Experiences aren't given to us to be 'got over,' otherwise they would hardly be experiences.
Interpretation
Life experiences are valuable lessons meant to be learned from, not merely endured.
This quote by Penelope Fitzgerald emphasizes that experiences, especially challenging ones, are integral to our personal growth and understanding. Rather than viewing these moments as obstacles to be overcome quickly, we should embrace them as opportunities for deeper insight and wisdom that shape who we are.
In practice
In a motivational speech about resilience, one could say, 'As Penelope Fitzgerald put it, experiences aren't given to us to be 'got over,' but to be learned from.'
More than that, I believe that the grass is green because green is restful to the human eye, that the sky is blue to give us an idea of the infinite. And that blood is red so that murder will be more easily detected and criminals will be brought to justice. Yes, and I believe that I shall live forever, but I shall live without reason.
I have remained true to my deepest convictions. I mean the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy—for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?
However, no two people see the external world in exactly the same way. To every separate person a thing is what he thinks it is - in other words, not a thing, but a think.
Twice and thrice over, as they say, good is it to repeat and review what is good.
Most people...are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others are like stars which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.
When one speaks of awakening, it means de-hypnotizatio n; coming to your senses. But of course to do that, you have to go out of your mind.
I don't deal with writer's block, I don't allow myself to believe that there is such a thing. I think that there are good days and a lot more less good days.
You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.
And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.
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