If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

In search.

When in time of crisis, I turn to my friends – and the quotes I had been collecting over the years, both in Russian and English (since 8th grade).

People are not born optimist or pessimist; it is the attitude they assume that forms their outlook. You are the one who makes this determination. You have been knocked down; now you must choose how to react. Will you stay down for the count of ten? Will you bounce up and go forward? Arthur Pine

The choice is between doing something and doing nothing. And doing nothing never gets you anywhere. Felix G. Rohatyn

Great dreams are often so far away from your reach that you can become discouraged. But each small goal you achieve gives you confidence to try next. John H. Johnson

The secret of success in life is for the man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. Benjamin Disraeli

I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door – or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come out no matter how dark the present. Joan Rivers

Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair. J. H. Leigh Hunt

What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better. Wendell Phillips

Greatness is not where we stand, but what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against he wind, but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor. Oliver Wendell Holmes

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. Diane Ackerman

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its joy. Anonymous

All the animals except man know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it. Samuel Butler

Do what you feel in your heart to be right for you for you will be criticized anyway. You will be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. Eleanor Roosevelt

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato

It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. Confucius

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference. Virginia Satir

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. William James

Getting what you go after is success; but liking it while you are getting there is happiness. Bertha Damon

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark

Sometimes on the way to your dream you get lost and discover a better one. Anonymous

Things really become “problems” when we label them as such, when we resist them. Resistance keeps you stuck in a small box of uncertainty and fear, which wastes so much precious time and energy. Let it go and it will flow. Anonymous

To him that is determined it remains only to act. Italian Proverb

I can go on forever. This is a glimpse. I am writing it to find strength I need right now. It is already working…

21 comments:

Sarah said...

Hang in there, Olga! And I mean it, don't hesitate to ask for ANYTHING. You're strong. Don't forget that. : )

P.S. Those are awesome quotes! I'll have to put a few in my pocket.

Scott said...

I think "Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference" sums it all up the best...

Backofpack said...

Remember, we always, always get to choose our reactions. Every single time. We can feel angry, but we get to choose whether to act in anger, we can feel stress, but we choose our response to stress...it's hard to remember in the moment, but it's true.

Hang in there, and keep breathing!

Journey to a Centum said...

We love you Olga! Keep building on your strength. Perhaps you are lost but will discover a better way. Positive energy to you ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kendall K said...

Olga, you are strong, you are beatiful and a beautiful person, you have many, many friends. The sun will come up again and life will go on. You can disregard the rest of this drivel, but remember the friends part. Kendall

RunSueRun said...

Thanks for all the wise words, Olga. You have LOTS of friends pulling for you!! :)

Hugs,
Sue

Lora said...

I've kept my own book of quotes for 12 years now. I always pull it back out during those hard times...and I constantly add to it.

Be kind to yourself. Do whatever it takes to soothe yourself.

TonyP said...

Hang in there...give me a call if you need anything.

---
"I used to go crazy for days ata time, now I'm taking my time with my days". - JB

JeffO said...

I'm on day 14 of doldrums. There are sharp twinges of pain in my feet and shins. I've logged over 750 miles this year and its taken a toll. Time to shift gears. Physically, it's depressing because I want to run like a maniac. But now I spend more time with friends. That's a blessing. I guess the cycles of so much running, and then so many friends, and more time with my son... That's what life is about; that's the flow. It's like the one quote, you can't resist the flow.
You have tons of friends. Time to take life in a different gear, Olga. If I can help, let me know. We often think that being helped is someone doing us a favor. But often, letting someone help you is you doing a favor to them. Everything works both ways.
Take joy in the simple things. The ultra-life is so fast-paced that we often miss the little joys.

Steve Ansell said...

Great quotes, Olga. Thanks for sharing. I think the strength you need is right there within you, just draw on it. Wishing you the best.

CoyoteGirl said...

Wonderful quotes Olga! You are so strong and vibrant. Be good to yourself.

Julie B said...

You've given me a few quotes to put into my notebook. Hang in there, we are hanging with you, Olga.

Backofpack said...

Olga, I just figured out what is going on. Hang in there! Check out the local community colleges for adult basic ed or ged completion. I think ged's are also available online. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. We're thinking of you!

Jacqueline Florine said...

I quote I have hanging over my desk,
"Be gentle with yourself."
by Max Erhmann
Love you lots,
Jacki

Carilyn said...

I'm sorry that things are rough right now. Please know that there are so many people supporting you, even from afar. The quotes are wonderful, and it shows how you provide others with strength even in your own struggles.

LK said...

Olga:
We're all here for you during your journey. The quote from Jacki about being gentle with yourself has done wonders for me during the past few months. Hugs!
-Larry

Anonymous said...

The funny thing about strength and momentum Olga. Is that we can work our butts off to acheive it, to find it, to master it. Only to be frustrated when it doesn't come. For me strength and momentum comes when I least expect it. From somebody whos had his shares of ups and downs over the last year or so this rings true. Yesterday I had one of the best races of my life. I feel though that this happened because I just let go and ran with no pressure. You will be strong again and again and again. Just let go and run. Your body will let you know when its ready. When it does hang on for the ride because it a great one. Take care from all your friends here in the Midwest.

Danni said...

Olga, I don't know what happened but you are one of the coolest people I barel know -- I'm rooting for you!!!

Meghan said...

Hey Olga,

Call, email, whatever, if you need help or to just vent or whatever.

Thinking of you,
Meghan

Anonymous said...

great quotes.

((hugs)) hope you are ok

missed you at zg this year :)

kelly said...

Hang in there, my friend. I love the quotes, I may have to use a few for my blog. I will see you at Miwok. It will be a fun day. I can't wait to see you. Take good care.