Sunday, January 16, 2011
My favorite saying is…
What is my favorite saying? It’s hard to choose! Words inspire me—especially words that are spoken or written well—so there are many quotes or sayings that I have kept close to my heart. Gilbert Keith Chesterton was a brilliant writer and thinker, and his words alone make up many of my favorite quotes. Recently, as I’ve been writing a fairy tale type of story, I’ve kept this one close at hand:
“Fairy tales don’t tell children that dragons exist; they tell children that dragons can be defeated.”
In life, a dragon can be just about anything or anyone—a subject in school that you’re struggling with, a bully, some injustice that makes you angry. It may seem insurmountable, but it’s not. Dragons—real or imagined—are not invincible. It may take all of your strength, all of your courage, and all of your creativity, but these are the weapons you need to slay any foul beast. And guess what? You already possess them!
So sharpen them, practice with them, and wield them carefully.
All my love,
Aunt Sarah
Sunday, January 16, 2011
My favorite saying is…
To Hannah, Colton, Clayton, Amber, Mikayla, Daniel, Joy, Tanner, & Teagan:
What is my favorite saying? It’s hard to choose! Words inspire me—especially words that are spoken or written well—so there are many quotes or sayings that I have kept close to my heart. Gilbert Keith Chesterton was a brilliant writer and thinker, and his words alone make up many of my favorite quotes. Recently, as I’ve been writing a fairy tale type of story, I’ve kept this one close at hand:
“Fairy tales don’t tell children that dragons exist; they tell children that dragons can be defeated.”
In life, a dragon can be just about anything or anyone—a subject in school that you’re struggling with, a bully, some injustice that makes you angry. It may seem insurmountable, but it’s not. Dragons—real or imagined—are not invincible. It may take all of your strength, all of your courage, and all of your creativity, but these are the weapons you need to slay any foul beast. And guess what? You already possess them!
So sharpen them, practice with them, and wield them carefully.
All my love,
Aunt Sarah
You know, it never fails when I’m having a bad day you write something encouraging…even if it wasn’t intended for me.
It was intended for you–even if I didn’t know it.
Keep slaying those dragons, girl.
I love this quote, too!
Hi Sarah,
It really is hard to think of a favorite. While some attribute this little gem to Benjamin Franklin, I first found it as said by Thomas Paine, one of the founders of the patriot news letter “Common Sense”:
“Gentlemen we must all hang together or we shall most assuredly all hang separately.”
I don’t know who to believe unless I find it in an old history book somewhere. But in this day and age, it’s still good advice.
Shalom
Steve