There's a part of every living thing that wants to become itself: the tadpole into the frog, the chrysalis into the butterfly, a damaged human being into a whole one.That is spirituality.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the intrinsic desire for growth and transformation present in all living beings.
Ellen Bass highlights the fundamental drive within every living creature to evolve into its true self, drawing parallels between the natural transformations seen in tadpoles becoming frogs and caterpillars becoming butterflies. This journey towards wholeness is described as a spiritual quest, suggesting that spirituality is rooted in the innate need for personal and transformative growth.
In practice
In a speech about personal development, you could say, 'As Ellen Bass reminds us, every living thing has a part that wishes to become itself.'
So often survivors have had their experiences denied, trivialized, or distorted. Writing is an important avenue for healing because it gives you the opportunity to define your own reality. You can say: This did happen to me. It was that bad. It was the fault & responsibility of the adult. I was—and am—innocent.” The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis
This [a state militia system] appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.
The chief cause of human errors is to be found in the prejudices picked up in childhood.
If we seek something, that same thing is seeking us.
For sorrow there is no remedy provided by nature; it is often occasioned by accidents irreparable, and dwells upon objects that have lost or changed their existence; it requires what it cannot hope, that the laws of the universe should be repealed; that the dead should return, or the past should be recalled.
Everything is already perfect. And if you can accept that everything is already perfect, the imperfection is a part of the perfection. What's to worry about?
I find myself born into this particular position. I'm determined to make the most of it. And to do whatever I can to help. And I hope I leave things behind a little bit better than I found them.
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