are educated into us and can, if we wish, be educated out.- Karl Menninger. Corollary: F.E.A.R. False Events Appearing Real- AA
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure—try to please everybody. – Herbert Bayard Swope
Smiling behind my mask
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and the writing life. She’s retired from professional writing gigs after 30 years of teaching, coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. In retirement she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Zoom gatherings, and anywhere there’s a Zoom mic.
