Sometimes someone says something of profound importance in an utterly eloquent way leading to a soulful reaction. This quote from a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 is one example…

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye

Would Have Loved To Know This Guy

“You may not be her first, her last, or her only.  She loved before she may love again.  But if she loves you now, what else matters?  She’s not perfect – you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.  She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break–her heart.  So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give.  Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.”

~ Bob Marley