It seems like suffering's the only time we can see what's essential. If peace ever comes back I'm making a vow: I'll design myself special glasses. They'll block out whether people are fat or thin or beautiful or weird-looking, whether they have pimples or birthmarks or different coloured skin. They'll do everything suffering's done for us, but without the pain. I'm going to wear those glasses for the rest of my life.
Interpretation
Suffering can reveal the true essence of life beyond superficial judgments based on appearance.
In this quote, John Marsden reflects on how suffering has a unique ability to strip away the trivial and superficial aspects of life, allowing us to see what is truly important. He expresses a desire to carry this perspective forward, symbolized by the idea of wearing 'special glasses' that help focus on essential qualities rather than outward appearances, emphasizing a vision of acceptance and understanding devoid of pain.
In practice
During a motivational speech about resilience, one might use this quote to illustrate how challenges can enhance our perspective.
So I found myself telling my own stories. It was strange: as I did it I realised how much we get shaped by our stories. It's like the stories of our lives make us the people we are. If someone had no stories, they wouldn't be human, wouldn't exist. And if my stories had been different I wouldn't be the person I am.
There are some things that once you've lost, you never get back. Innocence is one. Love is another. I guess childhood is a third.
A genius is simply one who has taken full possession of his own mind and directed it toward objectives of his own choosing, without permitting outside influences to discourage or mislead him.
The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious you might never come home.
When you begin to meditate on a regular basis, you will start to notice that thoughts and feelings that may have been building up inside of you are gently released and you reach the quiet place that was always there, waiting for you- the place of pure awareness. It is there that you will experience peace, healing, and true rejuvenation.
The first proof of a well-ordered mind is to be able to pause and linger within itself.
My experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren't so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more.
How little we know of what there is to know. I wish that I were going to live a long time instead of going to die today because I have learned much about life in these four days; more, I think than in all other time. I'd like to be an old man to really know. I wonder if you keep on learning or if there is only a certain amount each man can understand. I thought I knew so many things that I know nothing of. I wish there was more time.
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