Nugget from a Book I'm Currently Reading

Say to them, O father, O mother, O wife, O brother, O friend, I have lived with you after appearances hitherto. Henceforward I am the truth's. Be it known unto you that henceforward I obey no law less than the eternal law. I will have no covenants but proximities. I shall endeavour to nourish my parents, to support my family, to be the chaste husband of one wife, — but these relations I must fill after a new and unprecedented way. I appeal from your customs. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier. If you cannot, I will still seek to deserve that you should. I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever inly rejoices me, and the heart appoints. If you are noble, I will love you; if you are not, I will not hurt you and myself by hypocritical attentions. If you are true, but not in the same truth with me, cleave to your companions; I will seek my own. I do this not selfishly, but humbly and truly. It is alike your interest, and mine, and all men's, however long we have dwelt in lies, to live in truth.

From Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw

A few months ago this book was recommended to me. (Thanks, Brenda.) I found a copy at a used book store, and I've spent the past couple of days reading it.

Ever since I started reading Stephen R. Covey's "7 Habits" last year, I've become more and more aware of how many people have written about the same thing: Figure out what your life is about, and live it.

In particular, I was impressed with McGraw's common-sense approach to relationships on pages 140-142.

The book was written primarily for a female audience, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in what makes other people tick. (And...who shouldn't be?)

Another Nugget from "The 8th Habit"

(Thank you, Laura, for the book The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey.)

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me, and I will be able to do them quickly, correctly. I am easily managed—you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great people; and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human being. You may run me for a profit or turn me for ruin—it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I? I am habit!

—Anonymous

Inner Fire

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. -- Albert Schweitzer (from "The 8th Habit" by Stephen R. Covey)