Quotes you disagree with
May 23rd, 2007 by Sandra
Maybe it’s just me, but I find some of the daily quotes in my Franklin-Covey planner to be the exact opposite of what I believe makes sense for me spiritually. Here’s a case in point:
See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.
–Robert Collier
Now, I realize that Robert Collier (whoever that is) probably means that one should have “vision” or that one should think about how to effect change in one’s life. But that’s not what the quote actually says. (Who says being a technical writer isn’t useful?) The quote actually says, “Live in a fantasy world.” Or, if that’s too extreme a thought for you, says, “Have expectations of the world that differ from what the world is likely to give you.”
My excruciating personal experience tells me that this is a really, really bad idea. If I act on what I wish the world is rather than on what the world actually is, I can end up in a bad place intellectually, emotionally, physically.
Here’s another one:
Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.
–Edwin Percy Whipple
If you have any idea what this means, please let me know. I’m stumped. The cheerful people I know either:
- Live in something of a fantasy world except for the occasional crash and burn.
- Are at deep peace with themselves.
- Are on meds.
Am I being cynical? I dunno. I can see where the deep peace folks, who put some effort into living wholly, probably do have structure and discipline in their lives. But “strenuous”?
On the other hand, I do appreciate quotes like:
The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you.
– R.J. Rehwinkels
I have no idea who R.J. is, but my hat’s off to him/her. In a very simple statement, R.J. has addressed issues of emotional health, self-destructive behavior, and gratitude. I like it.
Have you run across any quotes that people like to tout but strike you the wrong way or as being unproductive or misleading?
So many of the quotes that pepper our lives leave me thinking “What? That made no sense.” I hope that Edwin Percy Whipples’ cheerfulness quote was pulled from a body of work that would explain the one sentence - because standing on its on - huh? And I wonder how he gained such insight “… most cheerful people …” Did he do a survey?
On the other hand, I appreciate the simplicity of R.J. Rehwinkels - it packs a punch in just a few short words.
My current favorite quote is “Powerful dreams need more than just a little weekend gardening.” Author unknown.
I don’t know, but it seems to me that if it requires “strenuous discipline” to be cheerful, how cheerful can you really be to have to work that hard to achieve it? I do like the third quote though.
Food for thought. I agree with you on the first one. I think we need to see things as they really are. We might dream of something better . . . but if we see reality, then we’re moved to change it and strive for something more.
However, as a Buddhist, I agree with the cheerful one. Buddhists “practice” their discipline . . . and it includes maintaining a cheerful and peaceful mind. Given all the negatives in the world, it takes a form of discipline to remain in the moment, free of worry about tomorrow, not allowing yourself to be negative, striving to wish peace and happiness to all–even your enemies. It’s a mind-set–at least in my own experience. :-)
Peace!
E
Erica, I thought of you, actually, as I was writing “at deep peace with themselves.” Buddhists and those who practice mindfulness do seem to be more present, more in the moment, than others.
I guess I don’t see cheerfulness as necessarily an end result. Maybe more of an inevitability. When I meditate, I come closer and closer to the deep understanding that I create my own problems. When I accept things as they are, without my ego leaping in to “fix things” or “be an authority” or pass judgment, I fall, almost by default, into cheerfulness.
And is sitting zazen strenuous? My dSO “just does it,” and I find my little 20-minute daily meditation times to be things I look forward to. If there’s strain in there, I haven’t found it yet… Am I not meditating enough? ;)