By Erin Burns
Following Father Art’s visit and with the beginning of Spring right around the corner, the future was on many of our minds. It was therefore fitting that the theme of the spiritual retreat on March 19th was New Beginnings. From an outside perspective, the activities planned seemed simple, nothing elaborate, nothing extravagant: a few activities held in the classroom we visit every day, with people we see every day. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The spiritual committee did a tremendous job finding activities that even in their simplicity reminded us to of how grateful we ought to be. Beginning with a scavenger hunt which emphasized the unnoticed beauty which surrounds us every day, we took photo documentation of those things we will miss the most, the simple things we never took the time to look at and those which reminds us of the greater world around us. Throughout the rest of the afternoon, our conversation centered around that which we have presently, setting aside that which we desire, and seeing the inspiration in daily life. Now is as good a time as any for one to make the choice for right now to be a new beginning. From everyone in the program, we would like to express our many thanks to the Spiritual Committee. Below can be found a list of quotes which were found, by those participating, to be most inspirational, motivational and applicable within our lives today.
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After a time, you may find that ‘having’ is not so pleasing a thing as ‘wanting’. It is not logical, but it is often true. (Spock)
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act but a habit. (Aristotle)
Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. (Muhammad Ali)
Trust in your heart. Follow the omens. (Anonymous)
The true mystery is in the visible, not the invisible. (Oscar Wilde)
The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not healing, not curing, that is a friend who cares. (Henri Nouwen)
Maybe who we are is not so much defined by what we do but by what we’re capable of when we least expect it. (Jodi Picoult)
Live in the sunshine. Swim the sea. Drink the wild air. (Emerson)
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift. (Steve Prefountaine)
Even if you fall on your face, at least you are still moving forward. (Victor Kiam)
I remember, I remember. The fir trees dark and high. I used to think their slender tops were close against the sky. It was a childish ignorance, but now ‘tis little joy, to know I’m farther off from heaven than when I was a boy. (Thomas Hood)
Here’s some simple advice: Always be yourself, never take yourself too seriously, and beware of advice from experts, pigs and members of parliament. (Kermit the Frog)
I may not have gone where I intended to go but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. (Douglas Adams)
Live everyday to the fullest for today is the youngest you’ll ever be. (Anonymous)
You can be sad because roses have thorns, or you can be happy because thorns have roses. (Tom Wilson)
In the end the little things don’t matter and there are no mistakes, only lessons.
Life is too short to be anything but happy.
The truth of the matter is, people are going to stay in our hearts even if they don’t stay in our lives.
You can’t be old and wise, without first being young and stupid.