May 5, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

The Child Must Know He is a Miracle | Inspirational Quotes and Sayings.

I absolutely think this is one of the very best inspirational quotes! I picked this one up so many years ago… and I believe it has informed my parenting as well as my whole philosophy around raising children. It was also always in the back of mind when I was teaching and advocating for children with special needs and their families.

The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” – Pablo Casals

I have spent a good deal of my adult life raising children. I have some incredible kids that I have have had a hand in raising. I also gave birth to one pretty amazing kid… TWENTY years ago! My son is 20 today. It is really hard for me to believe! It really does seem to be just yesterday when he wasn’t sleeping through the night… when he was toddling around… when he went to school for the first time… when he learned to read… when he started dating… when he graduated from high school… When he moved into his own apartment.

I have spent the last twenty years incredibly happy, sad, worried, delighted, excited, anxious, scared, completely full of joy… and totally in love.

These days, I spend time missing my son… I don’t get to see him as often as I would like… he’s got his own life… a job, a girlfriend… stuff to do. And soon, he’ll be moving much farther away than he is now. When that happens, I think I’ll truly know the sadness of the “empty nest syndrome!” But, it’s okay. He’s doing what he is supposed to do… growing up.

When my boys were little, I used to be so scared when they would climb on things… playground equipment, rocks, etc… I knew that they had to do those things – they had to do these things as a part of their developmental process. So, I used to turn around. I couldn’t watch! I was still right there, but I just couldn’t watch – or I probably would have stopped them from doing those things. Now… my son is getting ready to move out of state… and basically, I just can’t watch! I know he needs to do these things, and I know he’ll be just fine… but if I watch, I might try to stop him… and I know that would be a mistake.

Anyway… I love this inspirational quote because it says something so important. Our children ARE miracles. We MUST do whatever we can to make sure that they know this too! My son is becoming a wonderful adult… and I’m so proud of him. I hope I have done a good job of letting him know that… and making sure he knows what a miracle he really is – Happy Birthday to my miracle! I hope he knows that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.

May 3, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

Leave Room for Wisdom | Inspirational Quotes and Sayings

I’ve decided to get myself a little bit more organized. So, I was searching around on the internet for a daily “to-do” list form – something that could help me focus in a little better on what I need to get done each day. I found this great sheet that has all kinds of little places to write things… including getting stuff done and even a place to track how much water I drink (love this feature!). I really think this sheet will help me stay on track! What I really love about it, though, is there is this place for you to write your daily inspiration, motivation or encouragement… and for me it is a no brainer to use this as a place to write down inspirational quotes and sayings!

Here’s the quote I wrote down for today:

“There is little room left for wisdom when one is filled with judgment.” ~ Malcolm Hein

In some ways this quote seems a little hard-edged… at least to me. I mean, a person reading this might think I was judging them for being judgmental! But that isn’t why I picked this quote. I mean, really… we’re human, after all. That is kind of a function of our ego. I think we should continuously work towards putting aside that function, but the reality is, we aren’t going to escape it – not entirely. And sometimes, we really need to rely on our ability to make judgments. We may prefer to call that discernment, but it is only through our ability to make judgments that we can discern what we want to let into our lives and what we draw boundaries against. That’s healthy.

So, what was I thinking then. How is this an inspirational quote? Well, I wrote it on my to-do list because I want to remember to mind my own business each day. I strive to not sit in a place of judgment of my fellow human beings. Each person has their own struggles, and I know, in my heart of hearts, that each person truly is doing the best they can. Whether I agree with what they are doing, or whether I could get behind what they are doing, or whether I think it is wrong or right… It really isn’t my business. I think I can accomplish more towards my own goals and my own vision and dreams (and gain more wisdom) if I stay focused on myself. And if I have compassion and strive to love others, I can live a happier and more joy-filled life.

But there is another reason I chose this quote to add to my inspirational quotes and sayings list… because I want to remind myself to not be so harsh on myself… to quit being so judgmental of myself. I’m not perfect. And I can’t be. I can only do what I can do each day. I can only set my goals and do what I can each day to move closer to completing them. And I just have to be gentle with myself. When I judge myself, I not only don’t leave room for wisdom, I don’t leave room for me.

So, I hope you will take this for what it is… my pick to post for today in the Inspirational Quotes and Sayings category. Just a gentle reminder to not be so harsh on ourselves, or on others… to leave room for wisdom… and leave room to just be.

Blessings!

May 2, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

Inspirational Quotes and Sayings | Love IS a Miracle Cure

Louise Hay is always one of my go-to people when I’m looking for inspirational quotes and sayings. She offers us so many amazing affirmations that can help us to heal our bodies and lives and to simply feel good. And Louise Hay, as a public figure, as a leader, as an author and more, is a living example of inspiration. Her amazing and inspirational life is a testament to her own belief in the power of love to heal and to create miracles.

This is one of my favorite quotes from Louise Hay, and I chose this picture to represent it because I see love in the golden light surrounding the woman.

When I apply this principle I have found it to be very true in my life. Love really can cure all. I think that if we can stay in our hearts, as we go through our day to day lives, we can create more and better and we will have a positive effect on those we encounter.

When we have challenges that confront us, when we encounter difficulties in dealing with situations or love, I think the best advice is to call on the Creator to help us to breathe in and out… only love. When we can remember to truly love ourselves, we can affect healing in our bodies in ways that seem unbelievable. I’ve seen this work in my own life, and for others.

When you ask to be surrounded in loving light, when you ask for all those you care for to be surrounded in loving light, and when you ask for even those you have difficulties with to be surrounded in loving light, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish… you will be blown away by the incredible things that can happen… you won’t be able to help yourself… you’ll believe in miracles.
In the end, this isn’t simply an inspirational quote or saying… it is a fundamental truth. I do believe that LOVE truly is the great miracle cure. Try it for yourself and see what miracles you can create in your life!

March 5, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

Love Wholeheartedly | Inspirational Quotes and Sayings

I have been collecting inspirational quotes and sayings for many years and have quite a collection! But some of them stay with my heart and in my mind more than others. The sentiment of this inspirational quote by David Steindl-Rast, is so heartfelt that you can’t help but feel lifted up when you hear it. I picked this picture to go with it because it captures the feeling of being surprised and feeling that sense of wonder that little children feel when experiencing the world anew! I hope that this quote and picture pair lifts you up, too!

“Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise then you will discover the fullness of your life.” David Steindl-Rast