I've added a new book to my reading list. These quoted passages went straight to my heart.
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Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Saturday, November 8, 2014
a hidden wholeness
I've added a new book to my reading list. These quoted passages went straight to my heart.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
mere christianity
Sam bought Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. He bought 3 books at once so I was given permission to read it while he reads the others:)
I'm a very slow reader and very distractible. My thoughts distract me and so it takes me forever to finish anything. I finished the Preface :) and was so impressed that I want to record the parts that are particularly moving...
"...It is not for us to say who, in the deepest sense, is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men's hearts. We cannot judge, and are indeed forbidden to judge. It would be wicked arrogance for us to say that any man is, or is not, a Christian in this refined sense..."
"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions -- as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that king of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'
When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house."
I'm a very slow reader and very distractible. My thoughts distract me and so it takes me forever to finish anything. I finished the Preface :) and was so impressed that I want to record the parts that are particularly moving...
"...It is not for us to say who, in the deepest sense, is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men's hearts. We cannot judge, and are indeed forbidden to judge. It would be wicked arrogance for us to say that any man is, or is not, a Christian in this refined sense..."
"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions -- as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that king of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'
When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house."
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Quiet...
I just started reading the book, "Quiet", by Susan Cain. It's wonderful.
Ben read it about a year ago after I stumbled across a 'pinned' quote by Susan Cain. After some googling, we ended up watching a TED talk on introverts, presented by Cain. Everyone should watch it! We were hooked and amazed by her insight and really life-changing ideas about introverts.
I am dying to write more of my thoughts (and I have a ton of them!) but I'm going to share my absolute favorite part so far -- "The Myth of Charismatic Leadership". . .
"Indeed, according to a famous study by the influential management theorist Jim Collins, many of the best-performing companies of the late twentieth century were run by what he calls "Level 5 Leaders." These exceptional CEOs were known not for their flash or charisma but for extreme humility coupled with intense professional will. . . "
. . . extreme humility
. . . intense professional will
Ben read it about a year ago after I stumbled across a 'pinned' quote by Susan Cain. After some googling, we ended up watching a TED talk on introverts, presented by Cain. Everyone should watch it! We were hooked and amazed by her insight and really life-changing ideas about introverts.
I am dying to write more of my thoughts (and I have a ton of them!) but I'm going to share my absolute favorite part so far -- "The Myth of Charismatic Leadership". . .
"Indeed, according to a famous study by the influential management theorist Jim Collins, many of the best-performing companies of the late twentieth century were run by what he calls "Level 5 Leaders." These exceptional CEOs were known not for their flash or charisma but for extreme humility coupled with intense professional will. . . "
. . . extreme humility
. . . intense professional will
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
danielle laporte
I've got Danielle LaPorte on my mind. I blogged about one of her recent posts a week or so ago and have been thinking about her since. I did a little more researching and reading and am wondering how I've missed her along the way! Amazing. Ben and I pre-ordered her book yesterday on Amazon ("The Fire Starter Sessions"). Wow!
Her bio found on her website goes like this...
Her bio found on her website goes like this...
A list of “Top 10 Blogs by Women That Might Change Your Life,” describes Danielle LaPorte like this:
“She’s confidently contrarian, feminine, decisive, and creative. She combines spirituality with sound business principles. She has an e-program, a line of chic, minimalist notecards, and gives coaching sessions at $1000 a pop. She’s been listed, ranked and quoted. At the core of her success is her ability to write. She writes beautifully, lustfully, and poignantly and is quite possibly the most talented and insightful writer publishing on the web. If you haven’t experienced www.daniellelaporte.com, you are missing the best of the web.”
and that is what struck me. Her writing is so compelling. I keep reading and reading and can't quite get enough.
Another post from her blog was particularly consuming, the grand pep talk. It's inspiring and definitely a reread.
I was copying a bunch of excerpts from the post and then decided to just paste the whole thing in my blog...
the grand pep talk: decide to rise (refer to this when in doubt, or sick & tired.)
