I have always been a word person. My mother used to say she thought I was born with a dictionary in my hands. (Now that is an odd visual.)
And I have always appreciated quotes, savoring the discovery of someone else’s way with words that makes me pause and think or even laugh out loud, thanks to their fresh perspective.
This blog? It was my second attempt at blogging — after my first blog never got off the ground. So, I shut that blog down, despite conventional wisdom back then being that writers needed to be blogging. Then, weeks later during a night of insomnia, I realized that I loved quotes enough to blog about them just because I had so much fun with them! And then I realized other people enjoy quotes, too. Next, the title “In Others’ Words” came to me. I determined to keep my posts shorts (300 words or less) and to invite conversation with my readers (the In Your Words questions). When I ran the idea past my agent, she said, “You should have insomnia more often.” And then we shared a laughed.
And quotes? Yes, they are “souls alive in ink” because they reflect other people’s hearts, their passions, their personalities. Quotes express things I feel but sometimes can’t find the right words … the best words. I find this amazing quote that says what I wanted to say. Sometimes a quote makes me stop where I am and go, “Huh!” because I hadn’t thought of that truth. Or I’d forgotten an important life principle and I needed to remember it. And yes, sometimes the quotes I read just make me laugh and appreciate being alive.
In Your Words: Just sharing what’s called “backstory” with you today. I’d love to know if you have a favorite quote or two. We’ve done this before and then I’ve had the chance to highlight them in future blogs.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”7czb8″ via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: The Power of Quotes https://wp.me/p63waO-2sU #quotes #perspective[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”aIoqE” via=”yes” ]”Most collectors collect tangibles. As a quotation collector, I collect wisdom, life, invisible beauty, souls alive in ink.” https://wp.me/p63waO-2sU #quotes @quotegarden #collectors[/ctt]
Comments 14
You know that I so associate you with good words and phrases, that when I come across some, I already send them to you, so will be forwarding more as I discover them. That’s one of many things I appreciate about you, and the vulnerable insights you add as well. God bless you and this blog all through this year and beyond.
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Dee: I always appreciate the quotes that you send me; they are yet another aspect that I treasure about our friendship. And I also value your active voice in this ongoing conversation.
It was interesting to hear how your blog came about. I have favorite quotes and those favorites change periodically. Sometimes I will write a quote (or Bible verse) from a book on an index card for future reference or to display where I can see it regularly. My current favorite quotes are:
“Never judge someone based on someone else’s opinion.” – Unknown
“If you were to always act in your greatest self-interest, you would always obey God.” – Mark Batterson
“Pray for a kind heart that reflects His presence.” – Holley Gerth
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Ellie: As I worked on the blog last night, I realized most people didn’t know the story behind the blog, which is why I shared it. And thank you for sharing your favorite quotes. Thank you, too, for sharing the source. I always like knowing that.
One of my favorite quotes is: Success is that place in the road where preparation meets opportunity, but too few people recognize it because it comes disguised as hard work.
Loved hearing your backstory. I can see you with a dictionary in your hands. 🙂
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Pat: I find that one of my favorite quote topics is success. Along with quotes dealing with perspective and dreams and writing, of course. Thanks for sharing. And Thomas Edison is credited with saying “Success is that place in the road where preparation meets opportunity …” Interesting, huh? 🙂
Thanks for sharing the backstory.
Favourites:
“Hirihokenten”, which translates as “Considering debt is important; considering death is unimportant”. This can also be translated as “God’s will”, and underlines the importance of taking care of what one can whilst leaving all else in God’s hands.
“Ake ake kia kaha”, Maori for “Forever, and be strong” (often translated, wrongly, as “Forever strong”; there’s a subtle and vital difference).
“It’s suicide but it’s fun.” – unofficial motto of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, Royal Air Force.
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Oh, Andrew … I knew you’d supply some good quotes. You did not disappoint. 🙂
My most favorite quote is from an apostle of my church. His talks are always amazing and definitely divinely inspired.
“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
-Jeffrey R. Holland
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Karen: That is a beautifully life-giving quote. Thank you for sharing.
Just found a couple more quotes, quite by accident (nearly wrote ‘quote by accident’):
“We do not want to be remembered as heroes, we ask only to be remembered for what we did … that’s all.”
“If you believe in yourself and believe in what you are doing then you are twice as strong as if you don’t. That is what I believe and I certainly believed in my right to defend my land.”
— both from W/C Robert “Bob” Doe British 234 & 238 Squadrons Fighter Command
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Andrew: I like both of those quotes. Thank you for sharing them.
I love, love, love quotes and collect them too. I like the title quotation anthologist. I could add that to my resume since I am one. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your blogging story, Beth.
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Yes, Kim — another thing we have in common: we both love quotes. And I guess since we collect them, we are quote anthologists. 🙂