The essentials are to learn to shape God with forethought, care, and work; to educate and benefit their community, their families and themselves; and to contribute to the fulfillment of the Destiny.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of intentionality, education, and community contribution in shaping one's life and fulfilling purpose.
Octavia Butler’s quote speaks to the essential components of personal development and community service. It highlights the significance of thoughtful action and diligent work in shaping one's spiritual and bodily existence, while stressing the importance of educating not only oneself but also others in the community. This interconnectedness suggests that true fulfillment comes from contributing to the collective well-being and understanding that one’s destiny is tied to the growth and benefit of those around them.
In practice
In a speech about community service, one might say, 'As Octavia Butler said, we must learn to shape our contributions with care to fulfill our collective Destiny.'
What I'm working on now - I'm back to fantasy, although considering that it's me, I'm turning it into a kind of science fantasy. It's a vampire story - but my vampires are biological vampires. They didn't become vampires because someone bit them; they were born that way.
Slavery was a long slow process of dulling.
Here I was into astronomy, and here into anthropology, and there I go into geology. It was much more fun to be able to research and write about whatever I wanted to.
There is no end To what a living world Will demand of you.
You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.
Better to stay alive," I said. "At least while there's a chance to get free." I thought of the sleeping pills in my bag and wondered just how great a hypocrite I was. It was so easy to advise other people to live with their pain.
I don't pretend we have all the answers. But the questions are certainly worth thinking about.
We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
But if our sex would but well consider and rationally ponder, they will perceive and find that it is neither words nor place that can advance them, but worth and merit.
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.
The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants
Buddhist practices offer a way of saying, 'Hey, come back over here, reconnect.' The only way that you'll actually wake up and have some freedom is if you have the capacity and courage to stay with the vulnerability and the discomfort.
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