Endo Blog: How Much Can Quotes & Artwork Heal, Comfort, And Enlighten Us??

Sometimes when we're chronically ill, we tend to focus on our physical and emotional pain. While this is certainly an understandable part of being chronically ill, sometimes it's nice to distract ourselves from the pain by focusing our energy on uplifting materials!! Today I thought I'd write a post that IS NOT focused on endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, or any other chronic illness. Instead, I thought I'd post some quotes and artwork to shift the focus off of our illnesses for a bit!

If you're anything like me, you love quotes! I find them insightful, uplifting and thought-provoking. Of course, not all quotes are uplifting in nature. Some clarify bitter truths, cause the reader to examine history, and act to educate us in how we can all be better people by helping others.

I've decided to list quotes from a wide variety of sources... in random order. Hopefully something in this list will inspire you, comfort you or support you. Also, I've included some mandala art. Hopefully you'll find this uplifting!

All mandala art contained in this post is courtesy of Jennifer at http://www.mandalaspiritart.com/

"Beauty" Mandala

Here are some quotes that resonate with me in some way:

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“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.”
-- Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948)

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
-- Albert Einstein (1875-1955), theoretical physicist, philosopher

“Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
-- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), American civil rights leader

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
-- Buddha

"Insight" Mandala

“Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.”
-- Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC), Greek tragedian

“When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.”
-- Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), U.S. First Lady, diplomat, human rights activist

“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.”
-- Buddha

“If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-- Maya Angelou (b. 1928), poet

"Joy" Mandala

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the courage to surpass others at whatever cost, but the courage to serve others at whatever the cost.”
-- Arthur Ashe (1943-1993), professional tennis player, civil rights supporter

“There was never a good war or a bad peace.”
-- Benjamin Franklin

“If mankind recognizes that war is impossible...that all national rivalries are foolish...if they get together any kind of an extension of detente... then we may pull out of it all the better for it.”
-- Tori Amos (musician, singer, songwriter, pianist)

"Happy Days" Mandala

“The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons.”
-- Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), philosopher

“I simply can't build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery and death ... I think peace and tranquillity will return again.”
-- Anne Frank (German Jewish girl and author of a diary of her family's two years in hiding during World War II, 1929-1945)

“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.”
-- Chief Joseph (Native American Quote)

"Native American" Mandala

“You know that saying, bad things don’t happen to good people? That’s a lie.”
-- Tori Amos (musician, singer, songwriter, pianist)

"Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger ... Show respect to all people and bow to no one ..."
-- Tecumseh, Shawnee (Native American Quote)

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
-- Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), actress, humanitarian

"Heal The Earth" Mandala

When a white army battles Indians and wins, it
is called a great victory, but if they lose it
is called a massacre.
-- Chiksika, Shawnee (Native American Quote)

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy (American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963)

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Peace to each one of you!!

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.