Into the looking glass
Two classic quotes — a reminder about the importance of following our own bliss (in the words of Joseph Campbell) and promoting an enabling authentic joy rather than a disabling despair, even in (especially in) dark political times.
The world is a looking glass, and gives back to every man the reflections of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly, kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice
— William Makepeace Thackeray
***
An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life.
He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me…It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.
One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority.
The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too.”
They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied…”The one I feed.”
And one more, a favourite of mine from John Milton’s Paradise Lost:
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n
Milton, of course, was updated by one Ronald James Dio in 1978, who told us that the world is full of Kings and Queens, who blind your eyes and steal your dreams…. :)
Hi Ann,
As an admirer of your site, I’ve bestowed upon you the Thinking Blogger Award… Drop by my site to see what significance this may be. You can decide that for yourself, but it is a sincere appreciation!
Regards
:lol: Thanks Jolly Roger, indeed.
Thanks very much, Fencer, mighty kind of you. As a regular reader of your posts by way of WP’s Blog Surfer, I appreciate being nominated by such a thoughtful blogger as yourself. I have taken up the challenge to nominate five blogs.