Inspiring Words...

"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another."

- Helen Keller

Inspiring Words...

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspiring Words...

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly."

- Lauren Bacall

Inspiring Words...

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

- John Quincy Adams

Inspiring Words...

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things."

- Maya Angelou

Inspiring Words...

"Do the things You believe in,
In the name of love,
And know that,
You aren't alone,
We all have fears and doubts."

- Carole King

Inspiring Words...

"Last night I lay in bed with my children as they were falling asleep, and I stopped making lists in my head.  I stopped fretting about money and work.  I stopped wishing the kids would fall asleep already so I could be somewhere else, doing something else.  Instead I noticed the dark crescents of their eyelashes.  I watched as the moonlight turned their cheeks to white apricots.  And I felt my heart swell with joy and gratitude.  It was utterly ordinary.  And utterly extraordinary.  It was an everyday blessing."

- Catherine Newman from her article titled "Dalai Mama"

Inspiring Words...

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.  Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

- Ella Fitzgerald

Inspiring Words...

"There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and The Great Pumpkin."

- Linus on It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

[OK, not really inspiring, but a fun quote in celebration of Autumn and Halloween.  Trick or treat.  Sincerely,  Abi]

Inspiring Words...

"If you obey all the rules, you will miss all the fun."

- Katharine Hepburn

Inspring Words...

"To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?"

- Katharine Graham

Inspiring Words...

"The dedicated life is worth living.  You must give with your whole heart."

- Annie Dillard

Inspiring Words...

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it."

- Julia Child

Inspiring Words...

"Listen to your life.  See it for the fathomless mystery it is.   In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace."

-Frederick Buechner from his book Now and Then

Inspiring Words...

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

- Elizabeth Lawrence

Inspiring Words...

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery."

- Mark Van Doren

Dear Reader,

I'm thinking today of the many students and teachers who begin a new year of exploration and discovery.  And I am thankful to all of the teachers (in the classroom and otherwise) that encouraged, challenged, and inspired me. September has arrived.

Sincerely,
Abi

Inspiring Words...

"The most important, and perhaps most obvious, factor in nurturing your children's creative lives is to model a creative life yourself."

- Amanda Blake Soule in her book The Creative Family

Inspiring Words...

"Get up.  Create like you're training for a marathon, methodically, day by day...You are an artist, a guide, a prophet.  You are a storyteller, a visionary, the Pied Piper himself.  Do the work, learn the skills, and make art, because of what the act of creation will create in you."

- Shauna Niequist in her book Bittersweet

Inspiring Words...

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Dear Reader,

I intend to provide a quote each week which provides some inspiration to me and hopefully to you as well.  I'm starting this week with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt.  My mother supplied me with one of her books in early high school (You Learn by Living), and I recall at the time thinking her wise words were quite compelling and profound.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Abi