I’m all for mental health days. And gentleness. And I think the world should take the month of December off. And for the love of God, a 4 day work week would revolutionize the collective human spirit and thusly, healthcare. But this pep talk isn’t about taking it easy, this is about another form of self care: doing whatever it takes.
Just got dumped? Lace up your runners and move your body.
Under the weather? Go in to work any way, wearing your favorite sweater.
Up to your earrings in deadlines? Go cheer on your friend. Show up at the bake sale. Call your mother.
Crying before show time? Put some tea bags on your eyes. Say a prayer. Enter stage left.
Push. Turn up the volume. Go hard. Go harder.
Re-prioritize your aches and pains.
Infuse your sensitivities with courage.
Tell fear to f@#$ right the f@#% off.
Devote to Done.
There are soul-justified reasons to cancel. There are times to just stop. This isn’t one of them. Keep going. Show up. Full on. Full tilt. Full out. Decide to be one of those people who pull it off.
Do what you say you’re going to do. Don’t let us down.
Decide to rise.
Why decide to rise? Not for the reasons you might think. In fact, these are the reasons that will make you sick and tired:
Do not rise out of obligation. Do not rise because of feared consequences. Do not rise because you think being tough makes you smarter (it doesn’t.)
Decide to rise because you want to expand — your being, your life, your possibilities.
Decide to rise because super powers are meant to be activated and applied in everyday life.
Decide to rise to explore your place in the universe.
On the other side of deciding to rise is illumination, ecstasy, insight. And the angel of your strength is there waiting, smiling, applauding, with a goblet of endorphins for you. Drink up.
When you transcend circumstances you get special privileges. You get evidence that you are indeed amazing, and irrefutable proof that what your heart and mind choose is what matters. And you get the deep knowing that life wants you to win.
Decide to rise.
Lean in. Listen up. Closely.
It’s your soul speaking and she says, Get UP! I need you. I want you. I am you. Choose me.
Lean in. Listen up. Closely.
Decide to rise.
It speaks to my heart and my head at the same time. I love it.
Under the weather? Go in to work any way, wearing your favorite sweater.
Up to your earrings in deadlines? Go cheer on your friend. Show up at the bake sale. Call your mother.
Crying before show time? Put some tea bags on your eyes. Say a prayer. Enter stage left.
Push. Turn up the volume. Go hard. Go harder.
Re-prioritize your aches and pains.
Infuse your sensitivities with courage.
Tell fear to f@#$ right the f@#% off.
Devote to Done.
Decide to rise.
It’s your soul speaking and she says, Get UP! I need you. I want you. I am you. Choose me.
Lean in. Listen up. Closely.
It speaks to my heart and my head at the same time. I love it.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
atlas hangs on
I found an adorable reading of a favorite story of mine, "Atlas Hangs on".
The storybook is found on this website. I read it with my 5th graders.
read the story... read it outloud... and then read it again. :)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
money
I read an interesting post about money on a blog by Danielle LaPorte ...
20 personal money practices that got me to a place of grooving prosperity. (part 1)
helpful... simple...
Am I the only one who doesn't know who Danielle LaPorte is? These reviews about her book, "The Fire Starter Sessions", are interesting to read...
Saturday, March 31, 2012
another weekend
It's Saturday morning. Another busy week is over. Work was full...MCA math retakes (poor kids--poor me), speech-language presentation (when will I ever get used to public speaking??), IEP meetings, and my regular speech therapy schedule. Today we are heading over to Grand Forks for the last basketball tourney. Game today at 4 and then all day tomorrow. Great group of 8th graders but I'm glad to be done.
But before the busy weekend got started, I settled in with my first cup of coffee and my Kindle Fire. I downloaded my first book--The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. And it was free! But that's not the best part...I did it all by myself and it is one of my favorite stories ever (this and The Lord of the Rings)! I CAN NOT wait to start reading it. I've posted briefly about the dvd collection and will post about it in the future in GREAT detail!:)
Guess what I will be doing this weekend between games... and whenever I can get away with it!
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