Aesop’s Fables

United we stand, divided we fall.

Aesop

What a great reminder from long before I was even a twinkle in my mother’s eye. I grew up watching Aesop’s fables on VHS. I didn’t realize that Aesop was a slave and storyteller from ancient Greece between 620 and 564 BCE!! I thought he was actually the man in the video I played on repeat for years. So I learned something new today. Also if you’re interested his book (like Plutarch’s “Parallel Lives” that I mentioned in another post) is available on Google reads for free. Here’s the link if you’d like to download it.

Touch of Madness

There is no great genius without some touch of madness.

Aristotle

I’m so grateful for the people who’ve loved me through all my stages. I say this because it was during the darkest parts of my life that I began to really focus on my self-study. I know for a fact that I was more well-read when I was at my lowest than at any other time in my life. Now I have to be intentional to get myself to sit still long enough to finish a few pages. I’m just saying, when Aristotle said this, he was right. Nevermind the fact that you have to spend time away from your peers to think clearly, and you have to have a slight obsession to work on something long enough to outshine the rest.

Fire to be Kindled

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.

Plutarch

I haven’t read any Plutarch yet, but I found one of his books titled “Parallel Lives” for free on Google Reads. I have never heard this quote before. Not too long ago, I was looking for the god of shapeshifters in Egypt for the novel I’m working on. I can’t remember who I found, but whoever it was, they had an empty cup on their head which all priests and priestesses wore. After reading some more I learned that it was symbolic for gaining divine wisdom. Priests and priestesses were taught to empty their minds so they can be filled. Which is what the empty cups on their heads stood for. I think that symbolism has its place. Meditation is important for many reasons, but I like this quote for learning. Inspiration is the best way to instill new ideas. Find what lights your fire and use that passion to grow in other areas of your life.

So as for now, Plutarch is in my good graces but let me read more about him and his contributions to this world before I really commit to anything.

Stoics, Roosevelt, Arelius

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.

Theodore Roosevelt

I’m always writing about how important it is to know yourself but I really like how Theodore Roosevelt put it. I feel like this is the type of funny quote the stoics would appreciate. I’ve always founds the Stoics to be an interesting group of people. I’ve been trying to read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. It’s funny every time I open the book, some distraction pops out of nowhere.

Don’t kick yourself too hard, we’re all doing our best out here.

Risk?

I heard somewhere that it may seem like some business professionals are out here taking risks, but the truth is these business professionals know their market. They have done their homework. What the outsider should understand is that business professionals who are hungry enough and passionate enough to make an impact take calculated risks. They spent hours looking at the numbers, reading, meeting, watching, and learning. Whatever it took, they did it. I’m not saying there’s no risk. I’m just saying that their risk is calculated.

There’s always some risk involved when it comes to doing the things you’re passionate about. That’s what makes skilled workers so amazing. They do it regardless of what others may think. And they started knowing nothing just like everyone else.

Fantasy

The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.

Albert Einstein

There’s a lot of great reasons to appreciate fantasy. Here’s one of them.

Above, you see a quote from Einstein appreciating fantasy more than positive knowledge. I think he has left some great footsteps to follow in, even if it’s just for moments in time. We all have our own place in the world, so I don’t think you should follow Einstein over a cliff, but he has earned his place in leadership for sure. All I’m saying is, give your imagination a chance. Let things go against the rules. That’s all we do here: follow rules. Find a place where all these rules don’t apply. Gravity, breathing air, walking to get from point A to point B. Let all that go. Have fun. Appreciate that aspect of your mind that has been gifted to you. Freedom is so much closer than you think.

How NOT to Draw on Disney+

Watching this with my second born, just brought me so much joy. I love this. It reminds me of childhood and there was one episode where the drawing reminds the artist to have fun. It’s too easy to take our work too seriously. Such a fun series and great reminder to writers to let your characters do their thing.

Inspo & Joy

The life experience I intend to have includes inspiration and joy in everything I do. I like to feel those things. I feel good when I experience life that way. What does that mean? It means that I will take time to relish those beautiful moments when joy and inspiration find me. I will create those moments and be grateful when those moments come and go. I will show up with my eyes toward inspiration and joy.

Writing and Holding Your Breath

All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

This quote by Fitzgerald feels so accurate. I’m very much feeling this way with my novel.

There are moments I have breakthroughs and things become more clear to me. That’s when I feel like I’m above water. That must be the writing gods letting me come up for air. As long as I just keep swimming things will come to me and I’ll have a work of art that I can say I’m proud of. Honestly, I’m already proud of this work. I was proud back when I finished it a couple years ago.