Lift up your toes ... one at a time...
June 13, 2016 4:39 PM Subscribe
Looking for inspirational material.
I hesitate to use the word inspirational, as it implies a meaningless aphorism in cursive script on an 80s-ish sunset. So many people I know are are sad and deeply disheartened right now ... what are some ideas - youtube clips, quotations, books, websites, etc - that have an effect of emboldening or comforting?
For an example, this is one of my go-tos.
Best answer: I think (and hope I others agree) that these quotations are emboldening:
“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
“Since I was young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can’t escape that damage. But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend each other”
— Veronica Roth, Allegiant
posted by forthright at 6:05 PM on June 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
“Since I was young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can’t escape that damage. But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend each other”
— Veronica Roth, Allegiant
posted by forthright at 6:05 PM on June 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
I recite this poem to myself. Another Berry poem.
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.
posted by jessamyn at 6:18 PM on June 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.
posted by jessamyn at 6:18 PM on June 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nina Simone Feelin' Good
Sammy Davis Yes I Can
The Ramones I Believe in Miracles
And Brain Pickings is a great website filled with inspiration
posted by brookeb at 7:10 PM on June 13, 2016
Sammy Davis Yes I Can
The Ramones I Believe in Miracles
And Brain Pickings is a great website filled with inspiration
posted by brookeb at 7:10 PM on June 13, 2016
I always found this verse helpful when I was in the depths of depression ... and that was before I knew the origins.
The sun has made a veil of gold
So lovely that my body aches.
Above, the heavens shriek with blue
Convinced I've smiled by some mistake.
The world's abloom and seems to smile,
I want to fly but where, how high?
If in barbed wire, things can bloom
Why couldn't l? I will not die!
posted by kitten magic at 7:54 PM on June 13, 2016
The sun has made a veil of gold
So lovely that my body aches.
Above, the heavens shriek with blue
Convinced I've smiled by some mistake.
The world's abloom and seems to smile,
I want to fly but where, how high?
If in barbed wire, things can bloom
Why couldn't l? I will not die!
posted by kitten magic at 7:54 PM on June 13, 2016
This might not have been your meaning, but this behind-the-scenes video of the 2011 SNL cast somewhat-recreating Robyn's Call Your Girlfriend video makes me laugh and giggle every time I watch it and cheers me up immensely.
posted by hepta at 7:59 PM on June 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hepta at 7:59 PM on June 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This popped up on my Facebook via Sean Astin today:
FRODO: I can’t do this, Sam.
SAM: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened.
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO: What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
posted by sparklemotion at 8:24 AM on June 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
FRODO: I can’t do this, Sam.
SAM: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened.
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO: What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
posted by sparklemotion at 8:24 AM on June 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
I installed a browser extension in Chrome called Momentum that replaces your new browser tag with a lovely graphic, large clock, a line for a "main focus", and an inspirational quote at the bottom of the page that rotates every day. The quotes are normally pretty great.
posted by helloimjennsco at 8:19 AM on June 15, 2016
posted by helloimjennsco at 8:19 AM on June 15, 2016
Best answer: “it is a serious thing // just to be alive / on this fresh morning / in this broken world.” ~ Mary Oliver
posted by j_curiouser at 10:33 AM on June 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by j_curiouser at 10:33 AM on June 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
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Listening to Sweetness Follows by REM feels to me like someone I trust is stroking my hair and telling me it's going to be ok.
For Christians (although I'm atheist and drawn to her), Julian of Norwich expresses hope and optimism - here is a contemporary song framed as a conversation with her. "All will be well, and all will be well, all manner of things shall be well."
And always, there is Wendell Berry. With The Peace of Wild Things he reminds us that giving in to despair is not the same as giving up.
posted by headnsouth at 5:20 PM on June 13, 2016 [1 favorite]