‘A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience’, so said Miguel de Cervantes. This week’s proverb: ‘Good fences make good neighbours.’ ‘A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience’, so said Miguel de Cervantes. This week’s proverb: “You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.” ‘A proverb is […]
In recent times, self-care has become a popular phrase endorsed by many in the media. How helpful is the advice being offered? With quotes from Wordsworth, Eliot & more Paying attention to what we say allows us to gain insight and promote change through our speech. With quotes from Heschel, Orwell & Eadie. The difference […]
Proverbs are nuggets of wisdom, passed down through centuries which we can still learn from today. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” We’re constantly concerned with how other people view us and the general state of our regality. Why are we so scared of appearing foolish? With quotes from Wilde & […]
In his 2004 paper, George A. Bonanno looks at resilience and how many professionals dismiss or underestimate it. He asks- does everyone need help? Proverbs are nuggets of wisdom, passed down through centuries which we can still learn from today. ‘The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions.’ If you aren’t certain of God’s […]
Spells of darkness last a lifetime. Time becomes our tormentor, crawling from second to second, minute to minute. We watch time as if waiting for the exact moment we will be freed from the agony. Ever the mocker, time appears to stand still, leaving us suspended in our anguish. These kinds of lows, where time […]
Although a characteristic often associated with the downtrodden, humility is in fact a gift granted to those willing to keep their eyes open to blinding light. Instead of the punishing thought process, perhaps we can do better. The final step being, we forgive ourselves. With quotes from Shakespeare, Buechner & more.
Marcus Aurelius’ ‘Meditations’ is widely considered one of most valuable Philosophical collections to date. He served as Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 A.D, and it is during this time that he wrote the contents of Meditations. Aurelius never meant for his writings to be published, they were private accounts, aimed to aid personal development […]
The transience of life looms over us, leaving us with a very clear impression of the time constraints we are all under. Because of the pressure that comes with mortality, there is a panic to obtain and achieve everything we desire, right now. That sense of urgency and anxiety to fulfil what we desire is […]
‘Leisure time’ is a relatively new idea, and what it involves has changed dramatically. Does ‘leisure’ suit you? Quotes from H. Smith, H. Arendt & more. What should we do in times of exhaustion? Perhaps ‘nothing’, is not the right answer. With quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald, Joseph Addison & Charles Mackay. When we carry […]
Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) is credited with saying that ‘a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience’. Proverbs are often centuries old, providing us with global wisdom’s that have remained relevant throughout time. “An old poacher makes the best gamekeeper” A version of this proverb appears as far back as 1390, […]
In Other Words is an exploration of ideas that examine and discuss life and how we live it. You will see from my posts that I am inspired by studying Philosophy, Literature, Psychology, Theology, Mythology, Art etc., and I am constantly learning by doing so. In my own life I found the ideas I was […]
“One can do nothing better than endure what cannot be cured…” Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, 63-65 AD, Letter CVII We will all experience times when there’s no bright side, no silver lining. Things may appear grim or difficult, and in reality, they may be so! We’re forced to simply sit and bathe in confusion, […]
William Bell Scott, 1860, Una and the Lion It’s a survival instinct, a warning of risk. But we also know that fear can take on a life of its own. When fear takes over and goes beyond its natural, practical function, it is never in proportion to what we are fearful of. It’s a consuming […]
Envy or Emulation | In Other Words
“I know the hatred and envy of your hearts. Ye are not great enough not to know of hatred and envy. Then be great enough not to be ashamed of them!” (Friedrich Nietzsche, 1891, Thus Spake Zarathustra, War and Warriors) Anonymous, 1796, British Museum The Grimm’s German dictionary compiled in the 19th century provided the […]