I never want to lose the story-loving child within me, or the adolescent, or the young woman, or the middle-aged one, because all together they help me to be fully alive on this journey, and show me that I must be willing to go where it takes me, even through the valley of the shadow.
Interpretation
Embracing all stages of one's life enriches the journey of living.
This quote by Madeleine L'Engle speaks to the importance of maintaining the essence of every phase of life, from childhood through adulthood. By cherishing and embracing the different parts of ourselves, we can fully experience life's journey, even when faced with challenges and difficulties. The willingness to explore and traverse through dark times reflects a profound understanding that all experiences, including the tough ones, contribute to a richer and more vibrant existence.
In practice
During a keynote speech on personal development, I would cite this quote to illustrate the importance of evolving through life stages.
Truth is what is true, and it's not necessarily factual. Truth and fact are not the same thing. Truth does not contradict or deny facts, but it goes through and beyond facts. This is something that it is very difficult for some people to understand. Truth can be dangerous.
George MacDonald gives me renewed strength during times of trouble--times when I have seen people tempted to deny God--when he says, "The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like his.
If you don't recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are.
The minute we begin to think we have all the answers, we forget the questions.
When we believe in the impossible, it becomes possible, and we can do all kinds of extraordinary things.
Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my life has meaning. Perhaps I should feel insignificant, but instead I feel a soaring in my heart that the God who could create all this — and out of nothing — can still count the hairs of my head.
Whimsy doesn't care if you are the driver or the passenger; all that matters is that you are on your way.
I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.
The only certain things in life are death and taxes!
We’re all alive, but we don’t know why or what for; we’re all searching for happiness; we’re all leading lives which are different and yet the same.
but then she did. she died. no more visits, no more phone calls. And without even realizing it, I began to drift, as if my roots had been pulled, as if I were floating down some side branch of a river.
Regardless of your age, you will always have adventures, unexpected joys and unexpected sorrows.
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