I’m a “quote-aholic” – I find that when I’m at a loss for words, I can often find a quote that perfectly fits my attitude or expresses my feelings du jour. Or I frequently just look for quotes on random subjects that pop into my head. When I’m reading a particularly stimulating book, a novel or a non-fiction, I will pause on a page, pick up a pen and write down phrases that make me think or hit me hard. I’m captivated by how words can express almost anything we want them to and how critical it is to choose them wisely.
So here’s a quote I’ve had written down for a couple of decades – it’s almost an antique, the paper is wrinkled, it’s been folded several times, it’s been shoved in purses and computer bags as I needed it for reference. And basically I have most of the quotes on this one page committed to some form of memory – whether accurate or paraphrased.
“Doesn’t my soul look just like a market place where the second-hand dealers from all corners of the globe have assembled to sell the shabby riches of the world? Isn’t it just like a noisy bazaar where I and the rest of mankind display our cheap trinkets to the restless, milling crowds?”
Author not given…
And quite honestly, this quote references how as followers of Jesus, we allow the world’s shabby riches to claim more and more of our time, energy and resources so that we have only the leftovers to give to God. But as I’ve continued to reference this quote over the years, it has taken on all sorts of expanded meaning for me in life, in general.
I believe excellence is something that we should strive for in all things – every nook and cranny of our lives, everything we say, everything we do, every relationship we invest in – we should strive for excellence. And this quote slaps me silly with some of its word smithing: “second-hand dealers, shabby riches, cheap trinkets, restless, milling crowds.” Doesn’t it paint a vision of lostness, idleness, laziness, selfishness and many more words that end in -ness?
So time to examine the soul within and see how much of our lives reflects this “second-hand, shabby, cheap” version of life. How deep of a dive am I taking each day into this market place around me that robs me of spending my time in productive pursuits – spending time with family and friends, serving others less fortunate, attending to the needs of someone who is hurting, improving my life game plan.
As an antidote and not one to dwell on the negative (although happy to face it head on), i searched for quotes on “graceful aging.” Let me leave us today on this post with some inspiring words that should generate lots of happy thoughts and a desire to live well, for ourselves and for others.
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” Sophia Loren
Don't Waste Your Retirement 